Many teachers emphasize practical objectives that are measurable or quantifiable by standardized testing. For example, a high school biology teacher might train students in techniques that will help with a statewide standardized test. Other teachers in early education might have a certain skill set that they hope to teach children, such as counting, multiplication or color recognition. These types of teaching tasks have practical and measurable aims and include steps that teachers must take to achieve a particular goal.
A more abstract aim of teaching entails encouraging a love of learning in students. By approaching subject matter in a fun and enjoyable way, teachers can instill a long lasting value for learning in students. This will help students in all stages of their lives as they increase their knowledge base through an intrinsic drive to understand the world and the way it works. In this way, teachers can aim to teach a mentality or attitude that benefits the student.
In elementary, secondary, vocational and upper level teaching, students will invariably react to the personalities of their peers and teachers. Through group work, classroom interaction, collaborative projects and one-on-one conversations, teachers can nurture students and help them grow as people. This aim of teaching seeks to help people develop into mature, responsible and communicative individuals by teaching them personal and social concepts and techniques.
Although personal development and other forms of teaching may impart a certain kind of knowledge, some teachers may aim to drive home certain core facts about something. Whether teachers want a student to know about the history of the Reagan administration or the function of a carburetor, their aim may be to impart a specific idea or skill set. This type of teaching aims to help students reach certain levels of understanding so that they can reach practical goals.