Syllabus
I have taught in colleges where I wrote my on respective class syllabus and in those colleges where I must follow one the colleges provides. Currently, where I teach, the college provides the syllabus I must follow. I find it difficult to stay on task, so, at the beginning of each course, I add a supplement explaining what will be in concluded and exculded for the original. Question? Is there a better way?
Amer,
Way to share your expectations and how the course is going to operate. This gets everyone on the same page from day one and then they can focus on meeting the outlined expectations and be successful in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Syllabus to me is a legal contract one part of the syllabus controlled by the school it has the
Break down of the class hours Math 20 hours, Blueprint Reading 25 hours, Shop theory 20 hours Lab work 80 hours including the use of computer to wright program, Outside class hours 36 hours which includes homework.
Chapters for the mathematics are 8 chapters.
Blueprint reading are 2 unites in which instructors are allowed to select 11 Blue Print up to 14 from these 2 unites.
Shop theory is 5 mandatory chapters and one optional.
The grading system is part of the syllabus (A 90% - 100% ) (B 80% - 89) (C70% - 79%) (D 60% – 69%) to move from a module to the next student must have minimum of 70% which is a C and 80% attendance
Grading (60% Lab project) (25% for each weekly test) (5% math homework) (5% Blueprint) (5% shop theory).
I include in my syllabus the home work for every week including addendum for a study guide for every week as well as an addendum for the homework assignment for every week.
I go over the Syllabus first day of the class with my student and answer all of their questions. I include a quiz in regard to the grading system and attendance requirements as well as how the home work is assigned. No surprises and no curve on grading. school observed Holidays are included in the syllabus. My phone number and school phone numbers and my office hours.
Marina,
This is a bit of a challenge for the reasons you list. By reviewing the syllabus the lecture instructor follows you can get an idea of what that person is covering and then reinforce that content. Where you think there needs to be additional information shared you can do that in the lab setting as you ask your students to complete their assignments. This will result in a better coordinated approach to the total instructional package.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am starting out as a lab instructor. I like that there is an outline to help me with directing the lab classes in a specified direction, however it hinders me at the same time. The instructor that writes the syllabus will not actually be teaching the lab portion, but will be doing the lecture portion correlated with the lab. It's hard when you didn't have any say in any part of the lab, however you are expected to teach it properly. It's a good outline/guide for me since I'm starting out, however it s strange thing to be teaching/running a lab class without much say in the content.
Frantz,
Not really. The point of having them sign the document is that they have received and read the syllabus and this holds the student accountable for having this information. To make changes in the syllabus in not a problem because a handout can be given with the changes and the students can add it to the syllabus and their signature is still good for having received the information.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I found it interesting to learn that some schools require students to sign the syllabus. I wonder if this "contract" makes it harder for instructors to tweak the syllabus once it has been signed.
Christie,
It is the document that informs everyone of the class polices, requirements and projects. The syllabus gets everyone on the same page from day one and answers many of the questions students have about how the class is going to operate.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A syllabus is a good structure for both student and instructor-it becomes the outline for both sides of the equation (student and teacher) to depend upon as well as benefit by.
David,
Right you are. What are some ways you work with them to hold them accountable for what is in the course syllabus.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The students must know and be accountable for the information in the class by the course syllabus.
Billy,
I think this is the way to personalize the course to your instructional style. This is what I do with our standardized syllabus. The supplement is my twist on how the course is going to operate and how I will be directing the progress the students will be making toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
