There can't be ambiguities regarding attendance, grading, and professional and ethical conduct. Give an inch; students take it a mile.
Students need to know exactly what is expected of them both verbally and on paper. This creates less problems through out the course, as I can always refer back the course requirements.
It is very crucial to let them know the do's and don'ts of the class.
Veronica,
Two things need to be in place to help students to see the value of course content. Relevance and application. Your approach is giving them both of these items. This method increases the ROI of the course to them as well.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students come to class with a question in mind, one example of which is: "What am I going to learn in this class that will help me become a nurse?"
Giving a comprehensive and clear description of the course requirements is one way of telling the students that this particular class should not be taken for granted because it is one of the most important building block of becoming perhaps the best nurse there is. When students see clearly the importance of the course requirements in the fulfillment of their dream to be a nurse, then we, the teachers, are effectively directing them to that goal.
1. It allows the student the opportunity to manage their own learning processes outside of class time (plan study times vs. night with the kids...)
2. It will instill in the student from day one, the quality of their educational program
3. It role models for the students the effect that being well prepared has on your customers (ie... the student as a customer is perceiving how helpful your preparedness was for them, hopefully that will carry forward into their own professional etiquette).
I couldn't agree more. I know for me, if I know the expectation I will be graded against, I can set my sights on the grade I hope to achieve. Being consistent gives the student a sense of peace in being able to plan. Going over the syllabus gives the student an opporutnity to ask for clarification as well.
I agree if you give them the expectations and requirements of the course along with due dates verbally and in written form , they can refer to the expectations and when they are due.That way it won't creep up on them and create more stress.
College is a stepping stone to the working world. Helping students learn to meet deadlines is a goal towards helping students become productive employees.
It is important to give a comprehensive and clean description of the course requirement so that the student understands fully what is expected of them and what they need to do to pass the course.
Shelley,
When students know what the expectations are they can concentrate on how they will meet those expectations. When they don't know they spend more time being frustrated rather than learning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I want students to know what to expect from this course and from me as an instructor..
Edward,
Good way to maintain the standards of the course while still accommodating the various situations that students come up with throughout the course.
Gary
This provides each student with a focused picture of the requirements. I also advise them that unless there is an acceprtable reason for a late completion of the assignment that there will be a penalty in the form of points deducted for each day of lateness. This has encouraged them to discuss with me ahead of time if they are going to miss a deadline and make alternate arangements. It has also produced a couple of deadline adjustments for the class when there is a common problem.
As an instructor, when I first enter a class at the beginning of the course I always ensure that my outline of the course requirements and objectives are clearly stated and explained. I provide copies with highlights to make sure the students understand the flow of the course.
It helps the students focus on the critical information disseminated in the course.
Jean, I agree with your comment, Its the "meat" that gets them excited about what is to come. As a student I loved the first day of school. The teachers talk always motivated me to get excited on whats to come ahead! Good points!
It can help the student be successful and it gives them a clear understanding of what they can expect and helps them be prepared for what is to come.
It is important to give a comprehensive and clear description of the course requirements to
prepare the student for the work involved in the course. It allows them to formulate a game plan on how to accomplish the goals. It also sets the student at ease because they know what to expect.
Students need to know what is expected of the class and what they will be learning in class. Key concepts are given of the course and the outcomes are made clear.
