I use the syllabus to explain all the course material that they will use in this class. It helps to clam them down if they know what thier goals are for each class.
Hi Kelsey,
You put forth great efforts to make sure your students know exactly what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
Hi Sheryl,
The syllabus is certainly a great tool to help clarify things.
Patricia Scales
I review the syllabus on the first day. My syllabus includes the points value for each assignment or week.
I also write a schedule on the white board each night as well as the assignments for the week and the due dates.
I verbally remind them of future due dates for larger projects and exams.
I go over the syllabus at great length and each class I clearly mark out what is expected.
The first day of class I review the course syllabus with the students. Each day I write the schedule up on the white board along with assignments for the week and the due date for the assignments. I usually verbally remind them of the due dates that are further out for projects.
I use to write the course objective that we would be addressing that day, but found the students would rather know what hands-on activity was planned for the day.
I go over each and every aspect of the syllabus from grading requirements, to assignments, to late penalities. I do a smaller version of this every class meeting.
My course requirements are included in the course syllabi. I also have a weekly calendar for the dates when projects, homework and tests and quizzes are scheduled.
On the first day of class, we go over and discuss the contents of the syllabi and I make it clear to the students that they can ask questions for clarification about requirements and expectations at that time.
If applicable, I include examples and / or templates for the students to use as guide for writing assignments or provide links as further resource.
It amazes me how often the student's will express confusion or misunderstanding of due dates and expectation despite going over the details of the syllabus. I have emphasized to my students as well as my faculty the importance of the syllabus and using it as a road map through the course. I had a student ask me to put all the research articles I had assigned to be read in a binder with a calendar for them. I was somewhat shocked at the "attitude" of do it all for me from many of my students today.
I use the assigned assignments from the book and I follow the syllabus.
As a new instructor, I was using only the syllabus supplied to the students. This was not a good strategy, since I did not reinforce or go over the criteria in the syllabus with my students. I also did not explain the course objectives or requirements at the first meeting.
Now that I have taken this course, I will organize our first class much differently. Exlaining what is going to be taught, how it will benefit the students in their future career, and what will be required from them to suceed in the course.
Hi Jamilya,
Great way to provide clarity! Everyone benefits for Q&A sessions, even if it is nothing more than confirming the way they understand it.
Patricia Scales
Thoroughly reviewing the assignment sheet, providing examples of completed coursework, and performing a Q&A are methods currently used to make course requirements clear. By doing so, students have a better understanding of what's expected and required of them to complete the asigned course. Q&A are awesome too! I enjoy this part because some students aren't shy and will ask questions pertaining to the course that maybe another student wanted to ask but didn't allowing to them to have a better understanding.
Hi Jeffery,
Students love when we can demonstrate to them what is expected. Visual adds clarity.
Patricia Scales
I use a syllabus that outlines everything that will be covered in the course and everything expected of the students. I then go over all of it to make sure that it is understood and to answer any questions the students may have.
I work in a technical school so most of the student assignments are hands on assessments. I am always very clear on what I expect for every project and Will demonstrate how to correctly accomplish assignments that are new to the students in my class
Hi Charlene,
Super! You do a thorough job of keeping students abreast as to what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
In the first hour of class I explain the Syllabus, which includes grading, a chart showing where they should be in the online learning. There is a list showing when tests are due. They copy a folder from the computer to their USB drive which include sub-folders for each major test and each minor assessment as required for the course. From my computer I display a blank copy of the spreadsheet I use which shows the value of each required assessment. Each day I post on the white board what they should be doing that day and what is expected or due the next day.
Each student is given 2 copies of the College attendance policy. They must read, sign and hand one copy to me by the end of the first class. This also explains that late assignments are penalized 10% if handed in a day late. After one day the score is Zero. The courses are basically 8 days 4 hours a day thus they must keep on target. I encourage the students to ask me questions while they are doing the training as I do not answer question while they are taking the online quizes. So far what I have seen in this course is pretty much what I do considering the course structure only allows for 1 hour of lecture and 29 hours of lab.
Instructing in the online environment presents some challenges. I post the syllabus along with my course expectations and calendar of assignment due dates. I post a separate thread that requires the student to respond that they have downloaded, read and understand all of the pertinent elements. I also post a course questions thread for the week. This benefits not only the student but others who may have had the same question.
Requirements are discussed at length and then students are allowed to ask questions.
