Syllabus
I am a new instructor learning my teaching style. Regarding a syllabus, remembering back to the classes I have taken, the syllabus is the number one thing that I would look for to give me an idea of content and difficulty of the course.
This is an interesting way of looking at a syllabus for me, because I have found that many times the syllabus is only used as a reference, although attendance and some of the more set regulations are more important. The overall subject matter tends to be a guideline, not an end all be all, because as the class progresses usually you deviate away from the syllabus and eventually get back to following it as time allows. I will attempt to create a syllabus and follow it exactly and see how the classes respond versus my previous success with allowing some versatility in the syllabus.
Hi Francine,
This is a good model for other instructors to follow. By having a hard copy, electronic copy and a hand out for extra information you have covered the delivery of the syllabus content to the students.
Gary
I think the syllabus is a great tool to have on the first day of class. It outlines the course expectations as well as my expectations and dates for when projects and tests are due. I also pull a few things out of the syllabus and supplement it with an extra hand-out with more defined details on various projects. I also send this material electronically so there is no excuse for losing anything.
I agree with Barbabra and Josette. The syllabus is one of the most important tools needed when teaching a class. It provides a road map to the class. I find that a good syllabus helps to ease the classes fears and anxiety over the course material and helps answers questions the students might have throughout the course.
Hi Hsinpo,
Right you are. This is the true purpose of the syllabus. It is a guide and plan for the upcoming course plus the information source for requirements, expectations and polices.
Gary
No, I do not agree that a syllabus is only a reference document for the course. In fact,is the overall plan, a baice and most important document for a particular course, becasue it makes clear the aims and demands, the course centent, the objectives and teaching schedules, grading systems, attendance policies,etc. This is something both the instructor and the learner should abide by. The faithful carrying out of this overall plan is a guarantee of the success of the teaching of the course.
I agree with Josette. The syllabus is a reference document for the class. I hope students look to it first to find information they need. I try to reinforce this behavior by pointing out where the information is in the syllabus when someone asks a question about the class.
