Hi LE,
Good point. The syllabus is a valuable tool for everyone as you mentioned. The review part for yourself can really be beneficial if you want to make changes in the course. By looking at the sections outlined in the syllabus you can see where you want to insert new material or assignments.
Gary
Sometimes a negative experience can be a learning experience when a syllabus is not well prepared. It leaves both the instructor and the students at a disadvantage right from the start. Attempting to work with a poorly prepared syllabus vastly increases the appreciation for the value of a well prepared one.
Preparing the Syllabus helps me to think through the course and begin to plan how I will teach the course. The Syllabus is also important to my students because it gives them an overview of the course and my expectations of them.
Hi Marcelene,
Great list! You have it all laid out and you don't have to remember to not forget something. I use lists as well and they really help me to keep on target as you mentioned.
Gary
Hi Marietta,
Great to hear. I wish you much success with your students.
Gary
Using a well prepared syllabus is like my Bible. I could not conduct class without it and I find that I refer to it for every class. Perhaps to make sure that we're all on the same page and to prevent any surprises.
At the end of every class, I refer to it and make mention of the next class, what we're going to do, and what is expected of the students.
Another tool I find equally helpful is my own agenda for each class. Here is an example:
1.Welcome, Comments, Any News or Articles to Discuss, Any Experiences In Clinic to Discuss
2.Class Activity - like a quiz
3.Lecture - Power Point
4.Video or CD-ROM
5.Class Discussion
6.Break
7.Lab Activity Begins
8.Next Class and What is Expected- Review for Quiz
9.Chapters to READ
10.Speaker (if any)
11.Dismiss Class
Guess you might call my agenda my own little cheat sheet! It does keep me from getting off track.
You have provided me with some very valuable information for my classes. Many of my classes are one, two or three day classes. I do that with my two and tree day classes because many students in my classes feel because this is makeup school they don't have to take notes or participate. Many just want to do makeup and it bothers me that they don't want to write anything down. I finally asked them how they were planning to retain all of this information? They just gave me that blank look. I found that giving them the syllabus and going over it lets them know what is expected of them. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, I never thought of it in terms of a contract but it make perfect sense. Thank you for sharing.
A well prepared syllabus gives the students what to expect and be prepared for. The worst situation is to have unprepared students, then no one will learn and it makes it more difficult to teach.
To help the students understand what is going to be covered in the course and what is expected of them.
Having a well prepared syllabus is a road map for the students and the instructor as well. It is a written policy that holds the students accountable to the course content and it's delivery.
A well-prepared syllabus helps the instructor to avoid confusion and inconsistency in their class. It gives the student all of the information required to be successful in the class, and it can be easily referred to if there is some issue that develops between the instructor and student. A syllabus that is unclear will not be able to help resolve controversy, and an unclear syllabus will not assist the student in questions they may have about course content or a calendar issue.
A well-prepared syllabus saves the instructor from lots of wasted time and any potential headaches that may develop during the course of the class.
The syllabus guides the students on what is expected of them as well as what they can expect from the course. A good syllabus provides the students with all of the information they need regarding grading, late assignments, course topics, readings, other resources, etc. that the student needs during the course. It is unlikely that an instructor will ever have the “perfect” syllabus because content, policies and procedures, course resources and other materials are always changing but instructors can use the best pieces of the past to help build future syllabi.
Hi Wardell,
This to me would be value added information for your students plus it sets the standard for what is going to go on in the course.
Gary
That's a great idea! I'm going to use that one in my instructional style from now on. In the past, the only time I have referred to the syllabus is when there is a confrontation that can be resolved by pointing out the item which is currently in dispute. I ask, "Well, I know you read your syllabus, right...?" The response is always: "Of course not! Who reads those things?" The implication there is that the syllabus is irrelevant and something I indulge in meaninglessly, just to kill trees. However, if I instead brought up the syllabus on a daily basis, it would retain its level of pertinence.
The syllabus needs to be well prepared for all those reasons but one reason was lacking, it is a contract and if it is well written protects the instructor against student grievnaces.
To guide your students with what is expected within your course. It outlines the objectives, tasks that need to be completed as well as what ther "rules" are within your classroom/lab.
My question is this: I have always had a detailed syllabi for my courses. Could this be too much information or too overwhelming for the students? I know many students like to know this information.
Students like to have structure and a syllabus gives them everything they need to know and what they can expect from the class.
Students have many questions about a course and if the syllabus is well written, then they have a resource to count on to answer their questions. They often get stuck at times when an instructor is not available (late at night when they are trying to get an assignment completed. If the syllabus is well written, it could provide an answer and allow a student to finish their work.
To know what you need to bring to the class, understanding what topics or chapters need to be discuss and being prepared for the class. So students can understand what topics will be discuss in class or what materials or information will be part of the learning environment.
