
Hi Richard,
Different, but I can see the advantages of this practice.
Patricia Scales
Hi Mr. Lewis,
The board serves as a great visual to get students to SEE exactly what it is you are talking about.
Patricia Scales
Hi Regina,
Great idea of sharing in the syllabus exactly what is needed in order to do well in the class.
Patricia Scales
Hi Lisa,
You must be very clear and have no gray area when you are expressing things to your students.
Patricia Scales
I give a syllabus to the students one week before class meets. This is done at orientation day and gives the student time to digest the contents. At the first lecture ,we go over syllabus and discuss any questions concerning it.
Along with the course syllabus, I use the course calendar. They see which topics we cover this course, why those topics are relevant and how they will be tested to measure competency.
One of the things that I use to make my course requirements clear for students is a student syllabus. I do try my best to make the expectations clear. I do have a break down of percentages that correlate to each assignment or each category. For example, my tests are 25% and my lab practicals are 30% of their grade so they know this is what they will need to work on. I have just recently implented a portion in my syllabus that outlines what it takes for them to succeed in this class.
Hi Dianna,
I like the idea of securing a signature. Students take it more seriously whenver you get them to sign documentation.
Patricia Scales
I go over the syllabus at the beginning of each course. In addition to the syllabus I have my students look over, and sign any important policies such as the make-up policy so there is no confusion in the future about turning in assignments or missing tests.
Hi Daniel,
You are right! When you lay the ground rules on Day 1 and stick to them, things are a lot less chaotic.
Patricia Scales
Hi Scott,
Very thorough, your students can not say they did not know. You do not leave any stone unturn.
Patricia Scales
My first assignment is to ask the students to print a copy of the syllabus and bring it to the first class where we read it and I explain each part, providing clarification along the way. This serves to establish the rules of the course, the expectations, and the guidelines for assessment, especially. Leon Guendoo
During my introduction of the course I hand out the required course material (syll, etc) bu tI also hand out separate materials highlighting specific requirements for each unit. This includes the grading scale/percentages, consequences of late assignments/missing exams, and the expected behaviors ffrom the students. Leaves no doubt as to how the class is managed. Students appear to like having all the informaation up-front and I think it alleviates any confusion from an administrative point.
To make the course requirements as clear as possible I take several measures that include: covering the syllabus in detail on day 1, allowing ample time for questions after covering the course requirements, developing detailed handouts for each assignment, posting all course materials on the student portal, and offering reminders of the course requirements as deadlines approach.
Hi Harry,
Absolutely! The first day is the day to make sure everything is clear to the students.
Patricia Scales
Hi Angela,
The board is a great visual. Students seem to have a better understanding when they can actually see it.
Patricia Scales
Hi Charles,
I love guided notes and have found out that students do too. Students seem to be more attentive when they have something to guide them.
Patricia Scales