Hi Jo,
Students love having a guide. A rubric allows students to pregrade their own work.
Patricia
I provide details of the requirements in the syllabus along with detailed grading rubrics.
Sara Donevant
I give them all handouts of projects and papers due with timelines, then review them
I like to review and highlight the expectations from the syllabus on day 1 of the course and then share the rubrics for each assignment well before they are due so they can have a guide to work with.
That sounds like a really good idea I may have to give that a try.
To make course requirement clear I specifically highlight on the syllabus what is expected and the due date as well as any rubrics that are needed or used. Before the end of class I review what is expected for the next one to two classes, so everyone has an idea when the rough draft is due and when the project is due. This is especially important when class is only held once per week, because the students need to come prepared. Also when material is presented, the material is shown how it is related to the course objectives.
Patricia - I also utilize Engrade to send out mass e-mail reminders.
I give the syllabus out to the students first day, and go back to it every time that the students have a question about late work, or quizzes missed. If, of course, they have a ligitament excuse for their absence, then I work with that student to get them back on track with the class. I have an agenda on the board every morning/evening with on what is going to be taught for the day, and specifically teach what is onthe agenda-following the syllabus given. I also have Motivational/Inspirational Quotes for each class, so the students feel that they can accomplish what they are trying to achieve, even if they are having a "bad day".
Hi Karen,
I make great use of my board for due dates and reminders. I also like to call on students randomly to see if they know the assignments that are due before I write them down.
Patricia
I do this as well. Additionally, I post an agenda each class which includes tasks for that class session as well as any homework and upcoming due dates.
Hi Earl,
I like the idea of showing a variety of examples, good and bad, therefore students have a full understanding as to what is expected of them.
Patricia
Hi Roy,
I have found that students who make poor decisions in the classroom also make poor decisions in the workplace. Our students need to learn how to make mature, rational decisions.
Patricia
I use a mix of showing past student work and professional work. By seeing the professional work the students see the benefit of learning the skills. The past student work will be more relevant to each specific assignment and I show both good and not so good examples and explain what I'm looking for.
I feel that a well planned syllabus is the best way to make requirements clear.
As an Environmental Science Instructor at the Academy of Court Reporting and Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, on my first day of class I asked each student to assess their learning style from four provided based on a Myers-Briggs personality test. The highest category for the class as a whole was for the "Brown's", who want to know what will be expected. Based on that response, I can see how important a syllabus can be, especially on the important sections (i.e, how will I be graded, revelance to them).
Hello Tony,
I agree with you. Make the requirements clear. Give written and verbal reminders as appropriate, and then at some point the students must step up and take responsibility for their own actions. It is much better they learn that lesson now in the safety of education and the classroom. The same poor decision in the workplace can be much more costly and disastrous.
I take the first day class to establish a good rapport with the new class. I pass out a syllabus and a calendar I have created. I have noted all course deadlines on it in addition to reading assignments, case studies, etc. This makes it easy for the class to see the deadlines as they arrive on the calandar and helps to avoid "surprises". I explain that I have used a planner similar to the calendar that I have provided. It keeps me on track and keeps me from getting surprised as long as I keep it current and remember to reference it. I don't know how to make course requirements any easier or any clearer. I use my copy of the calender to give verbal reminders in class. If a student is absent, they can refer to the calendar and stay pretty well informed of any assignments due.
I find that when we review the syllabus on the first day of class, it sets the tone for the entire course. The students know what to expect from me, and I make it clear what I expect from them. This first class clarifies any apprehension regarding what the student needs to do to earn an "A".
If requirements are not clear the student will not know what is expected of them.
Hi Kerry,
I understand! I am an effective communicator as well. I need to make sure that my students fully understand what is required/expected of them. I do not like to leave any stone unturned.
Patricia
