Ann,
Good way to be of benefit to your students. You know what you wanted to know when you were a student and now you can use that experience to make sure you don't leave your students with voids in your expectations, requirements and polices.
Gary
I remember as a student how much anxiety I would get when the teacher was unclear with the assignment or the course objectives. I was always the type of student that needed to plan everything out or at least know what is planned. As an instructor, I do not feel comfortable with the course until I have wrapped my head around the big picture. This helps the details fall into place. It gives validation to those details and the class as a whole.
Walter,
I have found the same thing. You cannot stress the requirements and due dates too much with students. They need to be reminded over and over.
Gary
I make the course requirements clear not only at the beginning of the course, but every class meeting, I place on the board the objectives for the day and what is due that week. I have found that this keeps the students on track as to what will be covered and what is expected of them in class.
Clear course requirements allows a student to understand what is expected of them, in my opinion this allows them to get comfortable in their learning enviornment. This in turn allows a student to settle in to the task at hand and understand clearly what is expected of them. This sets a student up for sucess, you lay out your plans for the durration of your course giving your students structure and plans of how they will reach the learning objectives. This builds their confidence in your curriculum and the structure gives them an understanding how the objectives of the course will be met.
It is very important as a teacher to motivate a student towards the goal accomplishment and it needs focusing to the course contents. A well described course content can give a clear idea to the student what they need to do and need to know to accomplish the goal. They can easily prepare themselves for their outcome if it is known clearly.
The need to communicate clearly and to the point is part of the overall objective we have to constantly strive for in our Work..I see no other way!!!
Hi Marcia,
Good way to keep the importance of the syllabus in front of the students throughout the course. This way they know it is a document to be reviewed and followed throughout the course.
Gary
Hi Robyn,
Good way to make sure that all of the students understand the course objectives and have an idea of what the expectations are for them. This helps them to get settled into the course and prepared to learn.
Gary
I definitely always make sure that the students clearly understand so I have no hassles at the end of the course. I periodically throughout the course refer back to the syallabus and verbally say if you will remember in the syllabus, etc...
At the first class meeting I am still learning the students and I find that some of them who are not auditory learners become confused about the objectives of the course. That's why I make an extra effort not only at the first class meeting but on subsequent classes to reinforce our objectives for the day and entire course.
Students need to understand the expectations from the course in order for them to be successful. If I am unable to deliver this in manner in which they understand then how can I expect them to be successful in the course?
So that you students have an understanding of what they will learn and what is expected of them.
Ensuring that your course requirements are clear and comprehensive helps both the students and the instructor.
It helps students to know what to expect in the class and how to earn an "A". It helps hold both the instructor and students accountable as well.
I think it is extremely important to review the requirements as a class providing an opportunity to ask questions and clarify anything that is not clear.
Again, I think individuals function well with structure and clear-cut expectations. This allows students a definite direction needed for success in this particular class. This also promotes comfort in knowing what's ahead and that the way for succeeding is in their hands (in the form of written instructions).
Earnest J. Kendall,MSN, RN-BC
Many students take a course as a 'required' course and have no idea what to expect. Fear of the unknown plays a major part in a student's anxiety. By giving a clear and comprehensive course requirement, it alleviates the student's anxiety by allowing them to know what they are going to learn and what is expected of them. As an instructor who typically teaches several courses at a time, it also allows me to stay on track and ensures that I uphold my end as the instructor as well.
Hi Becky,
A very simple approach to teaching success. If everyone understands the course expectations then the focus can be on learning rather than trying to sort out what it takes to pass the class.
Gary
It helps the students feel confident....it gives the students a roadmap, a guide that will help them understand the goals and expectations of the course.
Both the teacher and the students need to be on the same page about what the students are required to do, in order to be successful in the class. If the students have a clear understanding of the requirements, and the instructor is fair and consistent in enforcing them, the students will learn to trust and respect the instructor. If the students do not understand the requirements, or the instructor is not consistent, it creates confusion and frustration for everyone.
This is important because it lays out everything that needs to be done in order to be successful in the course. If later, there is a problem with a student and incomplete assignments it is your ground to stand on. The instructor can then say on the first day of class we spent so much time on the course requirements.
This is important because it lays out everything that needs to be done in order to be successful in the course. If later, there is a problem with a student and incomplete assignments it is your ground to stand on. The instructor can then say on the first day of class we spent so much time on the course requirements.
