Setting+Objectives

The instructional strategy of setting objectives focuses on establishing a direction for learning. Technology can enhance the goal-setting process by providing organizational and communication tools that make it easier to clarify and communicate the learning objectives for teachers, students and parents.
 * Setting Objectives:**


 * Word Processing Applications**
 * Create a web based KWHL for setting lesson objectives and communicate these goals with students and parents.
 * Create a learning contract template and store on a server for students to complete.
 * Use [|zoho.com] (more features and more complex) or [|docs.google.com] (Google Docs: write, share and edit) to create online documents or spreadsheets. These tools also allow students to collaborate and share with each other.


 * Organizing and Brainstorming Software**
 * Use [|Inspiration] ( Grades 5-12) or
 * [|Kidspiration] (grades K-4) for students to plan and organize their thoughts at the beginning of a unit, during instruction and after a unit about what they want to learn. Students can ask questions and find answers to such personalized questions as: What do you know? What do you want to know? How will you find out? What did you learn?
 * The above questions could also be used for students preparing to read a book.
 * There are many templates already created in Inspiration and Kidspiration such as Goal Planning and Setting.
 * For free concept mapping software that is incredibly flexible but easy to use, look at [|CMap tools from IHMC].
 * A great tool for secondary level students is Freemind.[|Link here]
 * Collaborative brainstorming - [|Bubbl.us] . How to [|video.]
 * More collaborative brainstorming, but with a free application (works like Inspiration) [|Gliffy].
 * Access brainstorming maps anywhere and work online with colleagues with [|Mindmeister].
 * Share your [|Mindomo] maps online providing students a direct link to your map or by embedding your map into an existing webpage.
 * Thinking Guides with [|Exploratree].
 * [|Text2MindMap] for students/teachers who prefer text.
 * Large online archive on mind maps on [|Mappio].
 * [|SMART ideas] concept mapping software.

These are subscription based sites that provide simple instructions for performing a variety of tasks with many programs available for use.
 * Step by Step Instructions for Using Software** (p. 14)
 * Atomic Learning ([|www.atomiclearning.com])
 * Recipes4Success ([|www.myt41.com])


 * Data Collection Tools**
 * Collect data with online surveys to engage students and gather information to guide instruction on a particular unit. Pre-assessment surveys can assess student prior knowledge, identify misconceptions, and focus class objectives based on student feedback.

Free or inexpensive online surveys:
 * [|Zoomerang]
 * [|Poll Everywhere]
 * [|Survey Monkey]
 * [|Battle of Leyte Gulf]
 * [|Pollcat]
 * [|Profiler Pro]
 * [|myUTIPS] Utah Test Item Pool Server
 * [|Limesurvey]
 * [|INTEL K-12 Learning Tools]
 * Even more Quiz and Test tools, Poll and Survey tools HERE


 * Web Resources / Online Rubric Creation**
 * Access Student standards online, transform them into objectives . ..

[|Utah K-12 Core Curriculum Standards and Objectives] [|Verizon Thinkfinity] find quality, standards-based and research-based educational and literacy resources [|McREL’s Compendium of Standards] [|Developing Educational Standards] by subject and state [|LearnAlberta] [|Student friendly outcomes] (Alberta)
 * Now that your unit objectives are set, you can communicate them to your students by creating or finding a rubric to guide the learning criteria for a student learning for a lesson, test, project or product.

[|UEN Rubric Tool] [|Kathy Schrock Guide for Rubrics] Online [|blogging] rubric [|Blog reflection rubric] [|Digital Age assessment] - Learning in Web 2.0 slideshare by Harry G. Tuttle [|Rubrics for Web Lessons] [|Quality Rubrics for any lesson] - generic rubrics provided so that teachers can customize them [|Landmark Project Rubric Machine] - by David Warlick [|TeAchnology Web Portal for Educators] [|Technology Rich Classrooms]

Blogs and e-mail provide another way to set and communicate goals and objectives in the classroom.
 * Communication Software**
 * Blogs
 * Blogging 101 - includes a list of 100s of blogs in specific categories.
 * [|Edublogs] blogging for teachers and students.
 * [|Blogger]
 * [|21classes]