USING LEARNING TARGETS TO GUIDE INSTRUCTION AND IMPROVE STUDENT

LEARNING
Lyndsey Douglas
Jefferson Elementary School, North Platte Public Schools
Under the Supervision of Julie Martin

Learning targets are the key to making learning more meaningful, and meaningful learning leads
to better student achievement. Teachers and administrators are continuously searching for new
methods of teaching to help students connect to and retain their knowledge. Using learning
targets to set goals for students and staff promote student learning. The purpose of this project is
to study whether the implementation of learning targets in the classroom leads to improved
student learning as well as improved teacher instruction. During this research project, a class of
2nd grade students was exposed to various ways of instruction, challenged with setting goals for
themselves, used self-assessments, and routinely reflected over their learning. Students were
surveyed, observed, and tested and all data was compiled and reviewed. The results of this
project showed that this group of 2nd grade students took ownership over their learning,
improved their academics, and enjoyed learning with the use of learning targets. The more
active they were in the learning process, the more knowledge they gained.