SMART goals

1. Student Learning Goals and Student Learning Portfolios
What are SMART goals?
Specific
Measurable
Actions
Realistic
Timely
Think about the purpose and pedagogy
relating to Learning Portfolios
Who is responsible for Learning Goals?
How will students reflect on their work
How do students use Learning Portfolios to show evidence of learning or achieving
Learning Goals
Smart Goals - Specific
A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set
a specific goal you must answer the six "W" questions:
Who: Who is involved?
What: What do I want to accomplish? (could link to a VELS domain Melbourne Goals)
Where: Identify a location
When: Establish a time frame
Which: Identify requirements and constraints
Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal, could relate to a VELS
progression point.
Example:
I would like to be better at …. because …….
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2. Student Learning Goals and Student Learning Portfolios
Smart Goals - Measurable
Your goal should be such that when you are through you have some tangible evidence of
completion. Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of
each goal you set.
To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as......
How much?
How many?
How will I know when it is accomplished?
Map your progress by including and linking to evidence in your learning portfolio.
Example:
I know I will have achieved my goal when I …..
I will know that I am improving when …..
Smart Goals – Actions
You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time
frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Your goal should be set by you rather by
someone else.
You know best your strengths and weaknesses, and can use this information to maximise
your chance of success.
Example:
I can achieve my goal by ….. (outline your strategy)
Smart Goals – Realistic
Don’t plan to do things if you are unlikely to follow through. Better to plan only a few things
and be successful than to plan many and be unsuccessful. Success breeds success!
Start small, with what you can do, experience the joys of meeting your goal, and then
increase the amount of challenge you give yourself.
Example:
I can seek help from …..
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3. Student Learning Goals and Student Learning Portfolios
I will aim to complete by … then (set short term successes)
The first thing I can do is ….. the second thing I can to is …
Smart Goals – Timely
A goal should be grounded within a time frame.
With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency.
Example:
I will achieve my goal by …..(set milestone dates)
I will achieve my goal by …..(set an end date)
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