Objectives on a syllabus
I know one instructor who goes over all of the objectives with the students at the beginning and end of the class to ensure that students "get their money's worth." I liked this idea of engaging the students in their own learning and encouraging them to hold us as instructors accountable.
Hi Sharon,
I also like to emphasize a particular objective once I am ready to cover it. It really sticks with students.
Patricia
I like the idea of going over the objectives at the beginning and end of the class. It not only makes it real for the students but helps me as a teacher to stay focused on the end goal as well.
The syllabus provides an important tool that serves the need of informing the students of the expectations of the course and the syllabus provides written directions and guidelines (Bench Marks).
I do the same. Too often I hear of fellow instructors who pass out the syllabi and do a quick read through. Not me. I do a thorough read through of the syllabus and I encourage students to ask questions as we go along. The objectives of the syllabus contain the "goals" of the class and everyone likes to have a goal to shoot for. I teach court reporting and, when I read through the class objectives, the students are a bit unsure of what they are getting into. They are confused at first. Then the class begins and we get through the first week, then the second week. As we go along I point out the things we are doing in class and how they match up with the class objectives contained in the syllabus. Then the confusion vanishes and smiles begin to appear on their faces and they become more and more excited with what they are doing. They begin to realize that we are laying the foundation in order for them to advance through the court reporting program.
