Definition Aims

Aims are general statements that provide direction or intent to educational action.
Aims are usually written in amorphous terms using words like: learn, know, understand, appreciate, and these are not directly measurable. Aims may serve as organizing principles of educational direction for more than one grade. Indeed these organizing principles may encompass the continuum of educational direction for entire programs, subject areas or the district.

Example
Students will understand and become proficient at identifying the different types of spoken English.

Goals

Goals are statements of educational intention which are more specific than aims. Goals too may encompass an entire
program, subject area, or multiple grade levels. They may be in either amorphous language or in more specific behavioral terms.

Students will be able to identify and use American slang terms and phrases. (This example is a subset of the aim above, but the area becomes more specific. This goal moves from generic spoken English to the more detailed area of American slang. One verb used is still identify, although this goal

Objectives

does not specify how students are to identify, and the verb use has been added. The objectives related to this goal should specify how the students will identify and use new knowledge.) Objectives are usually specific statements of Objectives can be written in a educational intention which delineate either number of ways. Currently, general or specific outcomes. most objectives are written in behavioral terms. Behavioral There are advantages and disadvantages to objectives usually employ observable verbiage and can different types of objectives. be divided into specific domains -- cognitive, Behavioral objectives affective, and physical. o Holistic objectives Nonbehavioral objectives Samples: o Problem solving objectives o Expressive activities that lead Cognitive: Students

to expressive outcomes.

*Note: The examples to the right are meant to be a bit silly intentionally as to help my students remember them. Of course I would not do this in a classroom!

will identify and list 5 slang terms they have heard from their peers. Affective: Student will choose 3 of the most offensive slang terms from a list developed by the entire class. Physical: Students will create expressive gestures to go with their favorite slang terms.

http://www4.uwsp.edu/education/Lwilson/CURRIC/chart.htm

Aims are what you want to achieve, while, objectives are what you will do to achieve them. An objective is more specific in character, while an aim is more abstract. Also, an objective is timebound whereas an aim need not be.

There is a lot of confusion over the difference between these words. Many consider aims and objective to be synonyms, however, that is not the case.

Aim: Aim is setting a determined course in order to achieve a set target. Aims are usually long term. Ex: The person aims to acquire the required doctorate to become a doctor.

Objective: An objective is a more specific target set in order to achieve the goal. It must usually be completed in a particular time limit. Ex: The person should begin his doctorate studies by next year.

The main difference between aims and objectives is that an objective is generally more specific as compared to an aim. An aim can be slightly vague. It can be a general statement. However, an objective must be as specific as it can be. For example, an aim for a company would be to increase sales. However, an objective would be to increase sales by 10% within the next financial year.

Thus is can be said that an objective is SMART in character. SMART stands for specification, measurement, accuracy, reason and time. However, an aim need not fit all these categories.

So in summary: Aims are what you want to achieve, while, objectives are what you will do to achieve them. An objective is more specific in character, while an aim is more abstract. Also, an objective is time-bound whereas an aim need not be.

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Differences Between Aims, Goals & Objectives

By Elizabeth Burns, eHow Contributor

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Aims, goals and objectives aid focus and determination.

Aims, goals and objectives help to make dreams come true but, although interrelated, there are distinctions between them. Aims relate to the end results but goals and objectives help achieve these results. Goals are abstract, while objectives are more tangible and concrete, the San Diego State University explains. Someone who aims to become rich beyond his wildest dreams. for example, might have the overall goal of winning the lottery, while his main objective would be to buy a lottery ticket.
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Aims, Goals and Objectives

Aims, Goals & Objectives of Education

1. Aims
o

Aims tend to be more general than goals and objectives, because the latter terms relate to more specific tasks, while aims refer to the end results. A history teacher, for example, might aim to give his students a comprehensive overview of American history, while an immediate goal might be to educate them about events leading up to the American civil war. Aims aren't necessarily accompanied by goals and objectives, particularly if someone stating an aim doesn't follow

through with it. Someone might state that she aims to be a successful entrepreneur, for example, without setting the goals and objectives that would enable her to achieve this.

Goals
o

Goals are clear statements of intent and are more specific than aims. A company, for example, might have an overall aim to increase profits and, in order to achieve this, set a clear goal to increase profits by 25 percent within a specific time frame. Sponsored Links

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Objectives
o

Objectives are the activities carried out to bring aims and goals to fruition. Someone whose overall goal is to get a more rewarding job, for example, would have a set of objectives that help him to achieve this. Such objectives might include sending letters out to companies he wants to work for, brushing up on interview techniques and learning skills or obtaining qualifications that would increase his employment prospects.

Connections
o

Aims, goals and objectives are linked because all three concern future intentions and all three must be set in motion if plans are to have a realistic chance of succeeding. Someone who sets a goal is unlikely to carry it out if she doesn't plan and implement the necessary practical objectives that will help her to achieve her goal.

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