Goal Setting and Task Analysis

Goal-Setting and Task Analysis Fall 2012 ASPSA Learning Services Bradley Bethel August 12, 2013

Objectives Discuss the meaning of and reasons for goal-setting. Define the characteristics of effective goals. Explain the steps of effective goal-setting. Analyze, evaluate, and improve several tools for helping students set goals and analyze tasks.

Source Dembo, M. H. & Seli, H. (2013). Motivation and learning strategies for college success: A focus on selfregulated learning (4th ed.). New York: Routledge.

Why goals? What defines a goal? What does it mean to set goals? Why set goals?

Goal-Setting: The Whats and Whys

What are goals? A goal is whatever a person is trying to accomplish. Goal-setting is the process of establishing a standard of accomplishment or performance.

Why set goals? People who set goals generally outperform those who do not set goals. In other words, one is more likely to perform well when he or she sets goals. As a planning process, goal-setting adds meaning to peoples lives and sets up positive expectations. Goal-setting may also counteract boredom and apathy for a task by providing a sense of challenge and purpose.

A goal without a plan is just a dream.

Types of Goals Daily Tasks/Goals Intermediate Goals Long-range Goals

Types of Goals,Cont. Long-range goals describe what you want to accomplish. Intermediate goals and daily tasks show you how to do it. Long-range goals refer to goals to be met more than a year in the future. Intermediate goals refer to goals to be met from a week to a year in the future. Daily tasks are, well, self-explanatory.

Effective Goals

Goal Properties Specificity: set clear performance standards Proximity: the extent to which goal extend into the future Difficulty: the level of effort required to accomplish the goal

SMART Goals Specific: describes what one hopes to accomplish with as much detail as possible Measurable: describes the goal in terms that can be clearly evaluated Action-oriented: identifies a goal that focuses on actions rather than personal qualities Realistic: identifies a goal that is actually attainable Timely: identifies a goal that breaks a longer-term goal into shorter-term goal(s) and specifies a completion date

The Goal-Setting Process

Steps to Setting Goals 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Identify and define the goal. Generate and evaluate alternative plans. Make an implementation plan. Implement the plan. Evaluate progress.

Goal-Setting and Task Analysis Tools Assignment Analysis Tool Test Analysis Tool Goal-Setting Tool

Conclusion During this workshop, we accomplished the following objectives: Discuss the meaning of and reasons for goal-setting. Define the characteristics of effective goals. Explain the steps of effective goal-setting. Analyze, evaluate, and improve several tools for helping students set goals and analyze tasks.