AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT QATAR UNIVERSITY Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course...

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT

QATAR UNIVERSITY

Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Syllabus Design (1)Syllabus Design (1)

Dr. Amal BouZeineddineDr. Amal BouZeineddineAssociate DirectorAssociate Director

Center for Teaching and LearningCenter for Teaching and LearningDecember 2007December 2007

Developing Course Learning Developing Course Learning Outcomes and syllabus Outcomes and syllabus designdesign

Session 1: Introductory Discussion

Introduction: Discussion Questions

1.1. How does your course align with your How does your course align with your Department/program goals?Department/program goals?

2.2. How does your course align with other How does your course align with other courses in the Department?courses in the Department?

3.3. How would you describe your course to a How would you describe your course to a student who is taking it as an elective or student who is taking it as an elective or who is taking it as a required course?who is taking it as a required course?


Course Syllabus DesignCourse Syllabus Design::

1.1. What is a course syllabus, is it an outline, What is a course syllabus, is it an outline, a contract with students, a description of a contract with students, a description of course requirements etc. ….?course requirements etc. ….?

2.2. What is the purpose of a course syllabus, What is the purpose of a course syllabus, is it to use as course reference, course is it to use as course reference, course evaluation tool etc. ……….?evaluation tool etc. ……….?


3.3. Who benefits from a course syllabus? How? Who benefits from a course syllabus? How?

4.4. What should a course syllabus reflect, What should a course syllabus reflect, methodology of teaching, assessment methodology of teaching, assessment strategy, course scope, etc. ……? Why?strategy, course scope, etc. ……? Why?

5.5. What are the components of a course What are the components of a course syllabus, assignment dates, test dates, syllabus, assignment dates, test dates, textbook title, etc. …….?textbook title, etc. …….?

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT QATAR UNIVERSITY

Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Syllabus Design (2)

Course Basic Facts

Dr. Amal BouZeineddineAssociate Director

Center for Teaching and LearningDecember 2007

Syllabus Components

1. Course Basic Facts2. Course Description (prerequisites if any)3. Course Description in University Catalogue4. General Instructional Objectives (Optional)5. Student (Specific) Learning Outcomes 6. Course Resources7. Student Assessment8. Course Policies9. Course Outline10. Suggestion: You may want to include, a relevant

saying or personal motto, Faculty logo, a funny request etc. BE CREATIVE.

Syllabus Components: Course Basic Facts1. Institution’s Name2. Faculty3. Department4. Semester, Year5. Course Title, Number, Credits6. Course pre/co requisites7. Course Meeting Time, Venue8. Instructor’s Name (possibly title)9. Contacts of Course Instructor:• Office #• Extension #; Cellular phone # ????• E-mail Address• Office Hours• Few include their photograph; motto; saying; faculty logo

etc.

Course Basic Information: SampleAmerican University of BeirutFaculty of Arts and Sciences

Department of EducationEduc. 245: Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in the Elementary

School (co requisite Educ. 230)

Semester: Fall 2007/2008

Dr. A. BouZeineddine Educ. 245 (3crs.)

Fisk Hall – Room131 Fisk Hall - Room 104

Office Hours: MWF 11:00 am – 12:00

noon or by appointment 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm

Tel. Ext. 3065 Mondays and Wednesdays

E-mail: [email protected]

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUTAMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT

QATAR UNIVERSITYQATAR UNIVERSITY

Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Syllabus Design (3)Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Syllabus Design (3)

Course DescriptionCourse Description



Syllabus Components: Course Description

Course descriptions allow students to Course descriptions allow students to visualize the visualize the contentcontent and and methodologymethodology of the course; they provide an of the course; they provide an overviewoverview of the course. of the course.

You may want to write the first draft of You may want to write the first draft of your course description, come back to your course description, come back to it later and modify it based on it later and modify it based on Objectives and Learning Outcomes. Objectives and Learning Outcomes.

