The material is a web page in MindTools.com, “one of the Internet’s most visited career skills resources.” The page is entitled Personal Goal Setting, and it explains the purpose and benefits of setting goals. Techniques for developing goals also are presented. Specific focus is placed on setting personal and lifetime goals.
Type of Material:
Reference Material/Tutorial
Recommended Uses:
The material could be used in several different ways. First, it could be used as a supporting reference in a career counseling course or setting. Second, it could be used as a supporting reference/resource for any course that covers the topic of motivation or goal setting. It could appear as a reference link on a course web page or it could be incorporated as background material for an assignment (e.g., students might be asked to read the material and practice developing a SMART goal).
Technical Requirements:
Computer, internet access and Adobe Flash Player
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Students will:
1. Be able to define goal setting
2. Understand the purpose of goal setting and the benefits associated with setting goals
3. Understand techniques for developing goals (e.g., SMART)
Target Student Population:
College students who can benefit from learning more about goal setting (likely most appropriate at the undergraduate level though anyone interested in learning more about goal setting can benefit from reviewing the material)
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The information is helpful to many individuals for a variety of reasons. It can help the individuals obtain direction and guidance to reach their goals.
The SMART technique is quite popularly applied, and this material provides a useful illustration.
Concerns:
To incorporate this material as part of an actual course assignment, instructors would have to develop instructions. The MindTools material represents a self-contained reference with a clear learning purpose, but using it in the context of a formal class assignment would require the development of some additional guidance for students.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The material is professionally presented. It incorporates a series of sections that build upon one another (e.g., achieving more with focus, starting to set personal goals, etc.) and even contains a brief video (3:23) to reinforce key points.
Concerns:
Instructors who use the material as part of a course assignment may wish to write instructions that assist students in making the material discipline-specific. For example, what sort of goals might business & management students be asked to write?
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The material is easy-to-understand and concisely presented with an application-oriented focus.
• The embedded video adds visual interest and engages the learner.
• Links embedded in the material take learners to additional MindTools sites that will help them complete the steps involved in developing goals (e.g., brainstorming, to-do lists).
• Links to additional resources on goal setting also are included.
Concerns:
N/A
Other Issues and Comments:
Excellent supporting material for many potential applications.
Creative Commons:
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