Michelle,
This is how I use the syllabus that my college uses. I have a handout that covers the grading rubric and other items such as due dates. I want to support your comments about the use of a grading rubric because it is such a valuable resource. A grading rubric reduces student confusion and questions plus when a question does come up I am able to go to the exact section where points were earned or lost. Saves a lot of time this way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Georgianna,
Thank you for this good explanation of the value of a well prepared syllabus. It benefits everyone when it is clear and concise for understanding and use of the students and faculty.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am required to use the syllabi that is made available by the college that I teach at. However, I do find that these syllabi are very well laid out as far as an high level explantion of what will be going on each week in class. I add to the syllabi in two ways. I offer the students a rubric, which outlines the grading scale and in great detail explains what each peice of th grading scale represents. I also give the students a lesson plan that outlines what I plan to cover each day of class, what materials are to be utilized and what the homework is. This lesson plan outlines when prjects are both assigned and due and when any kind of evaluation is going to be taking place. I find that by laying it oall out on the table fo them first day of class it eases their anxiety, lets them know exactly what is expected of them and allows me to run class in a very smooth way.
Daphne,
Like the way you phrase the statement about taking the mystery out of education. Students should be informed of polices, expectations and requirements from day one via announcements and the syllabus. Not to inform them is unprofessional and creates frustration that doesn't need to exist.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel that a detailed syllabus is not only good for the student but helps keep me on track. We don't really have much wiggle room in our schedule to get off track. It also lets the student know what to expect from each module that they will go through to get to their final destination. I find that it also creates excitement in the classroom, anticipating about what they are going to learn in the next step to their new career.
A well-prepared syllabus is a great strategic to have a successful class for both students and instructor. Usually people don’t enjoy mysteries when it comes to education, because often students are questioning or even underestimate themselves about a subject. With a detail syllabus, everyone has access to the same information which makes it a fair game to start. Not only the syllabus keeps the instructor on track, but also students know the expectations. Therefore they are not afraid of the unknown, and some of them may start doing some inquiring in advance to help them succeed.
Thomas,
I agree with you about the students eating instructors alive that are not prepared. It seems that students live for this moment. When you are prepared you have confidence and this expands to encompass the students as well. It is so much easier to face a class when you know you are ready than stand there trying to think of something to say to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As they say "Be Prepared"! I have known a few instructors who have tried this and it didn't work out well. I have been an instructor for many years and take pride in my work and I can tell you that students will eat you alive if you don't have a plan such as your syllabus. They need to have it and be aloud to review it and discuss it.
Harrison,
As the learning leader you set the boundaries for the course and what is going to occur within it. You have a clear and concise syllabus that lays everything out and this reduces the opportunities for students to slide through one of the cracks in your evaluation scheme. Well done.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use a very well prepared syllabus. Every point is signed for and recorded, there is no wiggle room. If a student can get away with something, they will, BUT NOT IN MY CLASS. I have had too many bad experiences by being too nice and giving that inch, and the student takes the mile!
A well prepared syllabus will give the students clear and distinct instructions rearding the course. It will spell out the requirements for the course and due dates for assignments so the students will be able to track their progress throughout the course. It will also provide the instructor with a tool for disciplining for late assignments since the student will have ample time to complete work if it is listed on the syllabus at the start of the class.
Debi,
Like the way you explain how a syllabus can be used to inform and guide students. This creates value to the students in relation to syllabus because it gives them an overview of the course as well as a road map to follow during the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well-prepared syllabus is helpful to both instructor and student. While teaching in a traditional college, I designed my own syllabus. Since I am now teaching a great course that was designed by a curriculum specialist in a proprietary college, the syllabus provides a thumbnail sketch of policies and requirements that pertain specifically to the course. It also serves as an aerial map, informing students and myself of the generalities of a day-to-day trek that will be uncovered in the 20 days that our class meets. A syllabus takes some of the mystery out of unknown territory, allowing those who are taking the journey to know in basic ways what is required for successful course completion. Similar to the way a picture says a thousand words, a well-prepared syllabus answers a thousand questions!
Jackie,
I have this problem as well in my classes. You are right about the supplemental materials. I give handouts that support the standard syllabus that contain specific content in relation to polices, requirements and assignments for my courses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well-prepared syllabus will make it easier to teach the course in the long run. THe hardest thing for me to do, however, is to take the "one size fits all" syllabus furnished by the school and adapt it to the needs of my current students, and their learning styles, etc. Thank goodness for Addendums and their assistance in shifting things around to make them a better "fit" for the students and the goals for the class.
Alice,
Like the way you use your syllabus. This increases the value of the syllabus to the students when it is used as a reference guide and source of operational content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
James,
Thank you for the comments that come from the value that come from a well prepared syllabus. You are right in that it gives the students a road map for the course and reduces assignment/policy questions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel like I have been going to school for many years without a light at the end of the tunnel (which is not always a bad thing). I do have a tendency to put myself in the students place because I feel that if its hard or too difficult for me to understand, why should I aspect my students to be able to do something I'm not able to? I believe that by having a well-prepared syllabus gives students the necessary tools to know what is expected of them in class as well on ways of being prepared. Instead of presenting the sybllabus as an outline of the class, it is useful to present it to the students as a "reference guide."
I think that a well-prepared syllabus is a huge asset to an instructor. Staying on course with material is crucial into covering the objectives and content.
It also leaves little "recoil" from students. If you stress the importance of a syllabus, students have expectations and guidelines in front of them. It leaves more time for you to be a teacher, than answering random questions, such as: When is this due? What are we doing next week? What is the test going to be over? etc.....
Micheal,
What do you do to help your students to review the syllabus?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