In general, course descriptions fall into In general, course descriptions fall into two categories: interrogatory or two categories: interrogatory or declarative. declarative.


Following is an example of a description that asks questions. Read it Following is an example of a description that asks questions. Read it through and report whether it includes content methodology and through and report whether it includes content methodology and overview:overview:

InterrogatoryInterrogatory: : Political Sciences 340Political Sciences 340Individual Responsibility in OrganizationsIndividual Responsibility in Organizations This course examines research on responsibility and relates it to This course examines research on responsibility and relates it to how we run our business, government, educational and other how we run our business, government, educational and other institutions. What do we do that sabotages responsibility? How institutions. What do we do that sabotages responsibility? How can you design organizations so that people feel responsible? Is can you design organizations so that people feel responsible? Is there a relationship between responsibility and efficiency? If so, there a relationship between responsibility and efficiency? If so, why is it a secret? why is it a secret?

Method: collaborative inquiry.Method: collaborative inquiry.


Here is another example of a description which uses declarative statements. Here is another example of a description which uses declarative statements. Read it through and report whether it includes content methodology and Read it through and report whether it includes content methodology and overview:overview:Declarative: History 212Renaissance Europe This course will examine the cultural and intellectual This course will examine the cultural and intellectual movement known as the Renaissance, from its origins in movement known as the Renaissance, from its origins in fourteenth-century Italy to its diffusion into the rest of Europe fourteenth-century Italy to its diffusion into the rest of Europe in the sixteenth century. We will trace the great changes in in the sixteenth century. We will trace the great changes in the world of learning and letters, the visual arts, and music, the world of learning and letters, the visual arts, and music, along with those taking place in politics, economics, and social along with those taking place in politics, economics, and social organization. We will be reading primary sources as well as organization. We will be reading primary sources as well as modern works. Discussions on issues and group presentations modern works. Discussions on issues and group presentations will be the main focus of our work.will be the main focus of our work.

Course Description: Tips You may want to use statements such as:

The students will explore …… [List the topics covered in brief descriptive phrases] will be examined in relation to….. There will be emphasis on ….

If the first line of a description does no more than repeat the course title, omit it and go on to the next line.

If a term such as "laboratory", "seminar" or "workshop" is used in the title, you don’t need to repeat it in the description.

If the course number or title adequately indicates the relative sophistication of the course, it is unnecessary to use "introduction to" or "advanced study of" in the course description.

In general, the course description should cover the course aims, structure (methodology) and assessment.

Use action words, active voice, convey a user-friendly tone, and use tasteful humor if you deem appropriate.

Proof read!!

Let’s write/review our course Let’s write/review our course description.description.

Other Samples of Course Description

Sample 1Course Title: Basic Training Course in Biologics Development

Course Description:This course will provide an overview of the processes and problems common in Biological Development. The course will provide participants with an understanding of key points in the development of new biotechnology medicines from the initial identification of a potential therapeutic or vaccine candidate to post-approval monitoring. The course will focus on the decisions that need to be made throughout the drug development process and the criteria influencing these decisions. Case studies / PBL will be used to discuss course topics.


Sample 2: Summer at Case Equinox Program, 2006 Summer, Creative Writing, Sears 356

Course Description:

Students explore the art and craft of creative writing including poetry, short story, essay, memoir, and drama. Time is spent developing observation, interpretation, and expression skills. The central focus throughout the course will be on unearthing a unique and personal voice. Raw material will be gathered from imagination, the senses, memory, readings, and the world around us. Informal readings will occur throughout the course and formal readings will be scheduled for the end of each week. Students will experiment with critical reading and thinking about creative writing through written and oral exercises.


