Darlene,
Good reminder for all instructor. Syllabi have to be current for courses. They are the first formal communication students have with a course so they need to be clear and concise in content and layout.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
You have to start off correctly and if you have an outdated or poorly constructed syllabus, the students will be lost before the class gets started. retype the syllabus instead of making copies from copies. Are you including any recent trends or studies that will supplement your text books? a well-prepared syllabus will start your class off in the right direction.
Zita,
Good point about having a well prepared syllabus. The "I don't know" claims still come up and with a well prepared syllabus those claims can be reduced to referring them back to the syllabus that they were given at the beginning of the course. This also reduces student frustration since they have the needed information in print or online.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Having a well prepared Syllabus is the key tool to what you should be going over in the class, it also helps the students to know what exactly they should be learning from the course.
A well prepared syllabus minimizes confusion and miscommunication between instructor and student. It also serves as a reference point for students when the instructor may be unavailable for questions related to the course. I tend to cover the syllabus in great detail on the first day of class, thereby reducing the number of "i didn't know" claims.
The Syllabus is the road map for a course to be best , and to make sure you will cover what you want to cover.
Joyce,
Blending the two helps you to comply with your college's syllabus requirement while you are personalizing the course with your addendum. A win win for everyone.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
a well prepared syllabus helps the student and the intructor with there expectations of the course, but time management for the both on meeting those expectations weekly.
I definitely agree with your statement. I like to include the company's syllabus as well as my own. This usually includes information about the topic that can also be used as a study guide.
Nestor,
Nicely put. I hadn't thought of it that way. Thanks.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Barbara,
I can appreciate your comments about having options available for different student groups. I do the same with my classes. I meet the classes share the syllabus which covers all of the course policies and requirements. We do introductions, I give a pretest and the we do ice breakers. Once all of this is completed I then decide exactly what assignments I am going to use because I have a clear picture of my students. This allows me to customize my instruction to my current group of students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
David,
I have my students sign as sheet as well indicating that they have received and read the syllabus. This as you say reduces student frustration because they have the information and are being held accountable for having it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Misty,
So true. A well prepared clear and concise syllabus reduces student frustration and sets the tone for a positive class atmosphere.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
A well prepared syllabus is the equivalent to your business card. It presents yourself to an audience.
Although I agree that a well-prepared syllabus is important, I really dislike having every assignment predetermined. Some places I have taught, this was what was expected. It leaves no room for adjusting the course to the specific group of students, or what perhaps may be going in society or the industry at the time, etc. Specifically, however, I like to devise assignments to target certain students, hoping to get them engaged. Perhaps it is the subject matter that I usually teach, but I prefer to have 3 or 4 assignment ideas, and then adjust them for the class. Of course, this would also greatly depend upon whether or not the subject matter lends itself to several exercises.
A well-prepared syllabus eliminates gray areas regarding course goals and requirements, test dates and times, material to be covered on the tests, reading assignments, etc.
When students ask me what's covered on the next test, my reply is "I don't remember. Does anyone have a syllabus?"
I always review the syllabus in detail on the first day of the class then they sign a sheet acknowledging that they did review it with me and understand what is expected of them.
Not having a well prepared syllabus leads to mass misunderstanding and assignment confusion. The more detailed and precise a syllabus, the better for everyone.
I learned very quickly that when students have to ask about basic course information, then I didn't do a good job in preparation. I review my syllabus for every course and go over it closely so students can tell me if something is not there or not clear. A good syllabus should have all information needed so the student can refer to it for assignments, materials and what we will be talking about for the upcoming week. I also use it to remind them about their reading and research assignments.
I liken it to a roadmap for my students to get to their destination.
Beginning a new class without a well-prepared syllabus would be like going to the grocery store without your shopping list. You have an idea of what items you need, but you know you're going to forget something when all is said and done. And, unfortunately, the store personnel hasn't a clue what you're looking for. Having everything written out not only helps you to run a smooth and efficient class, but helps the students to know what to expect and what's expected of them. Definitely takes some planning and thought to put together, but the end result is well worth the effort.
