FutureLearning | Goal Setting Tool

Set a goal that makes a difference for your students

Reflect on your teaching practice, find your highest-leverage area to develop, and create a clear professional goal grounded in the science of learning.

The self-review questions are based on the Science of Learning evidence base — 11 dimensions of effective teaching practice.

Step 1
Your context
Step 2
Review your practice
Step 3
Find your focus
Step 4
Write your goal

This tool works best when you already have a hunch. Effective goal-setting follows inquiry — ideally you've already noticed something in your practice, talked to a colleague or student, or seen a pattern in your students' work. This tool helps you turn that emerging hunch into a clear, structured goal.

If you're not yet at that stage, consider starting with an observation, a student conversation, or a chat with your team first.

Takes about 10–15 minutes. Your responses aren't saved to a server — everything stays in your browser. You can print or save a PDF of your completed goal at the end.

Your context

This helps tailor Goal Setting Tool to your situation. Fill in what's useful — nothing is compulsory.

Years 0–2
Years 3–4
Years 5–6
Years 7–8
Years 9–10
Year 11+

This tailors the language in your goal to your context. The science of learning principles apply across all teaching areas.

Reading and writing
Maths and numeracy
Another teaching area
4 weeks
6 weeks
One term
Two terms

How are you going with these practices?

Rate yourself honestly. There are no right or wrong answers — this is just to find the best focus for your goal. Click each area to see examples and choose a rating.

These 11 practice areas are based on the Science of Learning evidence base. They describe what effective teaching looks like across all year levels and teaching areas.

0 of 10 rated

Your practice at a glance

Highlighted area is your recommended focus.

Want to focus on something else?

The recommendation is based on your self-review — but you know your context best. Choose any area below.

Your goal

We've drafted a goal based on your focus area. Edit it to make it yours — change the wording, timeframe or evidence types to fit your class.

Example:

Your action steps

These are the specific things you'll do. Tick the ones you'll commit to — you can untick any that don't fit your situation.

Evidence you'll collect

What will show you that your practice is changing and students are responding? Select all that apply.

Professional Learning Goal

FutureLearning | Science of Learning

Context
Focus area
My goal
Action steps
    Evidence I'll collect
    This goal is informed by the Science of Learning evidence base. Practice dimensions reflect research on effective teaching across cognitive, cultural, and relational dimensions of learning.