Sample 3Course Description

Educ. 245 is a methodology course meant to prepare interns to teach language arts in the elementary school. The course combines theory and practice where interns discuss analyze and evaluate different approaches to teaching language arts in the elementary school, experiment with these approaches in their field experience and share their observations with their peers. Interns are expected to assume actual teaching responsibilities under the supervision of mentors at their cooperating schools. The course follows the discussion/inquiry model whereby students bring to class their field experiences, analyze based on course materials. Developing a teaching philosophy, compiling a working portfolio, doing a residency week and video taping micro teaching are essential components of Educ. 245. In this course, interns are treated and evaluated as professionals in the field of education who reflect on teaching practices and objectively assess their work as well as their peers’.

Let’s REVIEW OUR COURSE Let’s REVIEW OUR COURSE DESCRIPTION!DESCRIPTION!

References

http://universitysenate.syr.edu/curricula/writing.html

http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/en/wtts/description.htm

http://precollege.case.edu/syl/CreativeWritingEquinox07.pdf

http://www.ctl.sas.upenn.edu/tips/index.html

http://www.usm.maine.edu/olli/national/pdf/USM-PR_Tips.pdf

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT QATAR UNIVERSITY


Developing Course General Instructional Objectives (GIO’s)



General Instructional Objectives (GIO’s)

GIO’s are fairly broad statements reflecting what students should learn as a result of taking the course.

GIO’s express the general focus of the course and help students understand the direction the course will take.

An example of a course goal is: “Students will develop a basic speaking knowledge of the French language that will enable them to carry on a simple conversation with a native French speaker.”

Another course goal might be “Students will be able to apply basic economic concepts to current economic situations.”


In articulating our GIO’s, we refer to general terms such as: students will acquire, know, understand, appreciate, grasp the significance of, believe, internalize, experience, recognize, identify etc.

To articulate our GIO’s, we could ask: In what ways will students be “different” when they finish the course?

GIO’s are where we intend to go, and learning outcomes are proof that you have arrived.


KEEP IN MIND: A GIO is articulated in abstract terms. It is non observable

/non measurable. It describes what we think students should know and know how to do, and what attitudes they should have by the end of the course. knowledge, skills, attitude.

GIO’s are concerned with students, not faculty, and will guide students in their studies.

GIO’S provide a basis for setting curriculum priorities to focus on the most meaningful content throughout the course.

Think about GIO’s as such: you can see someone drawing, but you cannot see him/her understanding art.

More GIO Examples :

Students should be able to differentiate between hard woods and soft woods.

Students will comprehend principles of ethics in the work place. Students should demonstrate a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary methods of experimental psychology.

Students should be able to apply basic principles of human metabolism.

Students should develop an understanding of important concepts and methods in the field of literary criticism.

Students will learn how to use basic chemical concepts in a laboratory experiment.

Upon completion of this course, students will recognize how cardiac abnormalities manifest clinically as disease processes .

Program Goals

General Instructional Objectives

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Go to Page 3 in handout. Complete the Rubric titled: Beginning at the Beginning

2. Discuss your responses.

Developing GIO’s: Steps and Exercises

1. Begin by brainstorming about what ideal students at the end of your course and based on your instruction should know, learn, be able to do, etc.

2. You should have a clear idea of how the course and the GIO’s will fit into a larger program.

DISCUSS YOUR RESPONSES

3. Consult with colleagues for advice to avoid too much unnecessary repetition across courses.

1. Do Exercises on pages 6, 7 and 8 in handout.

2. Discuss your responses.



Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Syllabus Design (5)Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Syllabus Design (5)

Developing Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s)Developing Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s)



Let’s start with your experience. Let’s start with your experience. Go to page 2 in handout and do Go to page 2 in handout and do Reflection, Exercise 1Reflection, Exercise 1.

Share your responses.Share your responses.

Go to page 3, do exercise 2, share Go to page 3, do exercise 2, share your responses.your responses.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s):

What are they? Course-level SLO’s are written statements of what students are expected to learn and perform in a course. They serve as means for:

1) articulating what we want students to know and be able to do as a result of their learning experiences in a course, and

2) designing assessment tools in order to know whether or not the outcomes have been realized.

