I don’t claim to be an expert on learning intentions and success criteria, but I’d like to share my thoughts on their importance, particularly within my domain of computing science.
After a year of teaching, I’ve realized that many teachers, during my time as a student, would assume the class understood what they were supposed to be learning simply by saying something like, “Right, today we’re going to learn about X and Y.” However, this approach lacks the clarity that can be provided by well-defined learning intentions.
As a computing science teacher (a newly qualified teacher, but a teacher nonetheless), I’ve found that simply stating, “We’re going to look at variables,” doesn’t give students a clear understanding of what they are learning, how it relates to prior knowledge, and what the specific focus of the lesson is.
For example, when introducing variables in PHP, a student might assume we’re covering all variables, including superglobals like $_POST and $_GET, when in fact, the lesson is solely focused on local variables such as $x = 10. Without clear learning intentions, students might wander into unrelated topics, which can hinder their understanding of the core material.
This is why I believe learning intentions are so vital. I like to think of them as a framework that establishes clear boundaries for the lesson, helping both the teacher and students stay focused. A simple lesson introduction often lacks the depth necessary to define what is and isn’t being covered. Well-articulated learning intentions, on the other hand, remain present throughout the lesson, preventing students from veering off course. While it’s wonderful when students are curious and eager to explore more, without clear guidance, they can easily venture into areas that are too advanced or unrelated.
Learning intentions also help teachers avoid overwhelming students. By structuring your lessons around specific objectives, you can clearly outline the lesson’s scope and ensure you don’t try to cover too much in one session.
Ultimately, my appreciation for learning intentions stems from their ability to keep students focused and on track, which is especially important in computing. They prevent students from feeling lost and help teachers maintain a structured and manageable flow in their lessons.
