The syllabus can answer many of the student's questions and by providing accurate information, it can help the students stay organized, focused, and reduce anxiety.
Dirk,
The topical outline really helps the students to see how the topics are going to unfold and I think this is a great service you are providing the students. Also, by sharing the topical with them you are taking away their excuse that they did not go online and look at the syllabus. Even if they haven't they have the topical so they are still being informed in terms of the direction the course is going to go.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Demetra,
Yes, they do and as a result they are more focused on how they can be prepared and ready for the upcoming activities and content for the week.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jill,
As fellow Type A I can relate to your liking such detail in a syllabus as a student and now desire to do that for your students. I was as a student and now as an instructor the same way. Keep up the effort and detail because it pays off for your students which in turn pays off for you as well. I strongly support your last sentence and your students need to understand this. If they are going to be successful in the workplace they are going to have to be prepared and meet deadlines. If they don't it won't be long before they are going to find themselves seeking employment.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I include a topical outline in calendar form with the syllabus so the students know the outcomes, objectives and description as well as a when projects are due, what will be covered in class and such. There are times that I don't even give a printed syllabus to students as it is available on line, but I ALWAYS give the topical to keep them (and me) on track.
Students feel more comfortable when all the objectives, goals, weekly expectations, plans are presented to them and explained clearly.
It takes the anxiety away.
As a student I used well prepared syllabi to help keep track of when assignments were due and exams were to take place. I'm a type A personality and can never get enough planning and preparing so it was a nice tool to help me do that. As an instructor I hope to provide my students with the same visual timeline as well as to announce it several times in class so they can hear, see and read what is expected of them and meet deadlines. I feel being prepared and meeting deadlines is a critical part of being successful in the real world.
It is important to have a well-prepared syllabus for any course because it shows the students of the course what they will be learning, the pace of the class, what the policies of the instructor and the school are in relation to the class, and what is expected of them in the course. Without a syllabus there will be too much room for error and students may be uncomfortable with how things progress and complain. Having the syllabus will help the students prepare for the class since they will be aware of all of this content.
Meg,
It is the road map that the students will follow in order to enjoy learning success. You are right that it must be clear and informative if it is to serve its' purpose.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well prepared syllabus is important because it details the expectations for the course, the planned schedule for topics covered and tests given, materials required, policies in place, and so much more. It contains the answers to many of the important questions that students will have about the course and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
Ashley,
I agree because a well prepared course answers many of their questions and lets them focus on thinking about how to meet the expectations of the course rather wondering what the instructor wants them to do in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think having a well-prepared syllabus allows many students to "relax" - they know what to expect and when. I like to be prepared and organized and I find a lot of my students are the same way, having a well-prepared syllabus helps them achieve this.
The syllabus is the contract between you and the students, and it defines the contents of the course, the responsibilities and expectations from both parties ( instructors and students).
A well prepared syllabus will also guarantee that the essential information/skill is properly delivered across the board, regardless of the instructor. ( there should be room for each individual style, of course).
However, I would like to bring up the issue of Academic Freedom. At the same time that achieving the goals set forth by the syllabus is the task at hand, having the ability to customize the delivery to the class level, participation and skill is key. Not one single course is taught twice the same way.
It allows students to know that their expectations are (for being prepared and ready for class), what the classroom rules are, and what they can expect to learn during the course of the program. I find that having a well written syllabus allows the students to be 'pre-prepared' for the class - this allows them to read materials prior to lecture - in turn they participate in class lectures too!
Sarah,
It really does by answering many of their questions and reducing their anxiety about course success. Then they can focus on meeting the course expectations because they know what they are.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Stanley,
It is the road map that the students will follow for course success. It needs to outline the expectations and requirements and when it does it answers many of the questions the students have so they can focus on creating a plan for success in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The syllabus can calm fears of students that the course will be to much for them. It sets there goals and for ambitious students they can read ahead it is also a guide line for the instructor
A well prepared syllabus provides and outline of the class on how ,why ,and where the class will go and makes it easier for the instructor because the students are informed about the class and it answers a lot of the student question concerning the class that the instructor will not need to answer and can apply that time to making the class better for the student in answering questions concerning other areas of the class.
Stanley,
A well prepared syllabus answers many student questions and gets everyone on the same page at the beginning of the course. This way the students can concentrate on the course requirements and how they can meet them. Without a good course syllabus they spend a lot of time worrying about what the instructor wants and this should not be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well-prepared syllabus should describe your assignments in detail. List the purpose and expectations of your assignments as well as the logistics of when, where, and how they are due. The more detail you provide, the less time you will spend answering questions in class.
