Academic Hairsplitting- or is it? The difference between aims and objectives

I'm curious- I am trying to shake things up this year and I have always done lessons around the word "objective". Then in recent reading I've come across the word "aim" pretty often. I already googled and didn't get a clear answer.

What do you ladies think?

Re: Academic Hairsplitting- or is it? The difference between aims and objectives

I think it is the same thing. We are required to put our aim on the board. It is generally a question that we want the students to be able to answer by the end of the lesson. So for example I would have this on my board:

Aim: What is iambic pentameter?

Then my objective would be to teach them what iambic pentameter is.

Message edited 9/10/2010 10:00:35 PM.

Re: Academic Hairsplitting- or is it? The difference between aims and objectives

When I write it in my lesson plan book I consider it my objective

When I have to write it on the board for the kids I write:

Aim: To describe why water is a valuable resource


Same thing....different uses

Re: Academic Hairsplitting- or is it? The difference between aims and objectives

I consider an AIM an essential question that needs to be answered. It is not a yes/no question. It requires an explanation.

I consider an OBJECTIVE what I want to the students to be able to do (SWBAT).

Aim: How do scientists perform a controlled experiment?

Objective(s):
SWBAT:
to differentiate between a control and a variable
to explain how a scientist can increase the validity of an experiment
to differentiate between a dependent and independent variable

Message edited 9/11/2010 7:29:00 AM.

Re: Academic Hairsplitting- or is it? The difference between aims and objectives

I agree with Christina.

Aim is the big lesson question, objectives are the skills. ideas, theories that will be taught within the aim.

Re: Academic Hairsplitting- or is it? The difference between aims and objectives