Developing a Syllabus
To devoloping a syllabus, do i need to be as clear as possilbe?
Yes. I even include important school rules and policies that might impact class participation.
Hi Joshua,
You are right on with your approach to using the "master" syllabus and then adding your own input as needed. There has to be some flexibility in the syllabus and addendum so you can tailor the course to the current students and their needs. As you well know each class has its' own dynamics so you need to customize to those dynamics.
Gary
My college also uses the policy of setting a "master" syllabus for each course, and each instructor supplies a Syllabus addendum for the courses they teach. I've found that I really enjoy getting into some detail in the syllabus addendum - especially if the course is one that I'm particularly passionate about. I understand the drawbacks to over planning on the syllabus, but I haven't found so far that minor modifications to the plan for the course have been a problem as long as there's due notice.
Hi Dana,
Good point about having some flexibility within the syllabus structure so you can modify or adapt your delivery as needed. By having a well developed syllabus you share with the students the course requirements, polices and expectations but within that you can do the things that you listed in your forum comments. This lets you be an active instructor rather than reactive.
Gary
I agree with you on the idea that making syllabi too detailed can lead to problems as well. I believe that the policies should all be laid out as concrete as possible as well as the major assignments of the class. I like to leave some of the assignments vague and make it known that there may be "pop" quizzes and graded in class work that may not be on the syllabus—the points may be listed on the syllabus as TBA. I have found that doing so helps out with attendance as well as my being able to better gauge what the students are retaining on an as needed basis without the complaints of "well that isn't listed on the syllabus".
I actually think that making syllabi too detailed can lead to problems as well.
I like to explain the class, tell them about the books and even why we are using the books. Explain what material we will be covering and list any resources the student could potentially use or need.
But as for completely breaking down what we are doing each week.. I like to leave that more vague so that there is some leeway in what happens.
Besides that though, I do try to make my syllabus list out exactly what I am expecting from the students and what they can expect from me. So detail is good in some areas of it, but not necessarily in all areas of it.
Hi Denise,
I have found that making my syllabus as detailed as possible actually helps me in the long run. When I have an established plan/procedure in place that is well-thought-out before the students get there I am much more confident in my abilities to make decisions. Plus, if you have a policy/practice in writing you can refer to that if a question comes up throughout the course. If the students know what to expect they are much more likely to do it. Having clear expectations is always a good thing.
Hi Terri,
Yes, it is becoming common practice. This is for two main reasons. One, since the syllabus in a sense is a contract between the students and the college, the college wants to make sure all the legal issues are covered in the document. Two, for consistency between and among instructors. It does make it easy to drop in your material and go with the standard format knowing you have covered both the legal and informative issues related to the class.
Gary
I too agree Gary. The syllabus ourlines the expectations required for the course material and content. It is the resource for the student. I typically like when an University or school has a their own syllabus template and all the instructor has to do is add personality and additional course materials. I work for 2 colleges currently and they use this practice, is this becoming standard practice across the board in education?
Hi Denise,
Yes, you do. Get some samples of what you see as being good syllabi and review them.
The syllabus is to share the polices, requirements and expectations of the course to students so you have to make sure you cover all of these elements in a way that is clear and understandable by students.
Gary
