Importance of a Syllabus
The course syllabus is an important part of understanding what will be expected of them and when things are expected to be completed. By following the syllabus and not deviating greatly from it, you will have a class that feels comfortable and they won't have to worry about things being thrown at them at the last minute.
We had a situation at our school where the same class was taught in the day and also at night, but by two different instructors. It was expected that each instructor follow the syllabus and not deviate from it, however one instructor started creating a completely different time schedule that did not follow the syllabus. After a time the students became very frustrated because they couldn't plan for the future and they had only a short period of time to know when things would be due.
The instructor would say that something was due on a certain day, but it was listed on the syllabus that it was due either before that time or after. The students were getting anxious and frustrated with no plan for their learning.
By the end of the course some of the material on the syllabus was never covered because the instructor didn't follow the syllabus or plan for the deviations from the syllabus that she created. During a department meeting it was decided that all instructors would follow the syllabus as printed and no major deviations would be allowed. We now have no problems with getting the entire material covered and the students are not frustrated as they once were.
Going over this material is imperative at the beginning of the course. We have the student sign a sheet saying they have read, understood and will comply with the syllabus and course materials presented. Does anyone do anything differently or add anything else? I am always interested in finding new methods of what is sometimes considered boring material to the students.
That is what I do too. I teach online and I as the students to respond to me with a statement of understanding. They realize that this is something they should take seriously and read.
Becky
Hi Jill,
You are right about your last statement. I know many of us have been faced with working with instructors that are just "mailing it in" in terms of their effort. "Just give me a paycheck and I will float through." Don't know how they can live with themselves in taking this approach.
Gary
Hi Roberta,
Thanks for sharing a very good example of why consistency has to be a part of teaching. When you have two instructors taking different paths within the same course area you will have issues. Sounds like your college worked it out and everyone is on the same page. Teaching is hard enough without having to deal with issues like those mentioned.
We use the signature sheet for students as well. Sure reduces the complaints that "I didn't get a syllabus, I didn't understand, etc.
Gary
I am glad to hear that you were successful in your problem solving.
The addition of department education/training or a group discussion about why and how the requirments were developed could also be helpful. If the instructor was unaware of the reason for the instruction then it would almost be reasonable for them to not teach it. However to just be lazy is no reason.
