Heather,
I follow your strategy in my classes. I distribute and review the syllabus with my students. I have them sign that they have received a syllabus and that we have covered it in class. This starts their course accountability from day one and as you mention reduces student excuses in relation to not getting the information about assignments and due dates.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is important for many reasons. For me it gives me clear guidelines and course content. This helps me stay on point and on task every week. It also serves the same purpose for my students. It gives them a clear understanding of the rules, goals and expectations of this class. We always go over the syllabus on day one of class and I allow time for everyone to ask any questions they might have. Then they have until next class to sign a statement that they have read and understand they syllabus. This way if someone says "I didn't know that" later in the semester, I have signed documentation.
Leslie,
Right you are. This is why it is so important to have a well organized and informative syllabus to share with your students as you get a new course underway.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In my experience as a teacher and as a continuing education student, a well-prepared syllabus is very important and essential to a course. It not only explains what the students can expect but also gives the instructor something to come back to for reference should any situation or need for that arise.
WAEL,
Thank you for these points concerning the value of a well prepared syllabus. Such a syllabus reduces so many questions and frustrations by students because it answers their questions and helps them understand what the expectations of the course are.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The syllabus serves as a contract which has the rights and responsibilities for me and my students. It should provide students with all the information they need to know to succeed in the course. They will be more prepared to overcome academic challenges if they have an idea of what to expect and when and how to deal with these challenges. I use my syllabus to set and high expectations for student performance. A well written syllabus will go a long way in building a smooth learning process.
Krista,
This is so true. The syllabus is much like a contract between the students and yourself so it needs to be complete and accurate. A well prepared syllabus reduces student frustrations in terms of course requirements and helps answer many of their questions about course expectations. This lets you focus on moving the course forward and expanding the learning opportunities for your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well prepared syllabus will prevent any confusion/conflict later on. This gives the students an understanding of what is expected of them. If it is well prepared and clear then they student should be satisfied that they are recieving the fair treatment and the education that they were expecting when they first started the course and read the syllabus.
Habibah,
The results of your amending your syllabus are going to yield a better informed group of students. I mention in my syllabus student projects and how the projects figure into their grades. I provide them with a handout on each specific project so they have more details along with due dates. I put these handouts on colored paper so they will stand out and I can refer to them by color when I review when a project is due. With this approach I am helping my students to see the value of their projects and what they need to do to be successful with the project.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well prepared syllabus should lay out expectations between the student and the instructor so that there is no confusion. It is definitely a contract and should come with a page for their signature stating that they understand and agree.
Currently I do not feel as though I have a well prepared syllabus and wish that I was able to use the one provided as a general guide and then, add in my expectations. Currently I feel like the syllabus does not really explain enough about clinical expectations or provide a means that the clinical environment is graded. I have made an evaluation tool to help me better in the process, but I still feel like the syllabus is very vague on the subject. I will have to look into the process of amending it.
FRIEDA,
This is the power and value of the syllabus. By having a well prepared syllabus you answer the questions that student have as well as give them concrete information that will help them to get off to a good start in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well prepared syllabus provides the student with all the pertinent information needed for the course.
It should provide dates with themes of the lecture along with material to be used.
It should also give clear explanation for grading and include policy of the institution that apply to the course.
Creating and using a well-prepared syllabus is essential in communicating expectations for your course. It sets the stage for learning. Students need clear directions and instructions of how they will meet the learning outcomes and course objectives.
If you have a well prepared syllabus students know exactly what they can expect from me as an instructor and more importantly what is expected from them. When I first started teaching, my syllabi were not as thought out as they should have been and the students were unclear as to what their expectations were and how I was going to handle the class. If created a lot of questions and frustrations with the students.
Equanda,
Good analysis of the value of a well prepared syllabus. This is what makes the syllabus valuable to the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do agree. It is a reference for the course for the instructor and student to refer back to when in doubt. It is a very helpful tool for guidance and it is in wrting.
It is important to have a well-prepared syllabus because it will allow the student to have an outline of what is expected for the course ;therefore, the instructor and student both will know what will be expected for the course in writing.Also, it will allow the instructor to have a better lesson plan and the student will be better prepared for the lesson for class participation).
Joanne,
So important because students do not like surprises. Everything needs to be laid out in a clear and concise manner. By doing so you are increasing the value of the syllabus to the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well-prepared syllabus outlines what exactly students can expect. There won't be any surprises.
A well-prepared syllabus makes it easier for learners to see
• what's in it for them- knowledge, skills and abilities they will learn
• how relevant the information/knowledge to their careers
• it will motivate them to learn and make the most because how they will apply their knowledge in the field they are entering.
