Aims/Objectives

in Teaching
Chris Kyriacou, Essential. Teaching Skills. Third
Edition.
Pages: 20-21

Selection of Aim/Objective
Clear

aim relates to clear learning outcomes

which can usefully be analysed in terms of
the
1. development of pupils knowledge 1
2. understanding2
3. skills3 and attitudes4
1. Factual information that a person knows
2. Know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
3. An ability that has been acquired by training to provide solutions
4. A complex mentalstate involving beliefs and feelings and values
and dispositions to act in certain ways

Planning

with a proper aim/aims

is extremely important, because
a teacher inevitably (unavoidably)
has a range of outcomes in mind for
a particular lesson,
the outcomes intended may differ
markedly between the pupils in the
class.

Lessons Objective/Aims
Intellectual Development
knowledge,
understanding
and skills

Social Development

growth in pupils self-esteem

and self-confidence in
themselves as learners

an increased positive attitude

towards the subject

Esteem: To regard some thing

valuable

a greater maturity in their

behaviour and interactions with
others in the class

Confidence: Expression of feeling of

certainty
Attitude: State of mind
Maturity: State of full development

Major

educational aim/objective

Develop

an understanding of the
concept in our class

Other aims/objectives
Intention

to give a particular able

pupil the opportunity to do some
extended work on the topic
Intention to help and encourage a
pupil who has been showing a lack of
interest

Teachers use of objectives in planning

Educational objectives is an essential

aspect of planning.
Research output:
Many

teachers do not start their planning

of lessons by identifying educational
objectives and then designing a lesson to
deliver these objectives.

Many

teachers may plan lessons without

having clear learning outcomes in mind.

Chris

feels that in planning a lesson,

Less attention is given for the
educational objectives however Greater
attention given to description of the
activities.
Research evidence:
Teachers

do think about educational

objectives in planning their lessons

This

is seen when they talk about the

thinking that occurs during and after the
lesson.

Educational objective will

show how teachers articulate
(say/tell) their thoughts to
others/students