Hi Denise,
Visuals are great! They add a lot of clarity.
Patricia
Hi Sara,
Students need concrete information. Gray areas cause problems for students.
Patricia
For me the first time someone told me about the use of colored paper for syllabi it was as if the scales had been lifted from my eyes. ;)
Ever since then I've never had a single report about a lost or misplaced syllabus.
Dave Rakowski
I know my students appreciate the reminders for due dates. I also post the assignments on the board, daily.
As an instructor I always make my syllabus very concrete and clear. I give them a calendar with the due dates for each assginment, the topic for each week, etc. I also make sure to ask the students if they have any questions on the syllabus before I make it complete.
I review them several times over the first few weeks and give them visual examples for projects.
I can agree with you because often students will use that as a mere excuse when they are not focused on doing homework assignments.
The method that I use to make the course requirements clear for the students is the syllabus, which also includes goals and objectives that I have clearly defined. Simplified statements are okay but we can't assume that all students will understand what is meant. In addition to the syllabus, I will also cover course requirements on the first day of class and ask students if they have questions. Could you make other suggestions?
Hi Cathy,
I am sure your students appreciate your reaffirmations. I've known some instructors that do not remind their students of due dates.
Patricia
Hi Susan,
The first day is the perfect time to share course requirements. Students are expecting this on the very first day.
Patricia
On the first day of class, I present the course syllabus, which list all the exams and assignments that are required for the entire course. I also list that point values for each exam and assignment on the syllabus. The syllabus also includes chapters, activities, and exam dates for each class. If a student is not able to attend class on a certain date, they can look at their syllabus to see whta was covered in class. Also, they have no excuse for saying they did not know the exam date. I also announce the exam again verbally in class as a reminder.
I try to make the course requirements clear on the first day for students. I explain what the expectations are and have them ask me any questions.
Hi Danielle,
You are very thorough with making course requirements clear. I like how you do not have the students read the syllabus, you read with them so that everyone fully understands.
Patricia
At the beginning of the class I read through the syllabus with them in case they have any questions I am there for them to answer. I also write any specific objectives on the board or anything that may be confusing. I make it a point to update on the board what is due everyweek so they know what to work on.
Dani
I make course requirements clear on the course outline which includes assignments and due dates for all homework, reading, projects, exams and practicals. I reaffirm those dates each class.
Regards,
Cathy
I use PowerPoint presentations to make the course requirements clear for the students. For example, there is a clear dress code at the college. I built a PowerPoint presentation to show what was acceptable, and what was unacceptable to the class. This way, they are not only hearing the dress code, but they are seeing the dress code. Next, I link the dress code's importance to the importance in the work place. Finally, I quiz the students on the dress code and make them sign their quiz.
I took a course and learned the 6-pack method. I use this method on the first day of class and subsequent classes. First, give your students and warm welcome, second, an icebreaker, then recollect their interest and state "the objectives." (three) The objective tells the students where we will be when we are done. (four) The course requirements shows the students the path we will take to get there. I take my time and go over the requirements slowly...syllabus, outline, etc. and I also have the students sign an accountability sheets for behavoir, attendance, homework and exams. (Five) is for summary and (six) is for feedback and questions.
I always have my personal syllabus copies ready for each student to follow. We go through the syllabus and answer any questions. There is no doubt whats due and when.
Diane Allen
On the first day of class, I highlight exclusively all the important requirements and due dates for the class. Yet,as we know, they forget all those dates. I have found telling the class what I am doing before each class, what they should get out of the class and what is due the next class. At the end of class, I summarize the class and discuss what we will be doing the next class.
Hi Vanessa,
You do such a thorough job of making course requirements clear. I've known some instructors to take off 10 pts. if an assignment is late, and if the assignment goes into the third and fourth day, an additional 5 pts. is deducted for those days and after the fourth day the student receives a zero on the assignment.
Patricia
