Syllabus as a tool
One common mistake is instructors who do not share their classroom expectations at the beginning of the course. Often the syllabus contains all the course assignment information but very few classroom expectations. Additionally, if the expectations are in the syllabus, they need to be shared during the first class, just like you would share the information on the assignments. The expectations also need to be flexible to meet the needs of the instructor as he or she teaches AND the students as they learn. It is generally not a one way highway.
They syllabus gives the instructor and the student clarity about what is ahead. Just as when reading a book, when you read the Table of Contents first, it prepares your mind to receive that information. This is the same.
This semester I am requesting the Word copy of the syllabus in order that I can project it on the screen and we can go over it section by section as a class. That should work well.
Also of great importance are whole-brained exercises so that instructor and student are receiving and participating in the information with both sides of their brains.
If an instructor is scrambled, the students receive scrambled information. Sometimes there is an energetic disconnect when a student looks up at the board then down to their paper. Whole-brained exercises clear that simply and quickly.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Rhina,
The syllabus is worth going over THOROUGHLY! It really is very informative.
Patricia Scales
I couldn't agree more with you
When I first started teaching, i didn't took the time on that, and now that I do, it makes such a difference in each students response.
