Teaching Tip: Build a better syllabus

April 14, 2015

As you prepare your syllabus for summer or fall semesters, why not give it a thorough, critical look-through to make sure it looks great, functions well, meets all �� requirements and, for eLearning-supported courses, has all of the components helpful for online students? These are included in the syllabus template your instructional designer provides.

Check that all are present.

Write good learning outcomes and objectives based on measurable evidence. It helps to review .

Make sure your course schedule fully represents the topics, activities and assessments for each lesson. It is not enough to say "lab" or "quiz." Describe each item in your schedule with contextual titles so students can use the schedule to navigate the material and assignments. Especially in an asynchronous course, this type of lesson outline can help students stay on track. A fully formed calendar is also mandatory during any Faculty Senate review process.

Verify that the information you provide under student support services and disability services is current.

If you are teaching an eLearning-supported course, the syllabus template you receive from your instructional designer will also contain a section for how to contact �� eLearning Student Services for things like technical help, proctoring and advising.

for more syllabus tips that can help your students succeed.

— Teaching Tip by , �� eLearning instructional designer

Join Madara Mason, of eLearning, and Chris Beks, of the Office of Information Technology, for their syllabus-building session on April 16, from noon–1 p.m. in Bunnell 319B. RSVP to gabender@alaska.edu. This session is part of the hosted by �� eLearning and OIT.

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