Making sure the point values in syllabus match course
One pitfall I have run into is not matching my syllabus point values with the actual points the students receive. This has helped me as an instructor
Hi Stephanie,
If you use percentages for your standard you will be ok. For example 90% higher is an A, 80% a B, etc. Then you can assign the points for projects, quizzes and assignments in relation to the value they represent in your learning scheme. A quiz may be worth 10 points while a major project can be worth 100 points. If you can don't change the point values because that send a signal that if we (the students) don't do well then she will change the point value so there is not benefit to doing well since the points will be reduced bringing the value of the effort back to the mean or average of the class.
Gary
As a first time instructor, I didn't know how many points would be appropriate for my course. So I used percentage values -- for example, tests would be 50% of the grade while assignments would be 30%. I figured out my point values later and put it in an addendum. However, I have run into the problem of having to change point values because of academic performance by the class as a whole.
The addendum notation makes sense. It gives the flexibility to adjust the details of the course if something major happens. As a new instructor this makes me less nervous about what the syllabus says. For students it's also good practice for dealing with changes and ambiguity, two things they will certainly face in their careers.
You can go through the syllabus with a fine-tooth comb and inevitably you will miss something. I always include a disclaimer that the syllabus or the addendum may change but that any changes will be discussed in class.
I go over my syllabus with a "fine tooth comb", in other words, I really make sure that everything matches. This keeps confusion from occuring.