We all have goals in mind for what we want our students to know and be able to do as a result of a semester spent with us, so this process is simply about writing them down and making them clear to students.

SLO’s: why do we need them at the course level?They: Make course learning expectations transparent;

Increase students’ awareness of and reflection on their own learning;

Help students understand where they are supposed to be headed or what they are aiming for as learners;

Help establish a common language among faculty, students and other stakeholders for describing and assessing course content;

Provide advisors with a useful tool for helping advisees make decisions about course registration;

Help faculty self-assess/reflect on practice;

Define potential evidence bases for course revision and design; and

May satisfy important accreditation requirements by external evaluators.

How Do We Articulate SLO’s?

In order to articulate learning outcomes, you may find it helpful to categorize the kinds of performances and products you expect from students in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude.

Consider what you want students to be able to do as a result of their learning experiences in your course. Write them down as your first draft.

You may want to refer to Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Writing SLO’s

Consider a taxonomy of knowledge such as Bloom’s Taxonomy. Bloom (1956) defined three different domains of knowledge:

Cognitive domain (thinking, knowledge): student cognitive behavior is categorized into six levels ranging from simple (knowledge) to more complex behaviors (evaluation)

Affective domain (feeling, attitudes): this domain ranges from receiving going up to internalizing. Psychomotor domain (doing, skills): this taxonomy ranges from the simple act of perception to the highest level of behavior, organization.

Bloom’s Taxonomy: Cognitive Domain

Level / Definition Sample Verbs Knowledge / Definition: Remembers previously learned material

Define, Identify, Label, List, Name, Recall, State, Memorize, Repeat, Underline

Comprehension / Definition: Grasps the meaning of material, repeats it in his/her own words (lowest level of understanding)

Describe, Discuss, Explain, Locate, Paraphrase, Give example, Translate, Restate, Tell, Interpret

Application / Definition: Uses learning in new and concrete situations (higher level of understanding)

Apply, Carry out, Demonstrate, Illustrate, Prepare, Solve, Use, Compute, Dramatize, Practice, Sketch, Operate

Analysis / Definition Understands both the content and structure of the material, can break it down into its constituents

Analyze, Categorize, Compare, Contrast, Differentiate, Discriminate, Distinguish, Test, Outline, Categorize, Critique, Debate, Solve, Classify, Infer

Synthesis / Definition Formulates new structures from existing knowledge and skills

Assemble, Combine, Compose, Construct, Create, Design, Develop, Formulate, Generate, Plan, Propose, Produce, Set-up, Integrate, Generalize

Evaluation / Definition Judges the value of material for a given purpose based on developed criteria

Assess, Argue, Conclude, , Convince, Defend Evaluate, Interpret, Justify, Select, Support, Appraise, Estimate, Grade, Measure, Rate, Revise, Value, Recommend, Summarize

Exercise 2Exercise 2

Examine the following statements: Which Examine the following statements: Which in your judgment are acceptable SLO’s? in your judgment are acceptable SLO’s? Why?Why?

““By the end of the course, I will be able By the end of the course, I will be able to demonstrate to students how to set up to demonstrate to students how to set up lab equipment.” lab equipment.”

““By the end of the course, students will By the end of the course, students will be able to set up laboratory equipment be able to set up laboratory equipment based on specified tasks and purposes”based on specified tasks and purposes”

Student focused versus Teacher focused

Exercise 1, Cont’d

By the end of the semester, the By the end of the semester, the course will instill an understanding of course will instill an understanding of the scientific method.”the scientific method.”

By the end of the semester, students will be able to analyze what constitutes valid and invalid conclusions

Focused on the process versus focused on theOutcome.

Exercise 1 Cont’dExercise 1 Cont’d

Students will write a lesson plan at the end of Students will write a lesson plan at the end of each chapter.each chapter.

