Couldn't agree more. As a relatively new instructor I quickly realized how a well prepared syllabus is the starting point for the students and for myself.
We use the same format for our syllabi throughout the college. This helps streamline the information for the students. I love it!
The syllabus for me is the most important toll for the class. I have outlined the policies and expectations clearly and can then refer back to it when my students have questions. We have a lengthy class and it can become easy to forget all the expectations discussed at the orientation.
It is also useful to enhance the students' soft-skills. I make them look up the answer to their questions in the syllabus first before I answer it. This is similar to the working environment. Many times supervisors will refer you the handbooks and manuals.
For me it helps put my students at ease by expaining what I expect from them throughout the corse and a guid to how the class is going to progress.
Tina,
Right you are. This is such a great service to and for your students. A well prepared syllabus answers many of the questions that students have about the course and helps to get them forward focused and prepared for the upcoming sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well-prepared syllabus for the students is like the "best thing next to baked bread".
The students express that they are able to complete assignments in a timely manner as well as work ahead if they have spare time.
I feel this important for the students because they feel that they have control over their course. Able to see in advance what they need to complete if they are going to miss a class or be late.
Andrew,
Thank you so much for these excellent tips on how to prepare for classes. If the new instructors follow your suggestions then I know they will be ready to meet their classes and be the learning leaders they need to be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Using a well-prepared syllabus is such an important tool not just for the student, but also the instructor. Having had to design over 20 different college courses from start to finish I can honestly say that my approach to this document has developed and expanded over time. I have found that the more detail that I put into the syllabus the better the results I have each semester. A few tips I would like to offer to new instructors that were mentioned in the course content include:
1. Making sure that all learning objectives are clearly spelled out and do indeed reflect the course content. It can be easy for an instructor to write objectives and get ahead of themselves. This is where setting goals as discussed in the course is very important. I find myself writing my goals and my content outline first. I then make sure that the goals and content do reflect the course objectives. It is easy for most instructors to loose track or veer too far from the original objectives and goals of the course.
2. When placing your homework due dates and other assessment dates make sure to plan ahead with review activities. I will color code these in the syllabus to that I remind myself and the students. A little recap before walking into exams can really help student understand what the expectations of assignments and exams is.
3. Set clear attendance and late work policies. Whatever you do this should be clearly outlined and reviewed with student. Then you must enforce these policies.
4. Don't forget to plan with the academic calendar in mind. Keep track of holidays and days off. How will these dates impact class performance? Just a good thing to keep in mind.
By preparing a well-prepared syllabus you can save yourself and your students a lot of guess work. Be proactive and create a great syllabus. Then follow it the best you can. Hope this helps, -Andy
A well-prepared syllabus is paramount in setting the expectations and requirements for a course. Although it will not provide the details of a lesson plan, it's the cornerstone from which the instructor and student can refer to at any point in the course to determine if key learning objectives are being met.
Students should be able to see that their roadmap to classroom success has already been mapped out and they can have confidence in the institutions and the instructors ability to guide them on that road. As curriculums are dynmic and always changing, its important that the syllabus be up to date, with new assignments, objectives etc. being updated to reflect the present course.
A well-prepared syllabus is important for many reasons. A Syllabus shows the students the class content, the grading policies, attendance, instructor expectations, what they will need to know, study, when tests are. It is also important for the instructor cause it is a guideline to keep them on tract and refer back to and make sure the course is going in the proper order.
because the syllabus will help outline the course, and what the material we will cover in class and the grading system, what paper are due, assisgnments and class rules
Bliss,
It is the foundation upon which the course expectations are built and communicated and this is why it needs to be clear and concise. This gets everyone on the same page and looking forward to what is going to be shared in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having a well prepared syllabus gives the student an understanding on what is expected out of them as well as what we are looking for. I think it's always better being prepared then unprepared so to start the class with that structure on how the class will run will prepare them for there future.
James,
Right you are and this is why we need to review our syllabi and make sure we are sending the intended message and help our students to see why we are covering what we are.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well prepared syllabus is beneficial to the instructor and students. A well prepared syllabus is a great tool to help students to prepare and understand what is expected from them and what they will be learning for that subject. A syllabus can be a guide for students and the instructor.
A well-prepared syllabus is one that is learning-centered. The learning-centered course syllabus focuses on the needs of the students and their learning process. Instructors explicitly include information that will promote positive students learning outcomes and facilitates students’ academic success.
Landis,
This is so true in relation to the importance of a well prepared syllabus. The syllabus answers many of the questions that students have as well as gives them a perspective on how the course is going to operate and what the expectations are. By having this information from the beginning students will have their anxiety reduced and be able to focus on the upcoming course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well prepared syllabus will take any ambiguity out of any classroom. Plus a well prepared syllabus allows the more advanced students the ability to read ahead or to prepare in advance for upcoming classroom meetings.
Also a well prepared syllabus also defines your standards so that all students know exactly what is expected of them and what they can expect from the instructor and the school.
A well prepared syllabus also enables the college to meet legal expectations of state licensing boards, especially in nursing programs where states required board certifications for graduates.
Landis
A well prepared syllabus provides expectations and answers questions for students. It's an essential resource for any course within a curriculum for both students and instructors. The ability to refer to the syllabus can save time and effort by both parties if the syllabus is well prepared and comprehensive.
