In curriculum development, SMART is an acronym used to guide the creation of effective learning objectives and goals. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant (or Results-oriented), and Time-bound. Applying the SMART framework ensures that curriculum goals are well-defined, practical, and designed to lead to demonstrable progress within a set timeframe.
Here's a breakdown of each component:
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Specific: A SMART goal should be clear and unambiguous. It answers the questions: Who? What? Where? Why? Instead of a vague objective like "improve writing skills," a specific goal would be "Students will be able to write a five-paragraph essay with a clear thesis statement and supporting evidence."
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Measurable: You should be able to track progress and determine when the goal has been achieved. This requires establishing criteria for measuring success. For example, "Students will increase their writing scores by 10% on standardized tests" or "Students will correctly identify and use five different types of figurative language in their writing."
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Attainable: The goal should be challenging but realistic. Consider the resources available, student abilities, and time constraints. Setting unattainable goals can lead to frustration and discouragement. For example, expecting all students to achieve a perfect score on every assessment is likely unattainable.
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Relevant (or Results-oriented): The goal should align with the overall curriculum objectives and be meaningful to the students' learning experiences. It should contribute to their broader educational development and be worthwhile to pursue. A relevant goal ensures that the learning is purposeful and connected to real-world applications.
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Time-bound: A deadline should be set for achieving the goal. This creates a sense of urgency and helps with planning and monitoring progress. For instance, "Students will achieve a passing grade on a research paper by the end of the semester."
Example of a SMART Curriculum Goal:
Instead of: "Improve students' understanding of fractions."
A SMART goal would be: "By the end of the unit on fractions (Time-bound), 80% of students (Measurable) will be able to correctly solve addition and subtraction problems involving fractions with common denominators (Specific), demonstrating their ability to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios (Relevant), which will improve their overall math skills and prepare them for more advanced concepts (Attainable)."
By implementing SMART goals, educators can design more effective and impactful curriculum, leading to better student outcomes.