Students will design different lesson plans in Students will design different lesson plans in relation to a variety of instructional models relation to a variety of instructional models such as inquiry model, cooperative learning, such as inquiry model, cooperative learning, lecturing etc.lecturing etc.

Activity based versus outcomes based

HANDOUT: Exercise 1Let’s do exercise 3, on Page 10.

Writing SLO’s: tips How many learning outcomes in a course should we develop?

You may want to develop as many outcomes as needed in order to clearly indicate to the students what they will gain from the course.

When writing your course SLO’s, you may want to consider the following:

+ Each major topic in the course should have one to three learning outcomes. + Each 45-hour or three-credit course should have between five and 12 learning outcomes.

Writing SLO’s: More Tips

Check whether your students’ intended performance is observable.

Check whether you can assess/measure your students’ observable performance.

Align course learning outcomes with the mission and GIO’s of your program.

Indicate the type and level of knowledge, attitude and skills which are expected of students upon completion of the course.

Make sure each statement has one action verb. Do not include more than one expectation in one statement because the required assessment methods may differ.

Focus on the learning result (i.e. product or performance) that the student will exhibit and not the learning process or your instruction.

Write learning outcomes which can be measured by more than one assessment method.

3.4 Formulating course goals and learning objectives Here are some examples of course goals and words used to formulate specific learning objectives:

EXAMPLES OF COURSE GOALS

LAW MATHEMATICAL

SCIENCES GEOPHYSICS

To understand the

concepts and principles

which underpin

Environmental Law

To develop problem

solving skills using the

techniques of linear

algebra

To develop the skills in

interpreting and

mapping geophysical

data sets

To formulate Learning Objectives based on these Course Goals, use verbs such as...

define re-state recall discuss list describe name translate relate explain repeat identify

locate examine analyse synthesise interpret judge solve

identify appraise categorise hypothesise compare construct apply

Writing SLO’s: Examples

1.Bio 100/101

General Instructional Objective/Goal: Students will be able to understand how the biological

sciences explain the natural world.

Specific Learning Outcome: Students will:1. Design an experiment, based on a reasonable scientific

hypothesis, to demonstrate how an environmental factor affects a living

organism

2. Choose 2 biological concepts from the following list and explain how they are related: ecology, cell function, evolution, genetics.


2. English 110

General Instructional Objective/Goal: Students will understand how major works of literature

explore the human condition and examine human values.

Specific Learning Outcome:Students will be able to: Identify the characteristics inherent in literature, such as

emotional, intellectual and aesthetic design, on problems of the human condition.

Relate the characteristics of literature to larger cultural and human values.


2. Course Learning Outcomes (Educ. 245)You should be able to: describe the cognitive, social, physical, emotional

and language development of students in the elementary school;

demonstrate (in writing and actual teaching) how to implement effectively major instructional methods, approaches and techniques in teaching the language arts in the elementary school;

plan lessons based on the language arts components under student-centered classes in the elementary school;

Reflect on your teaching practices; assess your peers’ micro teaching practices; develop your philosophy of teaching the language

arts in the elementary school, supported with evidence.

Writing SLO’s: More ExamplesAt the end of this course, students will be able to: Use change theory to develop family-centered care within the

context of nursing practice. Design improved bias circuits using negative feedback. Demonstrate the safe use of welding equipment. In an anatomy module, students will be able to describe the

muscle insertion points in the Femur. In a public health module, students will able to describe the

effect Chadwick had upon various law reforms. In a community care module, students will be able to

demonstrate the appropriate behavior when visiting a patient at home.

At the end of this course in Engineering Graphics you, the student will be able to draw a multi-view representation of a solid object using a computer-aided-design software.

In a clinical skills module, students will be able to demonstrate effectively basic ressuscitation techniques on a mannequin.

For Med three, students will be able to perform an appropriate medical examination under emergency room conditions.

