It is important to make requirements clear in the class room so that students know what to expect. On the first day I go over my requirements and have them sign that they understand.
making course requirements clear for the course
to the student will be very helpful guideline & navigator.
Hi Shirley,
I can tell you are very thorough and informative from your response. Students must use extreme caution when they say you did not tell them that. It appears you leave no stone unturned.
Patricia
While I am only in my second module of teaching I have definitely learned that continuing education is important so I too am learning and improving each class I teach.
going over the syllabus in class, setting deadlines for class work, and establish homework assignments.
I think a factor in this can be that as a professional college the student comes in with the idea that they are only going to be getting "job training" and that is not the case. A person needs more than the professional skills to be successful and get ahead. I'm not saying that one cannot be successful only based on experience but if that is what the student is expecting from attending a professional college they need to be informed quickly that is not the case. A professional college will teach job skills, professional skills, and personal skills to make the individual better overall and to stand out in their field.
That is certainly the case for some students. There are also students that have been away from school for a long time and need to relearn their "study" skills or learn them for the first time. Our environment is certainly a diverse one that we need to recognize quickly so that we can reach each student in the best way possible.
First of all I would introduce myself and the title of the course and take attendance. Afterwards, I will throughly review the course syllabus entirely leaving adaquate time for discussion. Completion of the syllabus, the form that will be attached to the back of the syllabus will need to be signed and turn end indicating that you have read and understood the course requirements before any student leaves class.
I agree completely. I usually take the time to review the entire 1 page document that they sign. I read every word, provide explanation, and then ask if there are questions. I inform the students up front that when they sign they are in total agreement with what is written.
I become more specific every quarter. I now present the grade schematic for every major assignment on the first day of class. I review the expectations an day 1, and again when the students begin working on the assignment.
Hi Marshall,
Securing a signature is real serious to a lot of stdents. Most really think about what they are signing.
Patricia
One is to have it in the syllabus, have a seperate handout and have them sign for there syllabus and date after it was read aloud to the class the interity of the syllabus.
When assignments that are very important or so to speak the "biggie" ones, they are automatically listed in the syllabus that is handed to the students on the first day of class.
The next step I take is that I let the students know about the assignments and where they are listed in the syllabus and go over(a little on the first day, and more in detail on a later day) the assignments with them verbally, to make sure that they also understand that as well.
If it is an assignment that is due later in the term I will tell them once a week up until the assignment is due. Constantly reminding that the assignments are due on that certain day let's them know how much time they have left to complete the assignment and also to let them know that I too am on my toes, and have not forgotten that they have an assignment due(even though we know that students secretly hope that we forget the due date of an assignment).
Of course no matter how many times you may repeat and enforce that an assignment is due on any particular date, there is always that one or even two students that still use the "well I didn't know" or "you didn't tell us" excuse. Unfortunately it does not fly with me as I tell them that the due date was clearly expresed in the syllabus as well as verbally on the first day. Also that they weren't constantly reminded up until that due date of the assignment that said assignment was due.
It is crucial to give them a clear syllabus, all points should be clear out from the beginning, the more exact the syllabus is the less problems with the students later.
Hi Velma,
Could be, but we must explain to them it is not just another piece of paper to sign. We have to make them see the importance by giving a full explanation.
Patricia
Hi Miriam,
Students need to realize how much dedication and time college really takes. Some of our students want to skate through college and not do what it takes to be successful.
Patricia
I agree and it helps them to prepare themselves emotionally and intellectually for the time and effort they will have to dedicate to a course.
Tracy, that's a great idea. This diffuses the stress of feeling they need to accomplish a major task in a short period of time. They can focus on smaller goals which are easier to accomplish. That's a great way to set the students up for success.
Velma
Thanks Miriam,
If the expectations and requirements are clear to each student at the outset,I think it often make the students more comfortable and less anxious. This I feel frees them up emotionally to become more engaged in the work ahead.
Hi Michael,
Even though deadlines, policies, etc. are expressed in the syllabus I still remind my students. Some students need the reminders, others are fine.
Patricia
