This lesson plan is designed to teach how to apply SMART objectives to training programmes for journalists and media managers.
It’s based on the article SMART objectives for media training which we recommend trainers read before adapting this lesson plan for your own purposes.
Learning objective
Students will design a SMART objective outline for a media training session, ensuring it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. They will evaluate the effectiveness of their objective by aligning it with the training goals and participant needs.
- Student-facing objective: By the end of this lesson participants will be able to create a clear and effective set of SMART objectives for a media training session and check if it fits the training goals.
- Standards: Participants will learn how SMART objectives can be used to provide a clear framework for media training.
Learning activities
Warm-up
- Notice and consider: Display a simple media-related scenario, such as a brief description of a media training session. Ask students, “What do you notice? What do you think?” Give them a few minutes to think and discuss with a partner. Then, invite several students to share their observations and questions. Record these for all to see. Guide the conversation towards the importance of setting clear objectives for media training, preparing them for the lesson on SMART objectives.
Direct instruction
- Introduce SMART objectives: Begin with a brief explanation of SMART objectives. Define each component: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Use a real-world example, such as a media training session aimed at improving interview skills. Describe how a vague goal such as “improve interview skills” can be transformed into a SMART objective such as: “By the end of the month, participants will conduct three mock interviews, receiving feedback and achieving a score of 80% or higher on their evaluation forms.”
- Analyse examples: Present two examples of media training objectives. One should be a SMART objective, and the other should be vague.
- Example 1: “Participants will learn about social media strategies.”
- Example 2: “Within two weeks, participants will develop a social media strategy for a specific campaign, including three measurable goals and a timeline.”
- Ask students to identify which is SMART and why. Discuss the importance of each SMART component in making objectives effective.
- Create a SMART objective: Guide students in creating their own SMART objective for a hypothetical media training session. Provide a scenario, such as training journalists to use new digital tools. Ask students to draft an objective that includes all SMART components. Encourage them to consider the needs of the participants and the goals of the training.
Guided practice
Think, Pair, Share: Guide students through refining their SMART objectives.
- Think: Ask students to individually review their drafted SMART objectives from the direct instruction activity. Encourage them to identify any missing components or areas for improvement.
- Pair: Have students pair up with a partner. Each student shares their objective, explaining how it meets each SMART criterion. Partners provide constructive feedback, focusing on clarity and alignment with training goals.
- Share: Invite pairs to share their refined objectives with the class. Select a few examples to discuss, highlighting strengths and areas for further refinement.
- Class discussion: Facilitate a class discussion on common challenges encountered in creating SMART objectives. Encourage students to share strategies for overcoming these challenges.
- Revise: Allow students time to revise their objectives based on peer feedback and class discussion. Ensure each objective is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Independent practice
- Exercise: Direct students to complete an exercise where they create a SMART objective for a media training session focused on combating misinformation. Use a provided scenario to guide their work.
- Observation: Circulate the classroom, observing students as they work on their objectives. Offer guidance and support as needed, ensuring they incorporate all SMART components effectively.
Assignment
Ask students to answer these questions:
- How does a SMART objective differ from a vague objective in media training?
- Why is it important for a media training objective to be relevant to the participants’ needs?
- What’s one question you still have from today’s lesson?
Suggested answers:
- Suggested answer to Question 1: A SMART objective is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, while a vague objective lacks these clear criteria.
- Suggested answer to Question 2: Relevance ensures the training is applicable and beneficial to the participants’ real-world work, increasing its effectiveness.
Teacher resources
Differentiation guide
- Advanced learners: Encourage them to create multiple SMART objectives for different scenarios, focusing on complex media training topics. Challenge them to critique and refine each other’s objectives, emphasising precision and alignment with broader training goals.
- Striving learners: Provide additional examples of SMART objectives and break down each component with simple, relatable analogies. Offer guided templates to help them structure their objectives. Pair them with peers for collaborative support during activities.
- Recommended reading: This lesson plan is based on the article SMART objectives for media training which we recommend trainers read before adapting this lesson plan for your own purposes.
Notable definitions
- SMART objectives: A framework for setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
- Measurable: A characteristic of an objective that allows for tracking progress and assessing completion through quantifiable indicators.
- Relevant: Ensures that the objective aligns with the overall goals of the training program and addresses the needs of the participants.
Required materials
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and screen
- Printed scenarios for exercises
- Handouts with SMART objectives framework
- Access to computers or tablets for online exercises
- Evaluation forms for peer feedback
Lesson summary
- Warm-up
- Direct instruction
- Guided practice
- Independent practice
- Assignment
The free teaching tools at the Khan Academy were used in the production of this lesson plan.
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