A teaching target, often referred to as a learning target, is a clearly defined goal that specifies what students should know and be able to do by the end of a lesson, unit, project, or course. These targets are designed to be student-friendly and are typically framed as "I can" statements.
Key Features of a Teaching Target
- Student-Friendly Language: Learning targets are written in simple, accessible language that students can easily understand.
- "I can" Statements: They usually begin with "I can," followed by an action verb and a specific concept or skill.
- Concrete Goals: They focus on measurable outcomes, making it clear what success looks like.
- Visible in the Classroom: Learning targets are often posted prominently in the classroom so both students and teachers can refer to them.
Examples of Teaching Targets
Here are some examples to illustrate how teaching targets are structured:
- "I can identify the main characters in a story."
- "I can solve multi-digit multiplication problems."
- "I can explain the process of photosynthesis."
- "I can write a well-structured paragraph with a clear topic sentence."
Benefits of Using Teaching Targets
Using teaching targets can:
- Provide Clarity: Help students understand the purpose of the lesson and what is expected of them.
- Focus Learning: Help teachers design instruction that is focused on specific outcomes.
- Guide Assessment: Serve as a basis for assessing student understanding and progress.
- Increase Engagement: Make learning more meaningful and engaging for students.
- Track Progress: Allow students to monitor their learning and progress toward mastering specific goals.
How Teaching Targets Differ From Learning Objectives
While often used interchangeably, teaching targets are sometimes considered a more student-friendly version of learning objectives. They typically focus on the student’s perspective (what I can do) rather than the teacher's perspective (what will be covered).
| Feature | Learning Objective | Teaching Target |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Teacher's Perspective | Student's Perspective |
| Language | More formal | Student-Friendly |
| Structure | Variable | "I can" statement |
In conclusion, a teaching target is a concrete, student-friendly statement that specifies what a student should be able to do by the end of a given learning period. According to the provided source, "Learning targets are concrete goals written in student-friendly language that clearly describe what students will learn and be able to do by the end of a class, unit, project, or even a course. They begin with an “I can” statement and are posted in the classroom."
