Learning Intentions

Learning Intentions Are Important!

To assist student to take more responsibility for their own learning, students need to know:

Learning intentions help student know and understand what they are going to learn.

Learning intentions may be written like this:

For example:

If the Prescribed Learning Outcome is:

Identifies Healthy Food Choices using Canada's Food Guide
Understands the benefits of physical activity and accesses a variety of opportunities to be active in school
Participates in and advocates for healthy habits that prevent the spread of diseases and promote health

The Learning Intention re-written is: I can demonstrate different ways that I am developing healthy habits.

What students thought they were learning (Clarke 2005)

Learning intention with context	What students thought they were learning	Learning intention without context	What students thought they were learning now
To write instructions to make a sandwich	"I would learn how to make a sandwich".	To write instructions (A sandwich)	“We would be learning to write instructions.”
To know why Samuel Pepys is important in understanding the event of the Great Fire of London.	"We would be learning about what happened and what he wrote. We would also learn how to put a fire out".	To know how primary sources help us to find out about the past (Great Fire of London, Samuel Pepys)	"We would learn to find out about how other people lived".

From Clarke, S. (2005) Formative Assessment in Action: weaving the elements together

Tips to Using Learning Intentions Effectively

Start small
Separate the learning intention from the activity instructions
Tell students why they are learning this
Use child-friendly language (and/or ensure children have the language of learning)
Make it visible (display)
Allow time for discussion with students