The Superlative Syllabus Attitude Alignment and Avoiding Assumptions

The Superlative Syllabus: Attitude, Alignment, and Avoiding Assumptions Mike Meyer, Director William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning Tuesday, March 21, 2017 Image Credit: Phillipmartin. info/la_syllabus_m. htm

Upcoming Events… • Video as Student Assignment: The Next Step Tuesday, April 11 Noon-1 PM • UP Teaching and Learning Conference Friday, May 5, 2017, 9 AM -4 PM http: //www. mtu. edu/CTL - under “teaching development

Superlative Syllabus: ATTITUDE • What does the tone of your syllabus say? Unapproachable Arrogant Neutral Informational Supportive Understanding Confrontational “Cold” “Warm” Image Credit: http: //www. edmondsmarketing. com. a u/news/importance-of-tone/

Superlative Syllabus: ALIGNMENT Support objectives, opportunities for feedback Final Assessment Specific, Measurable, and Student. Focused Course Activities Objectives • What do you SAY the course is about? • What is it REALLY about? Were objectives accomplished? Why not?

ED 5100 objectives “Students successfully completing this class will be able to write and speak coherently about central pedagogical issues in contemporary college teaching. ” (Reading responses) “ Students successfully completing this class will have produced a course syllabus complete with an complementary 3 -4 page statement of educational philosophy, a description of teaching methods, assessment tools, and a list of course goals and objectives. This syllabus and the associated statement of philosophy will serve as a portfolio of their learning and provide evidence of their mastery of salient issues discussed in the course. ” (Final project) “Students successfully completing this class will have an informed sense of their own performance levels in an instructional setting by receiving the critical analysis of the instructor and fellow students on two paired and two individual planned mini-lessons. ” (Recorded Mini-lessons, feedback. )

PH 1210 objectives At the conclusion of the course, successful students will be able to: 1) Formulate solutions to introductory problems in electrostatics, AC/DC circuits, electromagnetism, geometric and physical optics, relativity, quantum physics, and nuclear physics. 2) Appropriately use physics terms, concepts, and models related to these topical areas. 3) Recognize appropriate values and units for relevant physical quantities and situations.

“Good Objectives” • Students will write two technical memos according to IEEE standards as posted in Canvas. • Students will solve for coefficients to balance inorganic chemical equations with up to three reactants and three products. • Students will choose correct predictive models for future trends based on information provided graphically. • Students will write a comprehensive literature review that meets all level 3 (Proficient) subgoal criteria in the Michigan Tech Information Literacy Rubric. • Students will list the components of an ecosystem. OR Students will recommend interventions to specific ecosystems to improve resilience and address specific stressors.

Superlative Syllabus: ALIGNMENT Support objectives, opportunities for feedback Final Assessment Specific, Measurable, and Student. Focused Course Activities Objectives • What do you SAY the course is about? • What is it REALLY about? Were objectives accomplished? Why not?

Superlative Syllabus: AVOIDING ASSUMPTIONS BE SPECIFIC! BE CONCISE! • Give REASONS for policies - Research shows that…. - For the good of all students in the class… - Because it results in better learning…. - Cheating hurts you, Michigan Tech, etc… • Remember Tone • 2 -3 pages (tl; dnr) • Link or refer to more details • Include policies with assignments RESOURCE: http: //www. cmu. edu/teaching/designteach/design/syllabus/samples-policiesexpectations/

Superlative Syllabus: Put it to work! • Engage students with something Interactive • Syllabus quiz or “scavenger hunt” • Group discussion and questions • Explanatory Video • Media rich (pictures, graphics, etc. ) Image Credit: http: //www. psychologicalscience. org/observer/intertwinedsciences#. WM_an 2_s. Ja. Q

Contact information: mrmeyer@mtu. edu CTL: 487 -3000 Image credit: Johanne Bouchard, https: //www. linkedin. com/pulse/20141125161326 -18341 gratitude-and-our-ability-to-humbly-say-thank-you