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Before Instruction |
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During Instruction |
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After Instruction |
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Before Instruction
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Introduction
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Introduction
Universities usually require that the syllabus for a course be filed with the department. However, before filing the syllabus it’s wise to ask a senior faculty member or department chair to look at it. Making the content and methods of your course more “public” enables your colleagues to give you feedback about content and expectations and gives them more knowledge about how you will be handling your class. Votes on your retention will be made by these same colleagues, and knowledge that you are trying to do a good job of instruction can work to your benefit. Having a critique of your syllabus placed in your personnel file can be an important part of your teaching record.
All classes assume some related, previous knowledge on the part of the students. Before instruction begins you could determine the extent of prior student knowledge. For example, suppose that the course you are teaching will require students to solve an algebraic equation although the course itself does not address solving equations. If you can determine at the beginning of the course that some students do not have the requisite knowledge or skills required, you should inform them so that
- students can drop the course and get the prerequisite learning
- students can brush up on the skills by themselves
- you offer additional “remedial” sessions
- you incorporate the necessary learning in the class
Therefore, before instruction begins, you can receive feedback from your peers on your syllabus and from you students on their knowledge and skills related to the content.
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