The main difference between educational aims and objectives is that educational aims reflect the purpose of education while seeking to enhance academic life as well as professional life of students after completing education, whereas educational objectives focus on educational achievements and involve short-term goals that take place during the course.
Aims and objectives are two very similar words. However, in the context of education, there are some differences between educational aims and objectives.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Educational Aims
– Definition, Features
2. What are Educational Objectives
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Educational Aims and Objectives
– Outline of Common features
4. Difference Between Educational Aims and Objectives
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Education, Educational Aims, Educational Objectives
What are Educational Aims
Educational aims consider the purpose of education. Basically, educational aims seek the career life of the students, as well as aims, maybe in relation to life beyond the course. Aims typically set goals for teachers to achieve. There are some instances where aims set long-term goals for learners as well as some joint goals for both teacher and learner to achieve together. The process of education cannot be planned and continued without aims. If there are no aims, the education process will not take place since aims plan the goals of the activities.
Educational aims are very important in the process of education because the curriculum of a particular course is shaped and molded according to the aims of the course. Thus, educational aims help to evaluate both learners as well as teachers. Furthermore, educational aims keep the teacher and learners on the right track. As a result, educational aims help to avoid wastage of time and energy. In addition, aims are necessary to have smooth administration procedures of schools. They help to organize and administer the schools in the best ways.
What are Educational Objectives
Educational objectives consider achievements. Educational objectives correlate with gaining skills, abilities, knowledge, and new attitudes rather than completing a given task. Basically, educational objectives take place during the course. Objectives of a particular course are considered as a short-term goal achieved by the learners successfully during the time of the course. Most of the time, teachers use a series of assessments to determine whether the learners have achieved the objectives. Generally, course objectives are mentioned in the course outline, and it explains what the students will achieve as they learn.
Educational objectives provide a common language about educational goals that can bridge subject matter and grade levels. At the same time, they also help to identify classroom activities and assessments. The objectives can be different from one course to the other. Nevertheless, educational objectives are more specific than aims. Educational objectives are often set by teachers, and those set objectives are applied to learners. Course objectives always relate to educational aims. Psychology provides the base for objectives. Moreover, educational objectives are narrow, and they are specific at the institutional level.
Similarities Between Educational Aims and Objectives
- Both educational aims and objectives deal with education procedures.
- Also, both educational aims and objectives give the right direction for teachers as well as learners.
Difference Between Educational Aims and Objectives
Definition
Educational aims consider the purpose of education, while educational objectives consider achievements.
Outcomes
Although educational aims focus on long-term outcomes, educational objectives focus on short-term outcomes.
Goals
Educational aims consist of long-term goals which may affect the learners even after completing the course whereas educational objectives focus on short-term goals that take place during the course.
Base
The base for educational aims is provided by philosophy, while the base for educational objectives is provided by psychology.
Nature
Although educational objectives have a general direction about an institution, educational objectives are specific goals of an institution or an individual.
Time Frame
Aims are not time-bound, and there is no specific time frame for aims, whereas educational objectives are time-bound.
Conclusion
The main difference between educational aims and objectives is that educational aims consider the academic life as well as the professional life of students even beyond the course, while educational objectives are only valid for the duration of the course.
Reference:
1. “Educational aims and objectives.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Exam, student, graduation, university, goals , college, achieve, aim” (CC0) via Pxhere
2. “Checklistgraphic” By Unicampus education network – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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