Executive function is a framework for understanding every student’s own combination of strengths and challenges. These strengths and challenges can be seen in every area of your students’ lives, in school and out. One common theme, and a common area of challenge for students, is goal setting. Many students struggle to set goals that are engaging and motivating, which makes it harder to approach work in a strategic and self-directed manner.
If you ask your students about their goals, you may hear goals that are inappropriate and vague (“I want to be good in school!”) or goals that are pie-in-the-sky (“I want to be a famous actor or athlete!”). These goals are dangerous because they do not promote self-awareness nor do they promote detailed thinking or planning.
Using the lens of executive function, educators can teach strategies for goal setting that help all students succeed. We can help students develop their goals in a powerful way that helps them connect their dreams to their everyday lives. Unrealistic goals become transformed into clear and appropriate short-term goals that address the big picture goal, increasing motivation and persistence.
Interested in learning more about the importance of executive function and goal setting? Join our free webinar: Executive Function & Goal Setting on November 15th at 4:00 EST. SMARTS staff will discuss a range of topics including:
- The role executive function plays in successful learning
- Systematic approaches to applying executive function strategies to common academic tasks
- Practical strategies to help students create strategic and meaningful goals
This webinar will explore the important role that executive function plays in successful learning. We will define executive function and explore how executive function difficulties interfere with successful learning. Attendees will learn practical and hands-on strategies to teach goal setting strategically to increase student engagement and motivation. We will also discuss ways to integrate these executive function strategies into common academic assignments.
We hope you can join us on the 15th! Not sure you can attend? Sign up now to join the webinar, and you’ll have access to a recording that you can watch at your convenience.
- Michael Greschler, M.Ed., SMARTS Director