Using a Well-prepared Syllabus
Why is it important to have a well-prepared syllabus for your course?
Adult learners already have alot on their plates in terms of responsibility. A well organized syllabus establishes a shared expectation for the term.
As a new instructor I utilize syllabus to assist me in creating a calender
A good well thought-out syllabus is extremely important to the students and the instructor.there were times that I have seen syllabi that needed a rosetta stone to decipher.The syllabus must be clear, complete,and contain all the appropriate objectives.If the syllabus is unclear,the student begins to doubt if they're being taught the proper material.
The course syllabus should be a tell-all for the course being taught. It should include the rules and regulations regarding the course. It should include discipline policies if need. It should describe what success is in terms of expectations and grading. The actual grading scale should be included as well as the grading policy. This includes the weighting of tests, quizzes, and exams as applicable. The textbook and all ancillaries should be included. Important due dates should be included such as exams dates, project due dates. Even 'go beyond' materials should be listed for those who want more than the course itself has to offer. In short, everything course related should be included.
Hi Tiffany,
A well prepared syllabus as you know saves a lot of time and frustration on the part of everyone. It lays out the course requirements, expectations and policies. This helps the course to move forward because of the understanding the students have about the course as a result of the syllabus.
Gary
The syllabus is, as the course states, the roadmap to the course. I find that the more details I can put in the syllabus, the better prepared the students are for the course. After the first day of class, students are clear on my expectations for the course, which align with the institution's expectations as well. It is also important that the instructor stick to what is in the syllabus. Students do not want to be told one thing and then the instructor does something else.
Hi Earnest,
Right you are. A well prepared syllabus saves so much time and frustration for everyone. Why an instructor wouldn't prepare a good syllabus is beyond my understanding.
Gary
Hi Lori,
Thank you for sharing your experience with a poorly prepared syllabus. Once you had control of the situation and was able to prepare a quality syllabus you had good results. This information is going to be very helpful to a lot of instructors.
Gary
I think the syllabus gives students clear-cut expectations and structure. Most of us (including me) function better with clear-cut expectations. Seeing basically everything you need to accomplish to pass the course gives an individual a sense of direction and can allay anxiety.
Earnest J. Kendall, MSN, RN-BC
This is very important. From experience I can tell you that a syllabus that did not have much attention to detail was a bear for a course I had to instruct last year. Once the syllabus was revamped it made the flow better and the students were learning more and engaged in the subject matter.
AT THE START OF EACH TERM I GIVE MY STUDENTS A SYLLABUS AND WE GO OVER IT. THERE HOMEWORK IS ON IT EVERY THING THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT PERTAINS TO THE COURSE IS WRITTEN ON IT AND EVEN THEIR PROJECTS AND IF I DO OR DO NOT GIVE EXTRA CREDIT. ALL THE RULES ARE THERE ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS READ IT THAT WAY IN CASE THEY HAVE TO BE OUT A CLASS THEY KNOW WHAT TOEXPECT WHEN THEY RETURN.
The reason you need a well prepared syllabus because this does answer the most important questions students have from gradingto attendance, to requirements
I find that if students are aware of the journey being taken that they can better prepare themselves with questions and areas that they have interest in. In this way the depth of the content can be better plummed. AS through syllabus can assist with this.
It's important to have a well prepared syllabus, because it helps the flow of the class.
We have recently started using new "student-friendly" syllabus, and it has made for happier students.
Hi Rachelle,
So true. It is the road map to and for success. The key is to get the students to see the value of the contents of the syllabus. Once they do they have an operating document to follow throughout the course.
Gary
Hi Sue,
This is a very good idea. This shows the students where they need to be at certain points in the course if they are going to move up the hierarchy.
Gary
A well prepared syllabus will help set the tone for the student as to what it will take to successfully pass the course. It also can be used as a reference tool for the student when they have a question about late work, or make up assignments, they do not have to directly ask the instructor.
I have used Bloom's levels of hierarchy on my syllabus to let students know there are different levels of learning besides just memorizing information for the test.
