Tena Crews

Dara,

Good analysis of the dynamic syllabus. Flexibility can be a good thing. Thanks for your input.

Dara Harper

A dynamic syllabus is a helpful tool in the online classroom environment. It helps students to understand what the goals and objectives are for the course and enables some flexibility to improve the class.

Matt Powell

I understand the dynamic syllabus as one that evolves but doesn't necessarily change constantly. Most often, I would think that this would happen between courses instead of during a course. Most of us probably do this anyway, as we find information that would have been helpful for the students.

Jason Dominguez

I, too, understand the concern. Our institution has moved away from the dynamic syllabus for exactly the same reason. We found that resistance from students came the moment the syllabus has changed. We use the syllabus as a sort of contract between the school and the student, but I am very pro-dynamic syllabus. Change is essential and I will be mentioning this in our next ops meeting.

William Sims

We have another saying here that's not as funny but deathly accurate. "Change is good, but hurts like hell."

Tena Crews

William,

Ha! Love the saying. I'll have to use that one. Thanks!

William Sims

I agree with you that "The only thing constant in life is change, ;-J" We have a motto here that goes like this: "Change is good! You go first."

Tena Crews

William,

I understand your concern. However, the syllabus does not change all the time. There may be no changes or maybe one or two a semester and the changes are many times suggested by the students through formative assessments throughout the semester. It is really a suggestion just to be open to changes if they benefit the whole and know that things change. The only thing constant in life is change, ;-J

William Sims

Although I agree that a dynamic syllabus has great value, I also have issues with it. My biggest concern is the student who is resistant to change. This student understands the syllabus in the beginning and complains when it’s changed. The student can become quite agitated when the syllabus changes and requires a resubmission or redo of a project.

Tena Crews

Gerry,

Right on! The syllbus must be dynamic as the course and student progress.

Thanks!