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Beyond contracts, school requirements, etc. it helps me know what I am doing next. I teach multiple courses as chariman of gen ed. I can look ahead in spare moments, know what I am to teach, and enhance already prepared lessons, add to, modify and remove. I write notes right on the syllabus so I can change it next time I teach it. It removes a ton of stress from me "flying by the seat of my pants", makes students feel organized, and removes a lot of misunderstanding over what was due, missed, or to be done soon.

I believe that a well-prepared syllabus allows for the students to know exactly what is to be done and what is expected of them. When I was a student I carried around my syllabus like it was the bible to my classes. If it was a good one I didn't really need to ask my instructor questions over anything except subject matter, I took from their examples to create my own and I hope the students I have now appreciate it as much as I appreciated mine.

A well prepared syllabus gives the students a firm understanding of not only the instructors responsibility to the course but also the students responsibility.

A syllabus is a sort of marketing and sales piece. Students who do not understand the syllabus, and students who find frequent errors in the syllabus are likely to pass your class by.

It is essential to the course. Not only does it give the students a very solid understanding of the course, it also can keep you as an instructor focused and concise.

As a student, I always valued knowing specifics about the course on the very first day. I wanted to know the grading scale, the due dates, all major assignments/tests, etc.

In turn, I always provide a well-prepared syllabus on day one. I think this tells the students that I am prepared and organized and it shows them exactly what they need to do to successfully complete the course.

It's essential, Amanda

Barbara - that is a good suggestion. Having details about your expectations is good information.

It gives a students an idea of expectations for the course.

It enables students (and instructor) to "keep on course".

It gives the students a guide for what is expected. If there is a detailed syllabus, it includes chapters to read, assignments to complete and when the quizzes and tests are due.

I have the students sign an "acknowledgement of syllabus" that they have read (and understand) the syllabus - and it also allows me to request contact information for emergency purposes (in case the school has been snowed in or has been closed due to electrical outage - both of which have occured in the last 4 years here) that way I can contact the students before they drive 45 minutes to an hour to get here and can cancel and reschedule class. A signed acknowledgement also makes them accountable for reading and understanding what is in the syllabus as we go over it the first day of class.

Hi David,
Good description of how a syllabus should be constructed and used in a class. It is a powerful tool if developed and used appropriately. If it isn't then it becomes a source of confusion and frustration on the part of students.
Gary

I syllabus protects the teacher in any number of ways, including making certain the instructor keeps looking ahead. The planning in advance required by the syllabus ensures that the instructor is being more proactive in terms of content delivery, lesson plans, and all of the detailed delivery foreshadowed by the syllabus.

Hi Nicholas,
Good point. You need to continue to emphasize the importance of the syllabus. It is a document that is an agreement between you and your students. Within it can be the course requirements, polices and expectations. By walking the students at the beginning of course they can see what is going to transpire in the coming weeks.
Gary

It is always a good rule of thumb to be organized. A well prepared syllabus will make everything run sufficiently. Its just common sense.

a well-prepared syllabus eliminates the need to clear up issues later on. for example, when i first started teaching, i neglected to put a late policy in the syllabus. consequently, when students began turning assignments in late, there was nothing i could do without seeming unfair. had to devise a late policy and convey it to the class before enforcing one--which was not cool.

Unfortunately, some students believe a Syllabus is just a piece of paper. I always remind students periodically throughout the semester to read the syllabus carefully throughout the semester.

It is a requirement to have a well prepared syllabus for any course that you are developing. A properly prepared syllabus will clearly define for the instructor and the students exactly what is required for the course. A syllabus also provides a way for the instructor to announce all policies and procedures that pertain to what is being taught. I also like the suggestion of a signature page at the back of the syllabus for the students to sign, similar to making a contract with the instructor.

Hi Michael,
Right you are about the need for clear and concise expectations, requirements and polices. Once these are made known to the students they can proceed to the actual work of the course.
Gary

In my opinion, unclear expectations introduce uncertainty and anxiety that undermines the learning process. The students need a clear idea of what is expected of them, what content will be covered, key dates like exam dates, and so on. It provides them with a structure for the course and helps them to organize their time to complete the course requirements as best they can.

Each aspect of importance for course success would be included in the document.

Hi Allana,
Good backup plan for making sure the students have full access to the syllabus without any excuses. This should help to keep the students focused on the course and what the requirements are for them in the course.
Gary

Having a well-prepared syllabus is great because it truly does keep the students on track and well forcused on the class and what to expact from the class. It helps students plan ahead if they forsee being absent for class and also to plan in advance on working on assignments and projects. Any questions they need to ask along the way will aid them in preparing their assignments. I also post my class content and syllabus on their student portal at school to make sure that if they lose their paper copy, they also have an electronic copy to access as well.

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