It's the guide to the class. I find myself lost if I don't have some type of guideline to follow. And many students like to have something to go from...a guide themselves to help stay on track.
I am constantly reminding my students to check the syllabus to be prepared for the next class meeting.
A good well prepared syllabus is like a road map of your class. It keeps the students organized and helps them know ahead of time what will be covered in the classroom. It also helps to know ahead of time when test are planned for the class,because of learning styles and the schedule of many of the adults they can plan ahead for study time or study sessions for test. The syllabus will lay the procedures for all assignments, so they know going into the classroom their requirements.
Joyce Brown
Having a well organized syllabus makes a huge difference. I have had experiences where I have been given a syllabus to work with at the last minute that was very hard to follow. If you do not spend enough time at the front end revising and organizing it as a student would read it, you lose some credibility with your class.
Hi Edward,
It is great that you had such experiences in your education so you know what having clear goals and a well developed syllabus can do to help students get comfortable in a new course and be ready for learning.
Gary
The syllabus is the first introduction to the course. A poorly designed syllabus can give students the message that the entire class will be poorly executed. A syllabus is also what the students will always refer to. It must have assignments, due dates, exam dates, goals and objectives, grading policies, ect... anything students need to know in the future about the course. Any time students have a question most will refer to the syllabus before they ever ask.
Same goes for me. The syllabus is something we all look at and review as it's the foundation for the class for the semester. If they have any questions regarding the class, they can learn a great deal about the class through discussions of the syllabus from day 1.
Hi Sadie,
This is a very good point for all instructors to be aware of and make sure to implement. A well prepared syllabus will help the course to get off to a good start and set the student at ease because they know the course expectations, polices and requirements.
Gary
When I attended Medical School it was very important to have a well defined syllabus. It gave me goals that I need to attain, what material is needed to attain them, a time frame when to attain them, and all the resources needed to complete and acheive the goal. the grading system was crucial. Every point counts so I could guage myself and challenge myself to raise those points.
By having a well prepared syllabus the students know what is expected and what they will be learning each day/week. if students have questions regarding weather or not material should be reviewed in class or at home they can refer to their syllabus.
Hi Tiffany,
Good points all about the value of a well prepared syllabus as well as how it can be used. The syllabus sets the tone for the class along with the first class meeting introductions and activities. In combination with each other the stage is set for a very successful course to come in the minds of the students.
Gary
Hi Joe,
Good for you and the fact you had a person early in your career help you understand the importance of the syllabus in informing students about the course.
Thank you for sharing this with us because I know it will be of help to new instructors just starting out.
Gary
The syllabus lets the students know how the class will flow. A syllabus for day classes that meet twice a week are very different from a class that meets at night. Students need to know what is expected of them as far as what assignments are due when. A syllabus can provide this information. It also allows others, such as the program directors or accreditation boards to know what information you are presenting in your class.
I learned very early on in my teaching career, from a mentor, that a well-prepared syllabus is the perhaps the first and best opportunity to encourage and guide students to take responsibility for their learning.
Hi Jonathan,
Well said and so true. A well prepared syllabus as you already know can reduce student anxiety and frustration. You lay out course expectations, polices and requirements and then build from there. When these elements are missing the students have a hard time grasping just what is going to be required of them.
Gary
The students need the syllabus to see what is expected of them, and it is a roadmap to the final destination-knowlege!
Hi Marvin,
I agree with your comments about the use of the syllabus. It is an effective communication device for giving students direction and setting the tone for the course.
Gary
It is the most important tool of an educator. It sets up the expectations, rules, guidelines, and just totally organizes everything.
I am teaching several classes. A well prepared syllabus helped me keep track of where I am for each class and what I need to plan ahead for each class.
On my syllabus, I give my students a tentative daily schedule. I do not add reading and homework assignments because this aids flexibility.
