Hi Terry,
I understand some syllabi are extremely long. Some of mine look like mini catalogs. I like to put everything in writing. I am impressed with the way you treat your students. This is exactly how they should be treated.
Patricia
I give the students all the information they need for my courses in the syllabus. This makes for a long syllabus, but the students have the information they need to be successful in my classes. Then I endeavor to administer the class and treat each student with fairness, respect, and equality.
Listen and follow up. It is the same concern in the workplace. There will always be someone who likes to complain. It is important to do your best and try to take care of the issue but sometimes it doesn't work. That is when you involve a partner.
Hi Sheila,
It is very nice whenever rules/guidelines are indicated on the syllabus. Students have something to refer to, and the syllabus means it is etched in stone.
Patricia
Have as much of your classroom policy outlined in your syllabus as possible! Also, I tell students that if they feel I incorrecly marked an answer wrong on a test or homework, I will be excited to have them cite their (reliable) resources to prove their answer was in fact correct-- it means they've done some research!
Hi John,
Information can certainly be misconstrued. As a good faculty/staff we must do our role to set the record straight whenever we hear students talking inaccurately.
Patricia
Hi Michelle,
Being fair is a must. The minute students find out that the instructor is unfair, the complaints really surface. Stick to your words and treat all students the same.
Patricia
Strategies taht Instructors can utilize to reduce student complains include having clear guidelies or rubic of how assigments are graded along with a calendar of deadlines included in their syllabus. They can also review this information with students at the begining of class to anser any questions and also listen to any concerns that may arrise. But most of all the instructor must remain fai and adhere to the rules which were established at the begining of class or students will take advantage and find more reasons to complain.
Some times students get second, third or forth hand information from other students, so it is important to correct the spread of misinformation as soom as possible.
I have a system in place so that students can check their progress and make sure that there aren't mistakes in the progress report. This really helps to resolve issues before grades are inputed.
It is important that an instructor has grading, attendance, class participation, and assignment policies clearly stated in the class syllabus. Grading rubrics for all assignments should be given and explained to the students. Students and instructors should be aware of the procedures for filing a complaint within their institution. If a problem does arise with a student, the instructor needs to listen and discuss the issue with the studdnt as soon as possible. The sooner the issue is resoled, the better it is for the individual student and for the entire class.
Hi John,
It certainly is important to revisit expectations. Invariably, you will get a student or students that will act as though they never heard the announcement. This amazes me, but it happens every grading period. I encourage my students to write things down, instead of relying soley on memory.
Patricia
I feel is is also important to revisit expectations periodically.
Giving a very clear outline at the begining of the course as to what is expected and how it relates to the work world.
Hi Suzie,
Please share the situation/solution program. I would love to hear about it. I suppose it is very effective. I like how the student must be involved in the problem solving. This is a great way to work on problem solving skills.
Patricia
Hi John,
Students need to know up front what is expected of them. Students also need very explicit and clear instructions so that there are no gray areas that will cause a lack of understanding. I like how you try to make sure students take notes. The notes can be used as a great reference tool.
Patricia
Making sure that all instructions and expectations are clearly defined at the begining of a course is extreemly important. I try to make sure that every student is taking notes. Paterns will develope, so I also try to improve my course review each rotation.
On the first day of the term I handout the course requirement by me for each week along side of the syllabus,and at the end of lecture i also ask if there are any concern, or misunderstanding that need clarifing on a daily basis
Hi Sue,
I like how you use the term "Sticking" as educators we must say what we mean, and mean what we say. Students must be held to high standards.
Patricia
I have implemented a situation/solution program with my students that empowers them to be part of solving anything that they have an issue with : )
