Setting goals to Empower the Individual

There have been many positive changes within education that focus on the individual student, rather than the class as a whole. With these changes, educators have seen their students take learning into their own hands and push to achieve goals they feel can be reachable, while also giving them a challenge to go above their typical learning limits. In the book, Adventures in Authentic Learning by author Kristin Harrington, Harrington dedicates a passage on pages 4-6  to “Goal Setting for Empowerment.” As a future educator, this passage is crucial in establishing ways to encourage students to transform into leaders, rather than listeners or followers, and have a say in how/what they learn. This is developed through goals and Harrington gives great ways on how to implement them in the classroom.

Every student learns differently, what may be beneficial for some students may not be as favorable to others. When having students set goals, it is important to give options on how and where these goals can be accessed. Some students may prefer their goals to be written, others might rather see their goals through pictures or drawings, while another group of students do best hearing their goals out loud. There are so many incredible resources, whether it be through technology or what can be used within the classroom, students have the ability to decide what works best for them. Let’s get into some ways students can create their goals, that correlate with how they learn best:

A great way for students to see their goals is by creating vision boards, or also known as idea boards. Educators can encourage their students to find pictures and/or create drawings that show what their goals are. For example, if a student's goal is to do well on their science labs, they could draw beakers with A+s in them and have an arrow pointing to a happy face. Another way to lay out this goal could be to find a picture of a scientist or other students working on an experiment. This can help students visualize the goal they want to achieve, instilling motivation for them to feel the same way as the students pictured. 

Another incredible way for students to lay out their goals is on websites like Animoto. Students are able to create their own videos through a safe space and in any form that fits their way of learning best, while implementing their goals. This allows them to not only see their goals, but to also hear them. They can incorporate their own voices to an Animoto video, while also having the option to add music or better yet, their favorite song. 

In Kristin Harrington’s book, she also provides a great example for students who want to read their goals, by creating goal cubes. Students can have the option to have wooden cubes where they write their goals on each flat side of the cube, or they can build their own with paper or card stock. The idea of having something they can carry with them or have at their desks is a great way to keep reminding them of their goals. Students can get creative by writing out their goals in different colors or maybe even in a plain color, but adding drawings or colors around their written goal. 

It is important to note that while giving students the freedom to create goals they can strive to achieve for the week, month, or year - goals need to be measurable and guided with an educator on what is important/appropriate in the classroom. After these goals are discussed and made, it is essential that students revisit and reflect on them. Educators can include time in their lesson plans for regular check-ins on their goals. This time can also allow students to share their progress with classmates, teachers, guardians, and other school staff outside of their immediate classroom group.