Vagif,
Not sure of your statement. Can you expand on it? Thanks.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
John,
Your last sentence is a good one. You cannot expect different results if you don't prepare a syllabus that informs the students and supports the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
A well prepared syllabus will allow the instructors to plan appropriately. It will also allow students to prepare for class by setting expectations.
Not well-prepared but easy to change syllabus
The well-prepared syllabus lets students know at a glance what the instructor expects (attendance, homework, assignments, etc), how the course will proceed from day to day and what the outcome will be if course objectives are met. The very important day 1 of any course must certainly involve a thorough review of the syllabus with one's students since it lays the ground work for what the instructor will seek to accomplish in that course. I know instructors who gloss over this or worse, simply assign the syllabus as a reading assignment and later wonder why they have problems with students. You reap what you sow.
Angela,
You were very resourceful in pulling together and refining your syllabus. I commend you for this effort. As you have experienced a well prepared syllabus helps to reduce student confusion and frustration plus shows the students that you are organized and ready to teach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
As we learned in module 2, the syllabus is the document that describes our plans for the course and provides information about the course for the students. The instituion where I am an adjunct does provide a template for us to use when pulling together the syllabus. However, they could do a better job of setting expections of the instructor when pulling it together, expecially for those of who are new. The first class that I taught, I used the syllabus that was created by the previous instructor. The second time I taught the same class, I re-worked the syllabus and included a detailed listing of the assignments. This had not been part of the previous syllabus. As an adjunct, I don't know a lot of my colleagues and don't have opportunity to meet them in person. I like the idea of using their past syllabi as samples. I was able to go back to my own course work from my Master's program (I saved my work) and use some of those syllabi.
If a well-prepared syllabus is used, there will be no miscommunication to the student of what will be taught, or what the expectations will be for the course.
LaTunija,
With my externships I have a forms that the students and worksite supervisors fill out during the time the students are on site. In addition, I use a checklist with the students on a regular basis (weekly in our case) so I know what they are doing and that their experiences are on target with the stated objectives. This keeps them accountable and gives me something to grade them on.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Dr Gary I agree with everyone on how well you are to be prepared with your syllabus, but being the externship coordinator how do you get the students to stick by it. Because the students are not in class with you it's hard to reach out to everyone to make sure they are doing what id expected.
Carol,
Good point about the value of the syllabus. A well prepared syllabus does reduce the questions and frustrations because the course requirements are there in front of them at all times.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The syllabus stands as a framework for the run of the entire class. If you have a muddled or convoluted syllabus, the class will be confused about what is required of them and their motivation to show up will be diminished.
Steven,
The syllabus is such a powerful document for all those involved. Your use of it shows exactly what is going on and what the requirements are for the students. Everyone is on the same page this way.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
A good syllabus that has all the information you need in order to hold a student accountable for the expectations of the classroom, what you as an instructor and what your institution expects. If all the information is on there, contact info, books and materials needed, special assignments, grading policies, late work acceptance, attendance, outline of work and chapters to be presented; then when you get the, "I didn't know that.........you can just reply.....it's on your syllabus. It's posted online if you can't find yours so it's available to you anytime!!! That way you remove their excuses.
A well put together syllabus will assist students in planning, not only their study schedules, but assists in planning lives around school. As a student and instructor I understand the importance of being informed of dates in advance, as it helps me juggle life and school.
Using a well prepared syllabus gives the student something to refer to if they have any questions about the course in general. It gives all of the expectations for the class and breaks things down so they can see exactly how they will be graded in the classroom.
I believe that developing a well-prepared syllabus lends itself well to the overall success of a class. It gives the instructor a 'map' for the semester and allows the instructor to develop lecture objectives and goals for each day. It is also a nice overview of the course for the students. The syllabus allows the instructor to set expectations of the students which should lead to less confusion along the way.
Melinda,
Good point. I do this with my syllabus and it really helps me in focusing the attention of students on due dates, projects descriptions and other items that seem to challenge them in terms of deadlines and requirements.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree, by adding an addendum to the syllabus it allows the instructor to add a more practical addition for the students to refer to that will actually be needed in the course. Sometimes the instructor that is teaching the class can draw from experience and add an item that will be needed in a practical situation.
Christopher,
Good points on the value of a well prepared syllabus. It is a powerful learning document that needs to be shared and reviewed with the students so that the course starts off on the same page from the very beginning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