For Med four, students will be able to collate all patient information for ward rounds.

Writing SLO’s

A. Write SLO’s for the following GIO:“Understands modern drama”Share and discuss your responses.

B. Go back to the GIO’s you developed earlier. Articulate SLO’s to these GIO’s. Go to page 11. Do Exercises 4, Checklist, to verify the accuracy of these SLO’s.

Share and discuss your responses.



Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Syllabus Design (6)_Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course Syllabus Design (6)_

Assessment of Student Learning Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes at the Course LevelOutcomes at the Course Level



What is Assessment?

Assessment is an on-going process aimed at understanding and improving student learning [and instructor’s teaching practices].

It involves making our expectations explicit and public; setting appropriate criteria and high standards for learning quality; systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well performance matches those expectations and standards; and using the resulting information to document, explain, and improve performance.

When it is embedded effectively within larger institutional systems, assessment can help us focus our collective attention, examine our assumptions, and create a shared academic culture dedicated to assuring and improving the quality of higher education.

(Definition by The American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) Bulletin, 48 (2), November 1995, pp. 7-9.)

Course Assessment Methods

Assessment methods include indirect and direct measures of learning:

Indirect Measures of Learning. Indirect measures of learning include self-report measures such as surveys distributed to learner—surveys which can be used both in courses and at the program and institutional levels. Such techniques as surveying alumni about their preparedness to enter the job market or surveying employers about the strengths and weaknesses of graduates can provide some information about perceptions of student achievement. Such surveys can alert the school to trends, validate other sources of curriculum guidance, and maintain external relationships. By themselves, surveys are weak evidence for learning.

Course Assessment Methods

Direct Measures of Learning. Direct assessments take a variety of forms such as projects, products, essay/papers, exhibitions, case studies, clinical evaluations, interviews, oral exams, and any number of performance assessments that actively involve students in their learning.

Direct Measures of Learning: Methods

1.Annotated bibliographies and literature reviews2. Behavioral observations 3. Examination revisions 4. Extended project 5. Formal reports 6. In-class writing or performance 7. Interviews 8. Journals 9. Locally developed examinations

Direct Measures of Learning: Methods (Cont’d)

10. Oral examinations 11. Oral presentations or performance 12. Portfolios 13. Short topic homework assignments 14. Short undocumented essays 15. Short documented essays 16. Simulations 17. Writing revisions 18. Written surveys and questionnaires

Direct Measures of Learning: Methods (Cont’d)

19. Secondary analyses of course papers 20. Secondary analyses of course projects 21. Capstone courses22. Videotapes of performances 23. Standardized and certification exams 24. Exit interviews or surveys of seniors25. Internship evaluations26. Rubrics27. Case Studies28. Standardized Achievement Tests

Table 1: Alignment of learning outcomes and assessment methods (Adapted from Biggs 2004)

Learning Outcomes: On completion of this module students should be able:

Assessment Methods

*Teaching/Learning Activities

To list the main signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Choice Questions

Lecture on various signs/symptoms, In-class exercises/quizzes on terminology.

Table 1: Alignment of learning outcomes and assessment methods Cont’d)


Assessment Methods





To formulate end products using selected ingredients

Food Formulation Project

Lectures and problem based laboratory exercise.


Assessment Methods








To identify an area for research in the discipline

1,000 word research proposal

Presentation of examples of research questions, Student discussion groups on research areas.


Assessment Methods








To identify an area for research in the discipline

1,000 word research proposal

Presentation of examples of research questions, Student discussion groups on research areas.

To give presentations using effective presentation skills

In-class graded presentation

Practice sessions in the class, Peer assessment, using criteria of others presenting in class

USING EVIDENCE GATHERED IN USING EVIDENCE GATHERED IN

ASSESSMENTASSESSMENT

1. Specify procedures for analyzing and interpreting the evidence gathered in assessment.

2. Identify the means by which information that results from assessment can be used for decision-making, strategic planning, program evaluation and program improvement.

