It's important to have a well prepared syllabus not just so your students will know where they are going but so you will also.
Having a well-prepared syllabus allows the instructor to stay focused on the timeline of the course. It also allows students to prepare for the material being taught, and to build certain expectation for each class.Having this type of structure allows students to recognize the professionalism of the instructor and of the class in general.
Since I teach a course that most students take at the beginning of their college career, having a well-prepared syllabus lets them know the expectations and information about what will be happening during my course. I go through it step by step with my students the first day of class.
Kamice,
Your last sentence really puts together the value of a syllabus. It keeps everyone on target for the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ed,
Great list of the reasons why effort needs to be put into developing a comprehensive syllabus. It is the road map (GPS?) for the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A well prepared syllabus benefits both the instructor and the students. It will guide the students along the entire course and it helps the instructor stay on track with set objectives. It also helps some students plan ahead, move ahead and/or to catch up on assignments. I use my syllabus constantly as a reference tool as to where we are and how close we are to following it. The syllabus takes all the guess work out of instructing if it is well prepared and full of details.
A syllabus provides a guide to students in what to expect in a course, the pace material will be presented in, assignments, as well as detailed information about the class itself. A good syllabus allows students to plan ahead, pace themselves, and to know what to expect. A well-prepared syllabus also shows that the instructor cares about the course and the topic and may create student interest when they see the topics presented in the course. A good syllabus also allows instructors and students to be on the same page about the course expectations.
A detailed course syllabus will give students an immediate sense of what the course is about and what work is required.
So that students know what they will be expected to know by the end of the course and the time frames they have to achieve each outcome. A syllabus also informs students about the weighting of assignments and course/classroom policies. It guides the student through the course.
Christopher,
Thanks for the comments about understanding the difference between the two items. You are correct about the differences and the contributions each make to effective instructional effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The syllabus lays out to the student an explanation of the course.
In this module however, both the course outline and syllabus are described as "plans" for the course, so for me initially, that similarity was confusing until I discerned that the outline (blueprint) is for the teacher and the syllabus is for the student.
Patrick,
That had to be a tough course to go through since you weren't sure where the professor was coming from or going to. I reinforce your point about the need for a well prepared syllabus.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gary actually upended to my when I was full time student that one of my professor had a Syllabus that said something and he was going out of something else. We us as Students had the impression of a very unprofessional teacher!!
The Syllabus it is like the rules of the classes where the assignments, the expectation as well are the grades are explained!
Any one else have any other thoughts?
A well prepared syllabus is like a roadmap that students need to navigate through a course. Without it, they can become lost.
The syllabus contains the rules of the class as well as the expectations. As I go over the syllabus, I use the time as part of the lesson. I normally take 1.5-2 hours explaining and link that with communication, for example.
Garry,
Yes, it is and this is why it is so important to have it well laid out and reviewed for the students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Syllabus is the contract fort the student and the instructor. It defines course text books, objectives, potential outcomes, grade break down and other important information.
As stated in the lesson, the syllabus is an agreement betwen you and your students. It helps to guide you to ensure that the students receive everything that they were intended to and it helps the students to know what is planned and the order in which material will be covered.
Angelique,
If you don't have a well prepared syllabus you are like a ship without a rudder. You are just drifting which means your students will drift as well.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Thank you for pointing out that the syllabus should include how they would be graded. Course objectives could also be added, or a course rubric.
