Provide the syllabus and other information at the beginning of the course
Students are emailed and given a paper copy of the Syllabus. The syllabus is reviewed on day one and their expectations clearly outlined. Most major assignments are accompanied by a seperate grading rubric which outlines expectations for those specific assignments.
I feel it is extremely important to inform the students what you will expect from them by informing them how you propose to spend class time, how to study for your course, how they will be graded for their performance in your class, and how their success in your class will lead to a rewarding career.
Courtney,
This is a good format for sharing to occur and helps to get everyone on the same page right from the beginning of a new class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to allow a bit of time at the end of my first class to get feedback from the students on my expectations of them. We talk about my expectations as well as their expectations of me.
Martin,
I do to. You are coming from the field and helping your students to prepare to enter the field. The more you can connect their thinking to expectations of that field the easier their transition will be full time employment.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Teaching in a career oriented school, I believe it is important to demonstrate to students how the intrustor's expectations for the course relates to what their employers are likely to expect and the consequences of not meeting those expectations.
Martin,
Helping them to see what your course has to offer in relation to their career goals is very important. You are helping the students to see the ROI that will result from their passing your course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In addition to this I explain how my expectations relate to what they can expect in the real world, upon graduation. For example, the need to meet deadlnes, the importance of proof reading before submitting written reports, etc.
John,
Right you are. By helping your students see what your expectations are and how you will help them achieve those expectations sets the tone for the class. From there on it is a building process for the students and their success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Techniques I use to make sure that students understand what I expect of them are, setting reasonable expectations and making them aware of these in the context of industry standards. Also reinforcing my own appreciation of the learning process and expectation of success will ensure students understand what is expected of them.
Faith,
Thank you for this excellent review of why a well prepared syllabus is so important and how the syllabus can be used to establish in the minds of students where the course is going and how they will know when they end up with the needed knowledge and competencies. This is what our teaching should be about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This may sound odd but when I was in the classroom and even times now when I have to cover a class for an instructor; after reviewing the syllabus for the first time with my students and checking body language/facial expressions to make sure every one understands course expectations. I have the students turn their syllabus over and I do a "mini Quizbowl" on the syllabus content. After which I re-iterate that if they can recall and summarize objectives and course requirements in their own words without looking at the printed page; how much more effective they will be when they have the syllabus as a guide while studying or completing papers/projects, etc when I'm not there. I always like to start off a class with a bit of positive motivation but at the same time showing them that thinking and deductive reasoning is a major part of this course. And reaching higher levels of their own personal intellect is a requirement of the course, regardless of the subject matter. It is always important to me to make sure students feel as if they have grown as an individual while attending any course at our institution.
Jeff,
Thank you for sharing this strategy with us. I think it is a graphic way to show students the course requirements and when certain course events, such as exams are going to occur. This should reduce their saying they didn't know when something was due or that they were having a quiz.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yolanda,
So important to keep students engaged throughout the course. Knowing how they are being evaluated is so important. I always use a grading rubric so I can point specially to where they earned points and where they need to improve.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kareneen,
Good pattern of repetition and reinforcement. This way the students can learn the information as well as develop the skills through the scaffolding process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Utilizing the syllabus to include expectations of objectives, goals, and grading criteria. Handing it out and going over it, then having the student sign it. Allowing time for questions and answers.
I hand out a blank calander page for the first month and our first assignment is to place all of my course expectations (test, quizzes, Homework, etc) and then we plan backwards from the assignment and schedule the appropriate time needed to complete/prepare for the event.
Clear understanding on how their work in class and exams are graded for better average grade.
I do several things: The first is that I tell them. Second, I correct behavior that is inconsistent with expectations. Third, I model appropriate behavior and share examples of my successes and failures so that they may learn from me.
