Hi May,
Good points about why a syllabus needs to be well prepared. I like your idea of the syllabus being the gps for the course. It really is because it helps the students get to their destination.
Gary
A well prepared syllabus is essential for both the instructor and the students. The students then know exactly what is covered and what needs to be done, and the dates of the items due. The instructor also will be able to be prepared and ready for class and for questions over the topics that have just been presented, going to be presented and if students are looking ahead and doing work ahead.
It is a gps system for the course.
It is important to have a well-prepared syllabus so the students know what the rules are upfront and know what the consequences are if they don't follow the rules.
It is important to use a well-prepared syllabus so that the students know what is expected of them.
The syllabus sets a tone for the class and establishes an early point of contact between instructor and student.
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A detailed course syllabus, handed out on the first day of class, gives students an immediate sense of what the course will cover, what work is expected of them, and how their performance will be evaluated.
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An effective syllabus increases the likelihood of student success in your class. The syllabus guides learning in accordance with your expectations and demonstrates that you care about students’ learning. A well-prepared course syllabus shows students that you take your teaching seriously.
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A well-designed, detailed syllabus serves as a roadmap of the course for both instructor and student and decreases the number of problems that arise.
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The creation of a syllabus can aid in the design and development of a course.
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The syllabus provides pertinent information about your course to your colleagues and department.
A well prepared syllabus makes for a well structured learning environment. It's crucial for the instructor to refer to the syllabus on a regular basis to stay within the parameters of the course outline.
Hi Renita,
Thank you for this great example of why the syllabus needs to be clear and concise. This way the students don't have drop back positions they can use as excuses because you have already addressed the excuses in the syllabus. The use of computers in the library being one.
Gary
It is important because it is a guide for your students on the path in completing the course successfully. It tells them exactly what will be required of them. It answers most of their questions and concerns about the course. Finally, it makes them more at ease because they have something to go by and they can make goals of their own.
I have found that the syllabus helps not only to inform of what is coming, but also to prevent things from happening. About every other time I have taught the same course, I have added or fine tuned portions of the syllabus. This includes more than just subject material changes, new textbooks, and dates of assignment/exams. Situations that I had not thought of previously, that became an issue this time around, are now addressed in the syllabus to prevent further reoccurrences. Ex: The excuse, "I don't have a computer at home to type the assignment." The syllabus now reminds students that the library is available during the week and weekends. They are to check normal operational times.
Hi Julie,
Good point and one of the main reasons why the syllabus needs to be well prepared. This is the working document for the course so it needs to have accurate information for the students as they work through the course.
Gary
I also review the syllabus frequently. No matter how many times we discuss it in class and everyone agrees that they understand everything on the syllabus, there is always a student who claims they didn't know something about the course expectations...I then refer them back to the syllabus.
Hi Karen,
Good points about the value of a well prepared syllabus to and for students. The results are just as you describe them so the students have less anxiety and frustration and are more ready to move forward in the course.
Gary
I'd like to respond to this question from the angle of the student's anxieties. Since the syllabus is so specific and addresses the often unspoken but very present concerns of students, a syllabus can actually give them a sense of security because it not only offers specific content, but that content provides the structure - i.e. boundaries and focus - of the class. It becomes a ready reference for questions that may arise later after leaving the class and a springboard for further questions with the instructor as needed.
Hi Shiva,
Thank you for this suggestion. As you say there are a number of resources available so instructors don't have to start from zero in developing their syllabi.
Gary
Hi Nick,
Thank you for sharing your experience with using the weekly post format. Students have so many life pressures that they tend to be short sighted as you know. This is good information for instructors to have so they will keep short term reminders in front of the students as a result of your sharing your experience.
Gary
It serves as your guide to the course, especially if a number of instructors are teaching the subject.
Invaluableto the course and the students as a guide anda source of information.
There are several guides and template to create
a syllabus. Some of them are free and can
be found in Internet.
I have done a monthly calendar as well until recently when I started doing a weekly approach such as yourself. I too, noticed that the students seemed to respond a little better compared to the monthly posting. It does get overwhelming for them to look at an entire month and see all of this information jam packed. Showing just a week at a time helped relax them a little more and helped them become a little more focused in class.
Agreed. It serves as a great point of reference for them to keep them on track.
