Hi Chris,
Good point. The communication process really helps to create a connection between you and your students. With clear communication from the beginning of the class the students will see how they can be successful in the course if they are willing to put forth the effort.
Gary
It's impossible to expect anyone to do their best when they don't have all the important information. I feel that communication is something of a lost art in this day and age. Things are so impersonal. Taking the time to give a comprehensive and clear description of the course requirements presents you with an opportunity to communicate directly with your students. You can give them all the details, and be able to respond to their questions or confusion. It's an opportunity for YOU to show them your exact expectations, and to show them how interested you are in their education, while helping the STUDENT feel more comfortable with the class ahead.
We need to be clear with the students and with this we start covering their expectations.
Hi Brandi,
This is so important so you can get the course off to a good start. The students know what the policies, expectations and requirements are from the beginning. There are not surprises so they can concentrate on the course content and assignments.
Gary
Giving a clear understanding of the course requirements will help to not only dissolve any confusion from the students, but also help the instructor to have an organized teaching atmosphere. It will also indicate to the students that you are clear in what is required of them and they don't have the opportunity to try to take advantage of you if they notice you don't have anything well planned out and put together.
A clear syllabus is only part of a clear description of the course requirements. Setting my expectations for the students during the course as well as the outside resources to help them be successful is part of my first class. I also listen to my student's expectations of the course. This helps me identify the adult students with life experiences that may be an asset to the class.
A critical review of one's performance in the classroom is essential to personal and professional growth. It is very easy to omit important details during a presentation and that is why the note card or brief written outline continues to be a mainstay for the instructor to have on hand and to review immediately afterwards.
Joe
I would add that Clear Course Requirements also assist the instructor in staying on task and not wavering too much from the course objectives.
Adult students want to know exactly what is required of them. Many have not been in school for a very long time, and have little patience for time wasting activities and not knowing what is expected. My online students appreciate clear goals and objectives so they can know their path through the class, what is expected each day and why.
This is important because it will give the students a sense of what is going to be expected of them so they can prepare properly and meet the goals of the class.
Sharing comprehensive and clear course requirements enables students to mentally prepare for learning. Prior expectations are either realized or imagined fears are set aside. Students essentially can reset themselves to the actual lesson plan and proceed with learning.
This makes the students more comfortable by letting them know what to expect from the course and what is expected from them. This also helps them know how to prepare for activities and assignments.
This allows the student to know what is expected of them during the course. It will put the student in the right mind-set and will put them at ease.
It helps the student understand the what the course is about and know what is expected of them to do well in the course.
Hi Antoinette,
I can appreciate where you are coming from in working with a standardized syllabus. I teach a state required course for certification so I know some of the challenges you are facing. Sounds like you have a very realistic approach to making this situation work for your students.
Gary
Providing comprehensive and clear description of the course requirements help students understand what to expect from the course.
For example, in my Computerized Accounting class I cover the course expectations for the class thoroughly. My instructor guide is pre-developed and most times does not reflect the actual learning objectives of the class. In this particular class, I tell students upfront that the syllabus does not provide a hands-on focus using the computerized accounting system outlined in the course. The reactions I get are very mixed because the course requirements outline is different from the task assignments and deliverables.
This is frustrating at times, however, I have managed to incorporate modifications to the course to align it with the stated course requirements.
Students intuitively perform better when they know what is expected of them. Setting forth incomplete and ambiguous course requirements leaves student with questions about the course, and naturally, with questions about how they will "attack" the course in order to succeed.
Hi June,
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. This is great advice for new instructors. The information needs to be clear and concise in order to reduce student frustration and repeated questions about "What to you want me to do in this course?".
Gary
It is important to communicate to students what they should expect from the course as well as the tools and skills they will acquire which will enable them to succeed in their competencies and careers.
I am the same about calls, but most students will notify me if they need to get a call (expecting wife, etc.). I do let the students use the bathroom or get a quick drink as long as they are quiet and respectful.
