What does everyone use for setting your overall goals for the week?

I have found great todo list type software, but I am wondering how I can get my students to focus more on the outcomes they want to achieve this week instead of list making task lists.

Mind Maps are pretty good for this, but I was wondering if there was an easy to use online tool that would help me work with them to set goals and then put a plan in place to work towards it.

Are your students already comfortable with an outcome model? Do they understand the difference between tasks and goals? Do they know what a milestone is? If not, I would suggest holding off on recommending software until they understand how to operate in this kind of framework. Having worked in a department that embraced an outcome model a number of years ago, I can say that it takes folks a bit of time if they are not familiar with the concept, and introducing software could possibly complicate the learning curve.

Good luck,

--Ken

Garland Coulson wrote:

What does everyone use for setting your overall goals for the week?
I was wondering if there was an
easy to use online tool that would help me work with them to set goals
and then put a plan in place to work towards it.

A Google Doc spreadsheet might be one option. For offline weekly and monthly goal management I use Classic Calendar, the simplest rendering of a monthly paper calendar I could find:
http://wellcraftedsoftware.com/classicCalendar.php

Garland Coulson wrote:

easy to use online tool that would help me work with them to set goals
and then put a plan in place to work towards it.

Have also just come across Bestimate (but not online tool):
http://skwire.dcmembers.com/fp/?page=bestimate

Ken wrote:

Are your students already comfortable with an outcome model? Do they
understand the difference between tasks and goals? Do they know what a
milestone is? If not, I would suggest holding off on recommending
software until they understand how to operate in this kind of framework.
Having worked in a department that embraced an outcome model a number
of years ago, I can say that it takes folks a bit of time if they are
not familiar with the concept, and introducing software could possibly
complicate the learning curve.

Yes Ken, during our coaching/training sessions, I work with them in Xmind to discuss goals/outcomes and the tasks needed to achieve them. But I was thinking an online goal setting tool they could use themselves afterwards would be useful.

Eventually I might develop my own if I don't like what is out there.

Garland

Garland Coulson wrote:

I was wondering if there was an
easy to use online tool that would help me work with them to set goals
and then put a plan in place to work towards it.

Check out Goalscape
http://www.goalscape.com/

and Crystal Mapping
http://www.crystalmapping.com/

The principle is very similar, and both offer desktop and online applications. Crystal Mapping provides a free version.

Garland Coulson wrote:

What does everyone use for setting your overall goals for the week?

MLO also has some goal management features, though I've not used them (and it's an offline tool as well, though there is a cloud and smartphone etc. apps):

http://www.mylifeorganized.net/

Alexander Deliyannis wrote:

Check out Goalscape
http://www.goalscape.com/

and Crystal Mapping
http://www.crystalmapping.com/

Thanks for these suggestions Alexander.

For some reason, I find the circular rotating interface of Goalscape to be more complicated. I am looking for something very simple. The Mind Map lets me create a nice simple yet visually pleasing goal setting option.

At first glance, I thought Crystal Mapping was also too complex, but when I looked closer at a real map, I found the colours really made the difference. I will sign up for a trial account and play with it for a bit.

- Garland

Dr Andus wrote:

MLO also has some goal management features, though I've not used them
(and it's an offline tool as well, though there is a cloud and
smartphone etc. apps):

http://www.mylifeorganized.net/

Thanks for this, Dr Andus.

I downloaded the free version and I think it is very task oriented, not goals oriented. It could work, but lacks that nice visual effect I am looking for.

Plus because of all the Mac users out there, I am starting to prefer web-based solutions rather than desktop ones so everyone can use them.

-Garland