Students need to hear the course requirements directly and precisely from their instructor. Many students take their guidance from other students but may find out that their course has been revised. The instructor should be the first contact that students have if they have any concerns or questions about course requirements and not listen to student discussion about assignments and projects.
Review the Course Syllabus and Schedule at the very beginning to assure buy-in from all students.
All course requirements are stated in the syllabus. At the same time all activities including quiz, exams, reports, activities and all relevant documentation and reference materials are uploaded to the student portal. On the first day of each new class I hand out a "due date" calendar and review it with the class. Examples for activities and reports are reviewed during class and uploaded to the student. Everyday I update the white board for the next 7 class days out (we meet 5 days a week), on the upcoming requirements.
Thanks and have a good day
Hi David,
Stories are definitley an attention getter. Students love to hear about stories. Examples make the course seem so much more pratical.
Patricia
Besides the wriiten language of the coarse,I am fortunate to be teaching pastry in a culinary program where great examples of story telling can give insight, humor as well as culinary kitchen disasters .Students are engaged to the examples of requirements in language and examples of success and non success.
Hi Gail,
I like this attitude! I can tell you are a great support system for your students. We must strive to prepare our students for success.
Patricia
We use a class syllabus, well defined and explained in class out loud. The students can make their own notes as needed. There is truly no doubt as to what is required and expected. Time is always allowed for questions and for the occassional, "But that's too hard...." comment. We want our students to suceed. We don't enable them but we certainly support them and strive to make learning exciting.
I am just beginning my teaching experience, but thus far it is most obvious in our environment to establish at the first class the course requirements, no surprises, and clearly define time schedules for work and projects. Any group of learners need to be supported by a clearly structured program. We also give reminders frequently during the module. Isn't our goal as educators and instructors to have a students succeed! This is an awesome responsibility we have been given.
Hi John,
Students are in training, and they really do need constant supervision. You can mimimize supervision as the grading period progresses, but it is our job to supervise. Some students work well with minimal supervision. We quickly learn who needs us more and who needs us less.
Patricia
I explain to my student how important it is for them to be on time with any homework because will be the only way to rich a satisfactory grade in school.
Methods used are demo'o, instruction's, grading scale and values of each product production and written assignment. The syllibus is great information but may not be clear to some students so a clear explanation is always necessary. Expectations are demo'ed along the way for students to understand and use. Constant supervision during production is also used to reinforce expectation's and help to obtain quality product's through hands on. Students learn differently so it is important to know how each student learns so that proper assistance can be given.
I agree in dicussing the syllabus and the requirements to be successful in the class. Also, its important to review the expectations again as you pass out the assisgnment and to remind students of the deadline of the assignment.
Hi Carmen,
Students must know and need to know what is required of them on Day 1. Rules, policies, procedures, etc. should be fully explained on Day 1 as well.
Patricia
its important that students have the requirements of a class clear becuase they could be prepared with the expectations
The syllabus is the basis for all course requirements in my class. However, I usually hand out or post a rubric for each type of assignment in the class (paper, presentation, group project) so that the students know exactly what is required for each assignment. Each class a few minutes are devoted to reviewing the assignments that are coming due and the requirements of those assignments.
Hi Barbara,
Great idea of a question/answer session after the syllabus has been introduced. Clarity is very important. We want our students to fully understand.
Patricia
Hi Horace,
The syllabus is definitely a good resource. I refer to my syllabus numerous times throughtout a grading period. Students need to know that the information has been given to them and shared with them; and it is at their disposal to reference.
Patricia
I review the Course Syllabus with the students on the first day which includes the course requirements. I allow time for questions so that we can clarify any concerns.
If any concerns come up later during the course, we can always refer back to the Syllabus.
Thank you,
Horace
I concur-the import of the syllabus is strategic by outlining what is expected by students. Clear and concise. Having a "question & answer" period after the syllabus is introduced may help with any concerns the students may have.
