Making course requirements clear for students
What methods do you use to make the course requirements clear for the students?
Hi Linda,
The more you teach, the more proactive you will become! First day rules are a must! I have been teaching for more than 23 years, and it is still work in progress.
Patricia Scales
As a first time adjunct instructor, I was not able to make any changes to the standard school syllabus and frankly wouldn't have known what to change. As we are at mid-term, I had already realized that there were many specific items that had come up, that had I addressed the first day of class would have made things much easier down the road. After Reviewing this Module training, I will definately be adding an addendum to the standard syllabus next quarter with at least the following additions:
Assignment Timelines on a calendar.
Explanation of Course Procedures
Handling Late and Miss Assignments
Where they can find copies of the presentation
First day - open discussion on how the class will benefit them with their chosen career.
Hi Joseph,
Great list! Students love being shown examples. Examples add clarity as to what is expected.
Patricia
To set the stage for student success in any course, I believe the following are important:
1. have a well-written course syllabus with contributions from all faculty members teaching the same or similar courses, and not produced by just one person.
2. be clear and thorough about your course requirements and expectations of each student; give concrete examples.
3. give complete information about each test, project or report to be taken or submitted.
4. have a deadline with some built-in flexibility.
I start the course with review of the Sillabus, with all objectives and activities as well. However, I use a calendar that is given to the student with the dates of the issues and day for submission of assignments. This is discussed together.
In addition, I tell my students of the penalties if the assigments are not delivered on time. Additionally, the students sign a sheet that clearly understood and received all the instructions of the course.
Mary
Hi Sherry,
The syllabus is such a great tool to present on the first day and to refer to throughout the grading period.
Patricia
I make an addendum the first day of class that outlines requirements, expectations, and penalties for not meeting deadlines and expectations.
I agree with discussing the syllabus and giving the students a clear picture of what is going to happen. I think the syllabus should "hilight" what they are supposed to study and know the important topics. It also helps keep them focused!
Syllabus handout. Weekly reminders of where we are anad what is due and when. Reminders posted on board at the beginning of class. Generally with math is much easier as the assignments are necessary aprt of the learning and are reflected in the testing process.
Hi Felix,
Students want and need clear expectations! Our students have a lot going on, and we should make them aware of things way in advanced.
Patricia
I agree with you in regards to reviewing the course syllabi with he students prior to starting ythe class. This allows them to ha a clear picture of the objectives and expectations. The different types of assessment tools that will beused in the class, and attendance. The time that it takes to review saves us more time while we are teaching the course.
On the First day I make all my students take a highlighter out and highlight each section and initial. This I tell them lets me know that they have read the course requirements along with myself and are aware of any consequences (if any). At the end I have them sign the syllabus with the date. Again so student is aware that they did read the syllabus.
We go over the syllabus with the students and also place the syllabus on the online resource. The course calendar is also put online to make sure the students have assess.
Course requirements are crucial to student's engagement in the course as well as the learning objectives set for the course. To start the process, instructor can go on each of the requirements with the students and utilize the followinf : group discussion and or class discussion and recitations to set clarity. Encouraging students to provide example scenario to validate their understanding is also helpful. At the end, each student should be given a copy of the course syllabus to aid in their understanding of the course learning objectives.
I make sure, throughout the discussion of the syllabus, that I ask if there are any questions or need for clarification. I also let the students know that their input is very important and if they have any addiotions they would like to discuss, I am open for discussion
The course syllabus is key during the first day of class. After introductions, I hand out the syllabus and go over it in detail explaining the requirements. Make sure everyone understands what is expected of them.
Hi Kelli,
It is important to go over the course requirements with students on Day 1. Students need to know exactly what is expected of them as soon as possible. I even know of some instructors that will have a quiz on the course requirements to ensure students fully understand what is expected of them.
Patricia
I go over them with the students.
I give them weekly reminders when a project is due.
