Beyond supplying a syllabus, I also give them a calendar explaining what is due and when its due. I also explain weeks ahead of time how to do the project. It helps me to prepare them better for the future and keep them task oriented
Hi Bonnie,
Students need to fully understand exactly what is expected of them. Our students need clarity so that they will do well.
Patricia Scales
As I deal with a short time, fast paced class; on the first day I make sure they understand what is needed and excepted of each student.
I completely agree...students have a tendency to be in less doubt when they have a clear formatted plan ahead of them.
Hi Jennifer,
You do a fine job of ensuring clarity with requirements. Students like knowing exactly what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
On the first day of class I not only go over the syllabus with them but I also discuss their assignments and due dates as well as test dates whic I have given to them in both calendar and outline format. This way there are no misunderstandings and the students know what to expect.
Hi Lee,
Students like hearing about "what the will be able to..." Students need to know how they are going to benefit, and things need to be made clear to students so that they fully understand what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
I come from a training background, so I spend time going over the "At the end of the class, the student will be able to..." items. I tell them that is what they will be measured against.
Hi Mindy,
It takes on a whole different level of seriousness when you require a signature from your students. Students understand the importance of the syllabus due to them having to sign to attest that they read and understand it.
Patricia Scales
I start by going over the syllabus, making the objectives clear and repeating most of the information in the syllabus. Once this is complete I asked the students to sign a copy of the Syllabus and asked them questions to ensure they objective of the class is clear.
Hi William,
You do a fantastic job of ensuring your students know exactly what is required of them. Student like knowing clear requirements.
Patricia Scales
Hi Shane,
Rubrics are awesome! Students get to pregrade themselves when rubrics are shared with the students.
Patricia Scales
Hi Richard,
Great ways to ensure course requirements are made clear. Students need to know on Day 1 exactly what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
We 3 fundamental methods for making sure the requirements are clear.
1. Visual- SOP's are laid out on a PowerPoint presentation
2. Written - The same SOP's are laid out in a handout given to the Student that reflect the PowerPoint.
3. Verbal - I read and explain each requirement to them.
I also like to try to take it another step further. I try to get their buy in on the requirements. I ask them leading questions to see if they understand not only requirements, but why it is so. Then I ask the big final one, of "Is this Fair? Am I/the School asking anything unreasonable of they the student?"
Usually I get good responses.
Give a thorough review of the course syllabus the first day of class with any and all assignment rubrics provided.
On the first day I go over the SOP's for the course and then I spend a lot of time going over the syllabus for the class making sure everybody understands what's expected of them. I also show them examples of other students work so they have a complete understanding of what their requirements are.
Reinforce the requirements both written and verbally, and reinforce deadlines so students have a clear understanding of the deadline and the penalties for any late work.
Hi Paul,
It is good to know that you go through the syllabus with your students. It is sad, but even college students don't read.
Patricia Scales
Hi Paul
I think this is a great idea to ask if the students have any questions. I think that if the students do have questions you should keep a diary of the questions and use this as a good reminder when you want to prepare future syllabus for next years classes
it is important to let the students know what their assignment is and to make sure the students are aware of when the assignments are due and in what format the assignment should be completed.
