The students should understand exactly what will be expected of them to succeed in the course. If it is clearly outlined from the beginning, there should be no misunderstandings or complaining later.
Hi Vince,
Good example of how students bring different perspectives to the class setting. You are correct that instructors need to give specifics when it comes to standards and professionalism in the career area.
Gary
Assignment requirement are very subjective. It is important to give specifics and even use a rubric system to help the instructor and the student to be on the same page.
Once, I asked students to give me a paragraph on what professional interview attire meant? In class or 23 students I received 23 different answers. They ranged anywhere from a three piece suit to a shirt with sleeves. It important not just to ask a student to act professional but give them a description and model what professional behavior is and looks like.
Hi Teresa,
Well put. Instructors do have a very large responsibility and need to work hard to make sure they provide from their side all the direction they can to their students. By doing so they will reduce confusion and frustration on the part of their students.
Gary
Students need to know the direction the course is going in order to motivate them to attend and be attentive in the class. Clear and concise course requirements allow the students to make a mental checklist of what to do. It provides them with a way to pace themselves and a way to break the course down into smaller, more achievable tasks. It helps build success.
Hi David,
Well said. It is so important to reduce confusion and specify requirements in a clear and concise way. This helps the students to get settled into the course and to understand the expectations.
Gary
Students are at risk for not understanding much of anything if they are not provided with comprehensive and a clear description of the course requirements. Similar with any other relationship, it takes work to build and keep the relationship going. Misunderstandings take place on every level, every day: workplace, personal relationships, friendships, neighbors, strangers, etc. Students are even at risk for failing your class if you can't communicate information to them and it may not even be their fault. This is why Instructors have such a large role!
There are a number of reasons. First, it gives the instructor a map of the goals, objectives and content they wish to teach and give to the students. It is also important to the students in that they know what to expect. What they are expected to accomplish and learn. It is the roadmap for both the instructor and student. It will also avoid any misunderstandings that might occur during the term.
So there is a lack of confusion on the part of the students what is expected of them and required out of the class. They can also see what they will be getting out of the course as well.
Hi Mark,
Good point about clear expectations and evaluations. You are right about students grading themselves harshly. They always do but this works to our advantage because when we talk with them we get to point out that they are doing much better than they think they are.
Gary
When people know what is required of them, they know what they are supposed to do and they know when they are not meeting the requirements. This is true not only in school but on the job. It is just as important to have a comprehensive and clear job description for your employees.
Many employers share with their new hires the annual performance review form that will be used at 3 months and again after 12 months of employment. This allows the employee with a documented checklist of how their performance will be assessed. Likewise, providing grading rubrics early in the course, or when major assignments are offered will give students a 'heads-up' of how they will be assessed.
Finally, I suggest that when students submit their major assignments, such as papers or projects, that they submit a self-evaluation, using the rubric. This reinforces the expectations and provides them with a critical skill of self-reflection. If there is time, providing a rough-draft and a final draft opportunity gives them a chance to improve.
As a side note, it is amazing how students often grade themselves more harshly than I would.
I agree with the earlier posts. Setting clear course requirements allows students to know what the expectations are and eliminates many future misunderstandings.
No surprises for the students
Hi Richard,
Good idea. This way the students know you are serious about the course and what you are going to cover. This should also reduce the number of general questions and increase the more specific questions about the course since they will have had a chance to read the syllabus.
Gary
I actually like to hand the syllabus out first- as they are coming in- this gives the incoming students something to read as the class starts..and sets the stage for the meeting.
Hi Claire,
Good point. Instructors can't change the requirements half way through and not expect the students to react. Clear specific requirements, expectations and polices reduce student management issues. It is as simple as that.
Gary
In reviewing students' evaluations of my teaching, whate comes up repeatedly is how much they like knowing exactly what's expected from the first day of class on. When I hear complaints from students about other instructors, these complaints are often related to instructors' changing the requirements half way through the class or not making the expectations clear.
Well, for one thing, you do not want the students thinking that you are not prepared and/or making this course up as you go. (Even if you do not have all of the materials completely prepared when the course begins, you must at least have the foundation set squarely—a strong idea of what materials will be covered and their logical progression).
By being as thorough as possible and as clear as possible with the course requirements at the beginning, you model success and professionalism immediately. You calm the students by demonstrating that your course has structure, has purpose, and relates strongly to their chosen career field. Likewise, this establishes your expectations for the students, and shows them not only what they will be achieving in the course, but also shows them how they will get there, and how they will be assessed.
Comprehensive and clear course requirements demonstrate your commitment to the success of the students and the course.
Students really need and want to have a clear picture of what is expected of them. If they know what the course requirements are, and the steps they have to take, it is much easier for them to meet expectations.
If you do not give a clear description, it raises a question as to whether or not a student can be successful by taking the course. You need to have a clear picture of where you are going and how you are going to get there, otherwise, you will be taken off-track which could lead to failure.
