Hi Edward,
You do a thorough job making sure your course requirements are clear. What a great idea to provide written information as well as verbal.
Patricia
They are stated in my syllabus as well as discussed in detail the first time we meet for classs.
I think you can remind them too much. At some point they need to take responsibility to read the syllabus and know what's expected. I always try to remind the night before or the week before when a big project or paper is due; however, reminding every day is not the point. They need to learn to become responsible at some point.
I make course requirements clear through both the syllabus, Individual Instructor's Policies, an Acknowledgment of what is expected of the student which is signed by students acknowledging that I have gone over and they understand course expectations. I also go over course expectations, etc. verbally at onset of the course, or first class. Going over all expectations (both in written format as a syllabus and verbal format) allows students to ask for clarification or have questions as to the course answered.
Hi Cecelia,
Making establishments on Day 1 is a must. Students need to know from the very beginning that you are serious about your profession, and you truly want them to succeed.
Patricia
I discuss the syllabus continually throughout te 6 week rotation. Students know from the very first day of class,how each class session will be conducted and what is required of them.
We have developed objectives that must be accomplished during the resident phase of the instruction and others that are to be accomplished during the non-resident phase. To ensure the objectives for the non-resident phase are met, the students are provided with a pre-test, covering those objectives, which they must pass prior to being enrolled in the resident phase. The students are informed of this requirement immediately upon enrolling in the course.
I post the Course Expectations as an Instructor File as well as an Announcement. Sometimes I even email it out to the class at large.
Each week, but especially in the early units, I help orient the students as to what is where on the course home page, and how to submit assignments, where they go, and explain in detail what constitutes 'quality' on the DB postings.
By getting them to go through the exercises/assignments through encouraging them that their confidence will gradually build so that in a job interview they will have more impact, they get enthused.
Hi Rose,
Students appreciate being given detailed course requirements. Students feel more at ease whenever things are clear.
Patricia
Hi Jennifer,
They need to learn independence because in the workplace no one is going to hold their hand.
Patricia
Hi Yolanda,
I like it! You provide a thorough review, and then you allow your students to have further discussion the next day for clarity.
Patricia
Our course requirments are outlined in our syllabus in bold letters also. I also incorporate them at the begining of our lectures
The course requirement is outlined in the syllabus in bold words. We go over the entire syllabus on the first day, and if necessary, I write information on the board. I also have a question and answer period. I ask if everyone has their book required for the class, and go over the Table of Contents in the book as well as the Preface, and each student has to bring in a question from the syllabus, Table of Contents or the Preface, for class discussion on the next class period.
I frequently review the course outline and calendar with the students to remind them of upcoming exams, homework and projects. I always stress that I know that they all have lives outside of school, so keep track of important course deadlines and don't let their work pile up. I also review what is due over a two week period and provide them specific date. These methods keep me and the students on track of the course requirements.
To make the requirements clear to students, I prepare a detailed, day-by-day course schedule and remind them to check it daily. Some latch right on, while others are more hesitant. But I think it is important for them to become somewhat independent in keeping up with their responsibilities.
I'll give the detailed break down requirements for the course assignement. There are so many unclear aspects in the course scenario. Sometimes, we have to provide the best guess based on our knowledge and try to give the information to the students.
I, too, make the friendly reminders as well as written and verbal (per syllabus).
Putting the onus on the students as far as accountability and responsibility come into play early on in the course so that it is not a surprise at mid-term or near final stage of the class.
I agree that students say, "I didn't know that." That is why I present students with a form to sign that they have received a course syllabus; it has been reviewed in detail by me; questions answered so that they are clear in the expectations.
In order for the students to be clear on course requirements, I review the Course Syllabus in detail at the commencement of class day 1.
After going over each segment of the syllabus, I review again what is expected.
A course calendar is prepared which shows the Week, Topic, Assignments, Projects, Dates Due (rough draft and final submission) and consequences, per school policy, for untimely submissions.
I will check weekly with students to see if they are progressing or procrastinating with their work.
Friendly reminders are necessary.
I like to list the course objectives and complement them with the various learning objectives. This way students realize what is expected of them in their learning. Also it lays out the level of learning of each, so students can see the depth of learning expected.
Hi Toshia,
What do you typically do to make course requirements clear? I thoroughly review the syllabus on Day 1.
Patricia
