Dynamic Syllabi
Creating a dynamic syllabus is the key to drawing the students in. Describing all your expectations of the students as well as the expectations of yourself is very important. I always tell my student what they should expect from me and in turn what I expect from them. I also include a description of the course and the assignments. The last element is ways that students can contact me. I list a lot of different options so that students feel comfortable to contact me in many ways.
james,
That's true, but a project which is described in detail in the syllabus could be altered within the course, hence altering the syllabus. For example, I did a project once in which students were to produce a voice over PowerPoint. Students brought up the point that they would like to use Voki or Prezi or another presentation method. Therefore, we, as a class, edited the project, syllabus, and rubric together to make it work for all learners. Thanks for your input.
The Dynamic Syllabus approach does not mean changing the syllabus in mid-course. Any changes to a syllabus may be done when a new course or marking period starts and the changes are then explained to the students.
Diane,
Interaction and a dymanic syllabus can make the difference between an OK course and a great course. Nice job.
I also believe a dynamic syllabus is important because it needs to keep the students attention. Also it should be mandatory for the students to navigate around and go to different areas. Interaction is key.
Donald,
The points/percentages, requirements, etc. don't necessarily change. However, a project or assignment may morph - for example, maybe you have students do an oral presentation and typically students use PowerPoint, but some students want to use Prezi or Voki or other presentation software. Then, you adapt and the syllabus becomes dynamic as it changes. OR maybe a project is elmininated and replaced with something more appropriate to the students you have - it's the replacement that makes the syllabus dynamic.
I am not sure that I like the notion of a dynamic syllabus. It sounds catchy, but how does it work in practice? If a syllabus is dynamic, and a student does the work required prior to a change in the syllabus, then they have satisfied the requirements of the syllabus. But after the syllabus changes, then the student may need to revise their work to ensure that the work submitted conforms to the new syllabus. In my opinion, this is not an acceptable situation, for the doneness criteria changes, and uncertainty is the norm. Is this what we want, a never assignment or work schedule? It seems to me that students could become very frustrated with a dynamic syllabus and its consequences.
ALLANA,
Keep the passion. The communication the syllabus provides is an excellent starting point for the online course. Keep up the good work.
Absolutely, it is important for the student to make sure that he/she is able to retain the knowledge presented to them the first day of class. Other than expectations and going over the syllabus, it is important that the students feel the instructor's connection to the topic as well. Is there an instant connection between the subject matter and course materials? The passion as an educator to student is very important in the intial process of intro to the syllabus and class expectations.
Alicia ,
Definitely. The students must understand the expectations/outcomes/objectives. Some people give quizzes on the syllabus to make sure the students read and understand.
I always include my objectives for a course in my syllabus. I see this as a promise of what I will teach and a commitment from students as to what they will strive to learn. Including clear objectives keeps me on task and makes the students feel that they are working to achieve a set of specific skills. I also give students options as to how they may communicate with me: in office hours through im, on email, by phone, or in Live Chat.
Kimberly,
The syllabus is the first point of communication and the first place to make the expectations clear. However, things do change - hence the need for dynamic. Thanks for your input.
