Dynamic/Leading Syllbus
When doing an online syllabus, I put in multiple "hints" in the syllabus to help students now what to focus on for the week. I feel this helps students to not feel overwhelmed when assigned to read multiple chapters, and at times review multiple sources.
I supplement this by doing a "Hints Announcement" each week as a reminder what is most important to know for the concepts and assignemnts for the week.
Rodney C.
Rodney,
Hints are a good idea and they can help students focus on certain aspects and important components. We all need reminding from time to time. ;-)
The online class that I teach has the announcements for the class posted weekly. when the announcement is posted it leads the student to the weekly roadmap to help the student plan their week so they can know when and what assignment is due.
Announcements are a key reminder we can use as teacher to provide students with weekly hints.
Zara,
In my LMS we can send an announcement and also send an email at the same time. It saves time.
Thanks for you input.
A dynamic : Your professor's name, contact information, office location, and office hours.
The name of the course, its course and section number, meeting days/times, a description of the course, and its learning objectives -- what you can expect to know or do by the end of the semester.
Information about the textbook and any other assigned readings.
Quiz and test dates, as well as due dates for readings, written assignments, and projects. The syllabus may also include descriptions, instructions, and how-tos for assignments.
A calendar that reveals how the course is organized and what's happening in class each day it meets and that probably integrates the due dates listed above.
Class policies, including grading scale and policies.
The professor's expectations of you
Vimlarani,
The syllabus is many times the first level of communication with the students and needs such details as those you listed in this forum. Thanks so much.
Hello Rodney,
I like the idea of placing "hints" in the syllabus. In the online course I am currently enrolled in the professor posts a "weekly checklist." This may be similar to your "hints". The checklist is an invaluable tool to keep students on track. It briefly lists all items that need to be completed that week. I use it as a checklist. With this tool there is no doubt that you have forgotten to do an assignment. We all get busy, and it is comforting to know that you are on track.
Cheers!
Virginia,
Checklist as helpful hints certainly can be comforting and help students stay on task. For those that accept late work, it should help reduce that as well. Thanks for the tips.
I do a scavenger hunt in the syllabus and students have to find the clues, it seems the only way to get some of them to open the document :)
Patricia,
Well, there you go. Make a game out of anything and the students will do it! ;-) I know many online instructors that do a quiz (that is a part of the students' grade) on the syllabus. That makes them look for sure.
Thanks!
