Checklist and Syllabus
The most important element to a class I believe is the syllabus. This ensures that every students knows the class expectations, deadlines, and what the class will be about. I also will utilize the checklist idea to make sure that I am fully prepared to offer the best service possible to my students.
I too feel that the syllabus plays one of the most important tools if not the most important tool a instructor can utilize in the classroom. Looking back at the time I spent in graduate school the syllabus spelled out exactly what was expected of the student. I also liked the syllabus used in my school because it also contained a rubric for grading assignments. I just had to follow that rubric exactly and I received an A for the assignment. The syllabus is the life line of the class for the student.
I agree with you on the importance of the class syllabus--It is so important to have the quidelines available to the students on the first day of class and to be able to refer to the syllabus throughout the course.
