The syllabus gives an outline of your course to the students. It is important because it will give them a clear understanding on what exactly they should expect to learn throughout the course.
A well prepared syllabus is the foundation of my
class as far as an organizational tool. I go over the syllabus on day one and advise my students of it's importance. Students have confidence in a class and the instructor when
the class is structured and as I said before, the syllabus is the foundation.
With clear, defined expectations, the students know what to expect. There should be no surprises. I tell my students that it is my job to help them succeed, not set them up to fail.
Diane,
Do you develop your own syllabus or does your college supply you one?
Gary
This is a great guideline for the Instuctosr and students. Keep both to be structured.
It is very important for me because in here the class will be aware that as an instructor, you're prepared and planned what will be the outcome for that specific day!
But what if the student feels that what you planned for the day is still not enough? It seems that they're still looking for some things! But if you asked them what are their concern, they won't tell you!
I asked some other instructors what are their practice during clinical rotation and I'm getting some feedback and apply it in my clinical rotation! But what if you have one student that it seems like they're not satisfied with what they're learning from the instructor!
What I did is that I have some researched about this student! I found out that this student is very advanced like she only choose to do the program because it is a requirement for her so it is an easy subject like a grade school lecture!
It is important to have a well-prepared syllabus because it is a tool not only for the teacher, but for the students as well. For teachers, the syllabus is a way to describe to the students your plan for the course and the information that you will cover. At times, when teachers have too many classes they are teaching, the syllabus serves as a way to focus on that specific class, so that there is no confusion on what the teacher should be teaching to each class. The syllabus is also a good way to keep the teacher on track as far as if they should be on chapter 10 and are only on 5. For students, the syllabus is a way to immediately know what to expect out of the course as far as the content and work that will be required. On the first day of class when the syllabus is handed out, the students knows what is ahead for the course. They are also shown that the teacher is organized and ready for the course, which can relax and make the student more comfortable from the beginning. For both, if the syllabus is not well-prepared, it can lead to confusion on the part of the teacher and the student, which in turn causes a chaotic learning environment and that ultimately will not have a "happy ending". Therefore, it is EXTREMELY important to have a well-prepared syllabus, not only for the students, but for yourself as the teacher.
Hi Joe,
This is a good strategy to follow to overcome the challenges you have outlined in your comments. The syllabus needs to be tied directly into the course and yet many school chains use generic ones. By creating the course prospectus you are making sure your information is current and accurate.
Gary
A well-prepared syllabus is one that was done by a committee of instructors teaching a particular course. Oftentimes, we get a syllabus that was prepared by someone who has not taught the course before. If this happens (and it frequently does, because it is handed to you and you had no input in it), consult other instructors what they have done and inform your department chairperson that you are willing to serve as one of the consultants for rewriting the syllabus.
Aside from class policies, assignments (seatwork, homework), lab reports, exams, projects, and their deadlines, and other course requirements, the syllabus should include an overview of the course, goals, objectives, textbook and other instructional materials,and most importantly, the topics to be covered each week or day. To refine the syllabus, we usually prepare a prospectus for each course which has the schedule of all the lectures and lab work that have been planned for the whole quarter or semester.
Thanks. Joe Rosales
Valerie,
Good comments about the value to be derived from a well prepared syllabus. A good syllabus reduces so much student frustration and answers so many questions. This gives more time to address course content and student learning.
Gary
Having a well prepared syllabus for your course helps not just the student, but yourself as well. Especially, if you are the type of person to lose track of your direction, it will keep you in line and on track with what needs to be presented and the order for which it should be presented. It is a tremendous aid in allowing you to look professional and orderly for your students. They look to you for most of the direction, answers, and guidance. They expect us to be on our game and be ready for anything.
A well-prepared syllabus indicates that you take teaching seriously and presents a positive image to your students, your department, and your supervisor. Having a well-developed course syllabus requires the instructor to organize early and think precisely about teaching. It will help students know what is expected from them from the start of the course, and the syllabus will allow them to plan their semester efficiently.
Having a well-prepared syllabus eliminates confusion for students. Not a lot of information can be retained by some, so having a syllabus that they can always refer to later on helps a lot.
A well-prepared syllabus helps in so many ways but for me it gives me confidence and reminds me exactly of what I'm doing - the other big benefit is if someone has to sub for me I can be specific in what they are to cover/do and it will not be a "wasted" class that I have to reteach.
Michael,
Good points about keeping a consistent message going from you to them. They see it, hear it and have it in their hands. There will continue to be questions but they are easier to answer because of the syllabus they have.
Gary
A well prepared syllabus helps to prevent many problems and questions. A syllabus covers all the areas so we can get down to the business at hand and questions do not have to be repeatedly answered, but referred to the syllabus so students may be treated evenly and in a fair manner. Really cuts down on the I did not hear that, or you did not tell me, especially when the student is required to sign they recieved and understood the syllabus.
It keeps Instructors accountable to what needs to be covered, if there is an ill-prepared syllabus, the Instructors are not able to teach the class as intended.
A well prepared syllabus is vital to the overall understanding of a class. The objectives are set for students and instructors, and the expectations are clearly documented.
Absolutely!!!! Students need Exact Planning for their course & by following the syllabus they get all the requirements for that course
Using a Well-prepared Syllabus is important because:
1. A clear view of the learning objectives
2. Defined the course expectations
3. Provides the students with the necessary materials
