SYLLABUS - THE SKELETON FOR THE COURSE
The syllabus is the skeletal framework for the course. The teaching, along with additional resources, such as multi-media, handouts, activities, and instructor experience in their field provides the "muscle and sinew." The "halo" is the charisma, knowledge and demeanor of the instructor.
Putting together the skeletal framework, muscle and halo creates a package that when delivered to the students, creates a terrific learning environment.
Hi Quanda,
Sometimes charisma is hard to measure and display but what you can exhibit is your personality of caring and support. By being friendly and letting your students know you care about their success you will be exhibiting an attitude that will carry you a long way in being a successful teaching.
Gary
How does one exhibit charisma during class meetings?
It is the basic document because it describes your plans for the course. it provides the sudents with the work that will be reqiured of them.
Hi James,
Good point. You are putting your objectives in a format that illustrates success for your students. This way they know what is required and what the outcomes will be.
Gary
When teaching practical skills, I don't care for using intransitive verbs when defining Learning Objectives in the syllabus. I much prefer using the transitive verb. For instance, instead of stating, "Upon completing this module, the student will be able to set a riser clamp", I state, "Upon completing this module, the student will successfully demonstrate setting a riser clamp". I feel Learning Objectives should establish a definitive goal, easily evaluated, by both the instructor and student.
It is truely the backbone of the class organization. When student loose track of what is going to be presented in class I refer them back to their syllabus. This way when they come to me to make up quizzes or turn in work late they can see that there are rules regarding this.
