Title: The Importance of a Syllabus - SPS | Distance Learning
Headings: The Importance of a Syllabus
The Importance of a Syllabus
What Is A Syllabus?
Why Should We Care About A Syllabus?
How To Make The Syllabus Engaging
References

Content: It is crucial then that the terms of the contract are clear and students know what is expected of them. The syllabus lays out your expectations for the quality of work you expect from your students and shows students how they should prepare for class. For example, the syllabus can explain whether students are supposed to do the readings before or after class. Including a course calendar in the syllabus helps students meet your expectations by allowing them to plan how much time to spend on each assignment. In addition to providing a course calendar, including tips for students on how much time to spend on an assignment makes it easier for students to manage their time (Bart, 2015). How To Make The Syllabus Engaging
Since the syllabus contains a lot of policy related items that may not be all that interesting to students, you may want to take a few extra steps to spice up your syllabus. Weimer (2011) suggests posing some questions in the course description that pique students’ curiosity about the subject. Explain to students that they will be able to answer these questions throughout the quarter as they complete the assignments and engage with the course materials. In the instructor biography, say a few words that show your passion for the subject and your excitement about teaching. For more information on how to spice up your syllabus or how to use a syllabus, please check out the a few Faculty Focus articles listed below.