On the first day of class we review in detail the syllabus which also includes guidelines for planning adequate study time, course evaluation guidelines and what the student can expect to learn from the course. I also have a supplement to the syllabus which outlines attendance requirements, make-up policies and term project requirements. I also have the students sign a form of acknowledgement that they have received both the syllabus and the supplement and retain those in the course files.
On the first day of every class I hand out a course syllabi and my class expectations and policies, whether I have taught the students in that cohort or not. Included in that is a course calendar as will with all due dates and expected assignments, quizzes and tests. I make sure that my students know exactly what to expect for the next 5 weeks that they have me as their instructor.
I practice making clear and measurable expectations for my students. I always educate and then educate again and then verify that they understand and have no questions.
Alisa,
Students want and need to know the expectations of the course so they can establish in their minds what their success potential is. Once these questions are answered then they can start to focus on the course content. Good point about how you share this information with them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have found that students respond well to a syllabus when beginning the first day of class. I encourage them to think of questions while I go over it, so that after each section, they have questions to ask. I've noticed that the questions most asked by students include what the tests are like, and where key points of the texts and lectures are/can be found.
A majority of my student are visual learners so I use a lot of visual aids in my lessons writing notes on the board using the projector for illustrations mainly because most of them are very easily distracted
I place my expectations clearly in my syllabus and I also give my students an acknowledgement of terms to sign stating that they understand what is going to happen in the class and they agree to the terms and conditions of the class.
by going over the obsjectives for each class
George,
I think this is a great way to show the students what the course expectations are and how you are going to take them through the course. This way they can concentrate on meeting the deadlines and doing the work rather than spending time wondering what they are suppose to do.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I hand out the course syllabus which includes how grades will be calculated and I have made a sharepoint page that has all my class sessions on it., plus my sharepoint page has all links, handouts, and announcements for the semester.
Marcus,
Good way to show that your students will have support from the very beginning of the course via electronic access. This I am sure helps them feel that they can settle into the course because you will be there to answer their questions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The first day of class we go over in detail the expectations and forms are signs to agreements.
I agree I teach part-time, on the first day of class I give out my email address and Cell phone number to set up time with students in the event if there are any issues with the course.
The fact that some grades will require hands-on vs. written.
I agree with you Janet. I also post power points and assignments a few days early so students know what to expect and to give them a few days to become familiar with the material prior to lecture. Once we complete the lecture we go over questions they may have.
There are a number of ways to make sure your students understand your expectations. Giving quizzes and team working activities are common tactics whilst repetition is also important. It is also useful for instructors to engage students by setting them tasks - such as designing their own sets of expectations - which can reinforce their learning and make the learning more personalized.
Kim,
This is a good way to personalize the syllabus and show your students the importance you attach to the contents. This way they will be more apt to follow the contents of the syllabus than ask you over and over again what comes next.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In addition to handing out the schools standard syllabus, which lays out the course, I also hand out a syllabus that I have composed. My syllabus is the "meat" if you will, of what the schools standard syllabus is comprised of. I like to think in my syllabus I have taken what may not be as clear in the schools syllabus and made it crystal clear as to what is expected in the course. I also go over them both in class. Once the review is completed I always afford my students the opportunity to ask if there are any questions are concerns.
On the first day of class, each student receives a course syllabus which is then explained, along with any other expectations and rules for the class. This is then followed by clarification of any doubts or questions students might have, to make certain that all expectations are absolutely clear. Each student then has to sign a checklist acknowledging that he/she is aware of those expections that were discussed.
I have learn early on that as long as I go over the syllabus and what I expect of my students. They seem to follow my lesson plan much better. the technique is to inform them and stick to the plan.
