Alisya Reviana

5B

Summary

PLANNING YOUR COURSE FROM GOALS AND OUTCOMES

Creating a Clear Path for Learning

Designing a successful course starts with a solid foundation: well-defined goals and
outcomes. This guide will walk you through the key steps in shaping your course from these
critical building blocks.

A. Concise Course Description: Setting the Stage

Imagine your course as a journey; your description is the map. This brief overview should tell
students:

 Who it's for: Define your target audience and their existing skills.
 Where it leads: Summarize the course goals and main topics covered.
 How they'll get there: Hint at your teaching methods and learning strategies.

A clear description creates expectations and motivates students by showing them what they'll
gain from the course.

B. Mapping Goals to Elements: Making the Connection

Goals are broad aspirations, but your curriculum needs specifics. Mapping involves linking
each goal to concrete elements:

 Content: Choose topics and materials that directly address your goals.
 Teaching methods: Select interactive activities and assessments that solidify
learning.
 Learning activities: Design assignments and exercises that help students achieve the
goals.

This mapping ensures everything in your course seamlessly contributes to achieving desired
learning outcomes.
C. Writing Specific Learning Outcomes: Seeing is Believing

Learning outcomes are the measurable milestones students reach on their journey. Make them
clear and action-oriented by using verbs like "analyze," "evaluate," or "demonstrate."

Example:

 Course Goal: "Understand the principles of social psychology."

 Learning Outcome: "Students can identify and explain different types of social
influence."

These outcomes give students and you a shared understanding of what success looks like.

D. Fitting Goals into a Timeline: Plotting the Course

Divide your course into lessons – mini-adventures within the larger journey. Each lesson
should focus on one or two goals and include activities, assessments, and resources. Consider
factors like:

 Complexity of the topic: Give challenging areas more time.

 Student needs: Adjust for different learning styles and paces.
 Onsite sessions: Organize lessons around in-person meetings if applicable.

A well-paced timeline keeps students engaged and ensures they have enough time to master
each goal.

E. Planting Goals on Your Course Website: Guiding the Way

Integrate your learning goals and outcomes seamlessly into your online platform. This fosters
transparency and keeps students on track:

 Prominently display: Make goals and outcomes easily accessible on the website.
 Link to resources: Provide supplemental materials for each goal, like readings or
videos.
 Schedule and reminders: Use the website calendar to highlight deadlines and goal
milestones.