Learning Goals

and
Success Criteria

October 2010
 Why Are Learning
Objectives Important?

‘If learners are to take more responsibility for their own learning,
then they need to know
what they are going to learn?
why they should learn it in the first place?
how they will recognise when they have succeeded ?
 Student Learning

Learning
Objective
LEARNING Success Criteria
HOW
WHAT and WHY
 Writing Learning
Objectives
• Objectives are built around active
verbs that are measurable
 Tips for Learning
Objectives
• Achievable
• Measurable
• Clear and focused
• Be clear about what you want student to :
- Know (Knowledge)
- Do (competence)
- Understand (concept)
- Keep them separate from the activities
• Use active ther than passive verbs
• Ensure that they are the focus for teaching and
learning
• Make sure your students are able to explain what
they are trying to learn and why.
• Ensure that your questioning and explaining lesson
is focused on the Learning Objectives.
• Refer to your Learning Objectives and measure
progress toward them throughout the lesson.
Why Are Learning Objectives and
Success Criteria Important?
‘If learners are to take more responsibility for their own learning,
then they need to know what they are going to learn, how they will
recognise when they have succeeded and why they should learn it in
the first place.’
- (An Intro to AfL, Learning Unlimited, 2004)

Learning
Objectives Success Criteria
‘How to recognise success’
‘What’ and ‘Why’
 Tips for Using Learning
Goals Effectively
• Start small
• Separate the learning goal from the activity
instructions
• Tell pupils why they are learning it
• Use child-friendly language
• Ensure that students understand the language used
• Make it visible in the classroom – ensure that it is
displayed throughout the learning
• Allow time for discussion with students
 What are
Success Criteria?
Success criteria are ‘I can’ statements that
specifically outline what the students need
to do in order to achieve their learning
objectives.

Success criteria summarize the key steps the

student needs in order to fulfill the learning
Objectives– the main things to do, include or
focus on.
Effective Success Criteria Need To Be :

• Link to LO
• Specific to an activity
• Shared and explain with students
• Reffered to regularly throughout the
lesson
• Used as the basis for assessment and
feedback
 Why are Success
Criteria Important?
• Improve understanding
• Empower students
• Encourage independent learning
• Enable accurate feedback
• Enable students to be accountable for
their learning
* It is an easy way for teachers to use the
curriculum documents effectively and be
accountable for your teaching *
 Tips for Success Criteria
• Are displayed and communicated in student- friendly
language.
• Are linked to the LO and tell students what they need to
do to achieve the LO.
• May be differentiated to ensure that all pupils can make
progress towards the LO.
• Are the reminders for areas students need to focus on to
produce good quality work – specific, chronological steps to
success – I can, I will be successful if, important / key
things I need to remember…..
• Allow students to predict and measure their own success
and the success of their peers. Time is built in to the lesson
for reflection.
• Are created with the students.
• If ask the student can explain what they need to do to
demonstrate success.
• Are regularly referred to troughout the lesson.
• Form the basis of classroom dialogue,question and oral
feedback to whole class and also groups and individual
students when the teacher circulates during the lesson.
• Provide the key focus for assessment
and feedback
 Sharing Success Criteria

Share at the beginning of the lesson and

Revisit

• During the lesson for students to check their progress- before

and after each activity
• At the end in your plenary session
 Writing Effective Success Criteria
It is helpful for students if you use the phrases:
“You will be successful if…”
“Remember to….”
“ I can…”
Make Sure it is :
• S – Specific
• M- Measurerable
• A- Achievable
• R- Relevant
• T- Time Bound