Aims, Goals, Objectives...

1. AGO Thinking
Technique
Aims, Goals, and Objectives

2. Aims, Goals, Objectives (AGO)
Edward de Bono (1982) introduced the thinking
technique called Aims, Goals and Objectives, or
abbreviated as AGO as a means for focusing one’s
thinking and action. With AGO, you can focus your
thinking on a specific objective that will direct your
actions rather than reacting to each situation.

3. Aims
Aims are the general statements
you make to give the general
direction and intent to your
planning, and to help you
organize your efforts

4. Goals
Goals represent your ultimate
destination. You can recognize when
you have achieved the goal because
you can often observe your
achievement of the goal.

5. Objectives
Objectives are the milestones or the
things that you need to achieve so you
can achieve the goal and overall aim of
your efforts. Objectives are recognizable
achievements along the way that you can
use to track your progress towards
achieving the goal.

6. Situational example 1:
Aims: The aim of a biology class might be:
- To foster a deep understanding of the scientific method, and appreciation for the diversity of life
on Earth.
Goals: To meet this aim, the instructor must see to it:
- To make sure students know how to design experiments, identify different phyla, and can explain
evolutionary processes.
Objectives: The instructor may:
- Teach students a specific lab technique or to evaluate student understanding of a particular topic.
Source:
McBride, M. J. (2015). Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Encyclopedia of Educational
Philosophy and Theory, 1-6.

7. Aims: The aim of a writing workshop might be:
- To improve students’ writing skills and fluency in English.
Goals: To achieve this aim, the instructor may set goals such as:
- To help students improve their grammar and sentence structure.
Objectives: The objectives may include:
- Set achievable writing tasks, such as writing a paragraph a day or summarizing ideas from
assigned readings.
Source:
Iqbal, J. (2014). Objective-based learning methodologies in education: developing pedagogy to
improve outcomes. International Journal of Science and Research, 3(1), 97-100.
Situational example 2:

8. Situational example 3:
Aims: The aim of a history course could be:
- To ensure students can assess historical events, narratives, and themes, with an appreciation of their origins,
in order to prepare future informed, responsible citizens.
Goals: To meet this aim, the instructor might:
- To make students analyze primary sources and understand how historical events have shaped current
realities.
Objectives: The objectives may include:
- Ensure that students can understand the chronology of events or to be able to identify how geography has
shaped the course of history.
Source:
Scrivener, K. (2012). Teaching English grammar: What to teach and how to teach it. Pearson Longman.

9. Let’s try!
Scenario:
A student is cheating in the class. What are the objectives of the teacher
in addressing the situation?
Aim:
- To ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn and
succeed based on their own efforts and merits.

10. Thank you very
much!!!