No matter how altruistic we get about setting goals for our course, our students, and ourselves there is still a lingering fear in higher education that our own goals will be used against us. If we state too clearly what we hope to achieve, then we will be held accountable when ANY of our students fails to achieve those goals.

On the other side, I still hear colleagues express exasperation with the relentless detail and infinite hair-splitting conjured up when others talk about goals and objectives.

Well, there is another problem that puts talk of goals into perspective. TIME. If you have already begun using the web in your courses you know what I am talking about. Using technology as part of teaching and learning requires more time – more of OUR time as teachers. It requires enormous effort that will seem at times like a black hole sucking away all of your available time and energy.

There ARE ways to minimize and control the irresistible gravitational pull of the technology black hole. One of those ways to maintain some measure of control over your precious time is by establishing and articulating goals.

One of the main reasons technology can sap away valuable time is that we often think we have to immerse ourselves in it, chase every opportunity, learn as much as we can about technology - all at once. Having a clear sense of what you want to achieve and being able to articulate it to others in writing will help you choose between those uses of technology –including the web – that will be most productive and those that may be merely tantalizing.

Clearly framed goals will help keep you from chasing down blind technology alleys or from being overwhelmed with the trivial while the important eludes you. Establishing goals right up front will also make it easier to seek the advice and help of those with a higher geek quotient than you. When you seek the advice and guidance of “those people” in information technology, their knowledge of what you want to achieve will help keep them from steering you into the time-warp zone.

Finally, if you are going to do a lot of work creating and using a web site for your course – and you will – then you certainly want to know up front that it will be worth it- that what you want to accomplish will be of value to your and your students.

Writing down your goals is one way to ask yourself - will this be worthwhile?