Aneisha,
Right you are because the syllabus informs the students of the course expectations, requirements and policies. As a result through the syllabus they know what it takes to be successful in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think a well prepared syllabus lays out the policies and expectations for your course. For me, I went from a community college where I wrote my own syllabi to a for-profit school tjat makes the syllabi for me. Unfortunately, I believe this approach takes away that ability to individualize the course to the instructor or students.
Jeff
A well planned and written syllabus informs the students of everything they need to know about the course. The content should include (but not limited to):
-Course Name, credit hours, class meeting times
-Room number
-Instructor(s) name
-Contact info
-Instructors office hours
-grading scale
-breakdown of what each assignment/quiz/test scores are worth
-textbook and required supplies
-attendance policy
It is important to have too much information on a course syllabus rather than too little. When something is in print, there are fewer discrepancies.
A well planned and written syllabus informs the students of everything they need to know about the course. The content should include (but not limited to):
-Course Name, credit hours, class meeting times
-Room number
-Instructor(s) name
-Contact info
-Instructors office hours
-grading scale
-breakdown of what each assignment/quiz/test scores are worth
-textbook and required supplies
-attendance policy
It is important to have too much information on a course syllabus rather than too little. When something is in print, there are fewer discrepancies.
It is important to have a well prepared syllabus because it will help students to understand not only what they can expect but also what is expected of them.
It provides detail to the student about the class. It provides important information like textbook, assignments, grading, and more. It is a very good foundation for the begining of the course.
Also, as stated in the course, it almost acts as a contract between the instructor and the student - detailing what is required of the student (and ultimately, if X is done, you will be rewarded with Y grade).
Steven,
Thank you for these comments in relation to the value of a well prepared syllabus. This document saves time and reduces student questioning because the details are spelled out in it and as a result the students can see as well as read what the expectations are.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have taught four courses thus far, and have used the syllabus extensively. It is not just a document I review with the students on the first day, but one that I continually refer to during the course to make sure I am covering the appropriate material and complying with other course requirements. It is, as noted in this course, the "contract" with the student. It also supports the Professor in the case of a grade descrepancy, as the syllabus is specific as to course requirements and grading criteria.
I believe a well prepared syllabus shows repect for the student on the part of the instructor. He or she will be made aware of the course content, the course objectives, and the assessment process. It symbolizes a contract of trust and openness between the student and the instructor.
Kurtis,
Well said and right on target. This is the value of a well prepared syllabus for both the students and the instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Not only does a well prepared syllabus give students clear expectation of the course material and goals, but it helps the instructor plan and assess if they are meeting their instructional goals. Therefore, the instuctor is able to stay on task with their lesson plans.
Having a well prepared syllabus is benenficial to the student in that it lays out the material, assignements and other expectations. A syllabus in essential to an instructor for course lesson plans, preparing for lectures, ordering supplies. If an instructor is new or seasoned without the syllabi in can be almost impossible to decide a logic beginning to the course but also finishing the course on time with the what has been set by the institution in which the intructor is employed.
Students entering the couse have payed good money to be there and it is our job to be up front with all that is expected and will be covered in the course they signed up for.
Eliazar,
Thank you for sharing this experience with us. You solve many problems with a well prepared syllabus. You had evidence you had shared and the student had signed the document saying it had been shared. End of discussion and forward with the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It helps prepare the students of what is expected throughout the course regarding assignments, behaviors, rules, regulations etc. It is very important to have a syllabus. I had a student who came to me and complained about their assignment and that they didn't know it was due a certain day. I pulled out the syllabus that they signed, and asked them "did you sign this paper?" and they said "yes" and I showed them where in the syllabus it states the due dates of the assignment. In fact, it was covered the first day of class. It helps protect you from bad situations.
Nazanin,
You have captured the essence of having a well developed syllabus with your comments. A well prepared syllabus makes our job just that much easier.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Maren,
First thank you for sharing your experience with a poorly developed syllabus and how your experience brought you to the point you have a well developed one. In answer to your question, yes, yes, yes. I over the years have written down the questions that students brought up about this item or that in the syllabus. I went in an rewrote that item and make it a part of my syllabus the next time I taught the course. Over the years my syllabi has gotten very refined and that is a result of student input.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Hieu,
Good example and one that we all can and should relate to. We have to get our support system organized and ready to go before we can enjoy the outcome such as a ball game or watching a movie.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I used to think of course syllabus as a legal document when I was in college! Every time I felt that I got the shorter end of the stick and did not get the fair treatment, I would rush back to check the course syllabbus and I have to say I was sometimes very impressed with how detailed some of them were. I had one instructor answering some "most commenly asked questions" in her syllabus and nothing was ever left up in the air. Students knew exactly what to expect as well as what was expected of them.
A clear Syllabus is necessary to avoid confusion. When I was a new instructor I learned the hard way the value of a clear Syllabus. There were many questions for students needing clarification because of my poorly designed Syllabus. Over the years I have learned that I save myself work and the students stress if my Syllabus is clear and accurate. I continue to learn from my students with regard to what information is most helpful in Syllabi. Have you found that students have assisted you in preparing your Syllabi over the years?
