Because everything you put into this syllabi will be covered in the class. It will give the student the opportunity to be prepared before during and after the course as well as the expectations of the course from the start. Better preparation for the student as well.
Gary,
Many schools follow this procedure for consistency. This can make it tough for instructors but there is always ways to personalize the course to fit your style. By having a standard syllabus a lot of work has been taken off of you so you can concentrate on the instructional aspects of your course as well as your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In my program, the syllabus is controlled by administration. I can only modify my name and contact info, etc. In a case such as this, administration has already decided what is stated on the syllabus so that the course is aligned with curriculum requirements.
It is important to have a well developed syllabus because the syllabus provided the necessary information and expectations of the class and a course content. The syllabus assists with class instruction and rules, lists objectives, grading, etc...for the students to abide by, as well as the instructor.
The syllabus provides a contract between the student and the instructor. The more details that are in the syllabus, the better the rules can be enforced between them.
I had a student who tried to argue that he should be allowed to make up a quiz. I not only had in my syllabus that quizzes are not allowed to be made up, I also had information discussing if he had come to me early and when he could take it if he was late that day, not absent. This helped me when dealing with his complaint.
The better it is detailed, the less stress an instructor will have in the future when there are issues, because there are always issues.
Abigail,
I like the fact you have them sign off they have received and been through the syllabus. This puts the responsibility on them as college students. A well prepared syllabus is so valuable in the establishing of understanding about how the course is going to operate and what the expectations are.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Using a well-prepared syllabus can help students understand exactly what the class is about, how it will be run, what is expected of them, how they will be graded, rules, policies, etc.
Because it is essentially a contract that can be called upon in the case of academic integrity, late work, etc. I always have my students sign that they have read and fully understand the syllabus on day one.
Kristia,
Like your description of the syllabus cheesy or not. It is exactly what a syllabus should do for the students as they start a new course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mo,
You have laid out a very good plan for how to use the syllabus. By having a well prepared syllabus and reviewing it with students at the beginning of a new course you have provided them with the road map of the course. It is up to them to follow it throughout the session. This is a shift for many students because they are conditioned to think that the instructor will give them slack if they don't meet deadlines, etc.. They need to see that this is college and they are adults thus the syllabus is their guide to success in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well-prepared syllabus will be the guide for the journey into learning the course content. Cheesy description, I know, but at the end of the course the syllabus and the instructor should've been able to work together to provide the optimum learning environment. And you are correct, my syllabi are prepared for me and every instructor where I teach. Therefore, dictatating that instructors be creative in their implementation of the 'well-prepared' syllabus.
Terry,
Good way to start off a new course. Everyone has the same information and can work from there throughout the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Madelaine,
Without a well prepared syllabus the students do not know where the course is going. The expectations, polices and requirements need to be spelled out and reviewed so everyone starts the course on the same page.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that a very well prepared and organized syllabus has be extremely useful. It was a very useful tool especially when I started teaching because it helped me be able to plan and prep my lesson plans. But I also agree with the fact that when you pass out that syllabus the first day of class. It puts the ball in the students court. In that, if they miss class or forget to do a homework assignment there is no excuse because it's been laid out for them.
Having a well prepared syllabus helps students know what their course covers what is expected of them how it ties into their education and also sets the pace for the course.
Our school has a well defined syllabus that we go over with the class. This will keep most students on the same page as far as what is expected.
It is important to have a well prepared syllabus to provide the students understanding of what to expect. It will clearly show the policies, requirements and expectations to pass the course.
Anne,
The importance of this cannot be over stated. A well prepared syllabus helps everyone involved to be on the same page and have the same understanding.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is extremely important to use a well prepared syllabus because it is your road map to the lectures you prepare for your students. It navigates you to the subject matter and keeps you and your students in a time frame so that all material will be covered at a timely manner. Organizational skills play a major role in success as a student and a teacher.
Brian,
Good example of the value of a well prepared syllabus in relation to how it impacts the educational and learning process just like the WPS impacts the welding process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A syllabus is just like an instruction tool to teach a class. It is good to follow! kinda like a (WPS) welding proceedure sheet. I teach welding and there are certain guide lines to follow to stay with in a code for welding. It tells what has to be done for that specific application.
