The students and I will use the syllabus as the roadmap for the course. By providing them with the syllabus, I am enabling them to follow the direction of the course.
This is the most critical document from the student's viewpoint as it lays out the requirements and focus of the course. It also describes what is required from the students. A well-written syllabus will answer anticipated questions and be the reference document should procedural questions arise during the course.
It is important to have a well-prepared syllabus because it helps you ensure you select and stay on track for content teaching, let students know what will be required of them and expected of them, and establish goals and objectives to let the students know what they will be learning from the class. It provides a guide to the curriculum and course outline which provides details on course objectives, support materials, resource materials, textbook requirements, and course calendar.
A well-prepared syllabus lays out a clear course on how to proceed in teaching the course in a logical manner. Students benefit from it by knowing what will be taught and when, and therefore will be able to prepare for each day's/Week's lecture. For the Instructor, it serves as a measuring stick to chart a class' progress.
Anthony,
Good plan to follow. I like the fact that you include the grading rubric because this greatly reduces confusion and questions from students. This way they can focus on the class requirements and see what it takes to be successful in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Agreed. I use the syllabus to set parameters for how assignments will be graded, and often even include grading rubrics as well.
Dawn,
We have standardized syllabi so for my courses I prepare a supplemental handout where I list items that I am requiring, am going to cover or any other information like that that I want my student to have. This way I have used the standardized version yet am able to insert my own personality into the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree that a syllabus should be well prepared. However, if the syllabus has been written for the course how do you make it yours?
Holly,
The use of a signed contract sends a very clear message to students about the value you place on the content in the syllabus. It also says they have read the document and that they are aware of the contents. This gives you a backup when students such as the one you mention says they were not told about an upcoming due date for a project. Reduces many questions and puts more ownership on the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Michael,
This is a good point that you make about the syllabus. It is the guide for the course to come and should answer the majority of questions that students have about policies, requirements and expectations. As such it is a contract between you and your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am lucky as well that my syllabi have been built well. I do like the idea of having the "contract" signed by the student. This way if there are any discrepancies it falls on the students. I just recently had a student say he was not sure when the project was due even though it was clear on the syllabus. If we had the student sign the syllabus any questions they may have had about assigments should have been adressed before they signed it.
A view a syllabus as a legal contract between the students and I, but I also see it as the bare minimum required of the relationship.
A completed syllabus does not indicate that an instructors obligation has been met, but rather the enthusiasm and grasp of the knowledge presented.
Monir,
Yes it does. It gets everyone off on the same step as the new course unfolds.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Clear Syllabus help instructor to cover all the course objective as well as students knows what to expect in each class
Tiffany,
Last sentence says it all. Lay it all out! Students need to see what the rules, policies and expectations of the course are and they need to see them in a clear and understandable presentation format.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having a Well-prepared Syllabus will be the key guide to keep both instructor and students on track in covering all plans for the course. With a well-prepared syllabus or "contract" your students will know from the jump what is required to complete the course. Lay it all out!!
Elizabeth,
Without such a document the course will lack structure in the minds of the students. Effort needs to be invested in providing such information in a clear and concise way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well-prepared syllabus outlines the courses expectations, grading, college policies, instructor policies, and course objectives, its an overview or course road map for students.
Suzanne,
You make a key point when you mention the contract aspect of the syllabus. It is not only a contract but a road map for the upcoming course so the students will be informed as well as know when they have reached the goals that have been set forth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The syllabus is the course contract between students and the instructor. It provides students with the expectations of the course, grading, college policies, instructor policies and course objectives.
