Objectives and Goals Defined

Often times students (meaning college students) are not sure of the difference between goals and objectives. Sometimes paid teachers are not sure either ;-)

Take a look at this very precise comparison piece written by Professor Susan Ronan, a Buffalo State professor.

• Goals are broad, objectives are narrow. Example: Goal: Jimmy should learn how to read vs. Objective: Jimmy will learn the sounds associated with all 26 letters


• Goals are general intentions; objectives are precise. Example: Goal: It would be nice to have a laptop in my classroom vs. Objective: By the end of next month I will submit the ISTE grant for a classroom laptop.


• Goals are intangible; objectives are tangible. Example: Goal: My students will use the Internet for learning vs. Objective: My students used starfall.com to learn words that contain the short e sound and printed their assessment results.


• Goals are abstract; objectives are concrete. Example: Goal: The Internet can help kids communicate vs. Objective: Students used epals.com to communicate with their peers in France.
  


• Goals can't be validated as is; objectives can be validated. Example: Goal: Reader Rabbit software helps students prepare for third grade vs. Objective: After using Reader Rabbit for five months, Sally's math test scores rose from an average of 45% correct to an average of 73% correct.