Classwork

Go back to your GIO’s & SLO’s. Go back to your GIO’s & SLO’s.

Assign an assessment method for Assign an assessment method for each SLO. each SLO.

Justify & Discuss your responses. Justify & Discuss your responses.

Class work

Go back to your assessment tools, assign a percentage for each tool as part of the final grade.

Justify your grade distribution on the basis of SLO weight.

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Course Policies



Syllabus Components

1. Course Basic Facts2. Course Description (prerequisites if any)3. Catalogue Course Description4. General Instructional Objectives (Optional)5. Student (Specific) Learning Outcomes 6. Course Resources7. Student Assessment8. Course Policies9. Course Outline10. Suggestion: You may want to include, a

relevant saying or personal motto, Faculty logo, a funny request etc. BE CREATIVE.

Syllabus Components: Course Policies

Policies and Procedures

Because the syllabus is analogous to a legal contract, several policies and procedures must be covered to adequately protect both teachers and students. Especially if you are a new instructor on a campus, you are encouraged to seek advice from colleagues and/or campus teaching centers about campus-specific policies and procedures. Briefly, these are

some issues you should address:


Attendance Policy.

Most campuses have some form of attendance policy. Some campuses may specify the number of absences a student may have in a course and the consequences for exceeding that number whereas other campuses may officially leave attendance to the discretion of the instructor. Typically, such policies are articulated in the campus undergraduate bulletin/catalogue. In your syllabus you should specify, in detail, your attendance policy. In particular, you should indicate the number of absences students may have, the specific consequences for exceeding that number, and what you count as "excused absences."


Academic Misconduct Policy

As with attendance policies, most campuses have official policies governing cases of academic misconduct including cheating and plagiarism. This policy should be articulated in your syllabus as well including definitions of academic misconduct and potential consequences if such conduct is

proven.


Accommodation Policy Obviously, teachers have an obligation (and legal responsibility) to make reasonable accommodations for students with special needs. In your syllabus, you should explain that you are willing to make such accommodations and also provide the contact information for your campus disability services office.


Late Work Policy

Many instructors fail to include this policy on their syllabi and decide whether to accept late work on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, this strategy can create perceptions of inequity if students perceive such decisions to be inconsistent. In your syllabus, you should explain the exact conditions (if any) under which you will accept late work or allow "make up"

exams.


Grading Policy

In your syllabus you should specify exactly how students will be graded and the grading scale used to determine final

grades (even if the scale is a standard 90-80-70-60 scale).

http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/speech/stewart9/teachers/syllabi/sylltips.htm

Course Policies: Sample/ Educ. 245, fall 2007/2008

1. READINGS. You are encouraged to read the assigned materials for each class session before coming to class. The language used in discussing the reading materials is English.

2. ACTIVITIES. You should be prepared to participate in the activities

delineated in the Course Syllabus. The course activities are designed to help you understand, apply and share ideas pertinent to the course reading materials, field experience, micro-teaching and lesson-planning.

3. PLACEMENT DESCRIPTION. You need to select one of your students at your cooperating school. Go back to references on human development. Develop a list which describes children at your placement’s age group, linguistically, cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. Observe your placement and record how he/she compares to the literature keeping in mind how children in this part of the world may vary from the literature on children in the Western hemisphere. Write a well documented paper in which you describe your placement citing evidence to your claims.


4. REFLECTION PAPERS. You are expected to write a minimum of 5 reflection papers and maximum of 7 which show how and why specific (concrete) teaching experiences have affected your teaching practices (i.e. analysis of the experiences and not anecdotal reporting). You may want to write why you chose the incident, what you learned from it, analyze why it is of relevance, recommend possible solutions/ideas etc. You are encouraged to support your position with what the literature reports. Reflection papers will be part of your portfolio but assessed separately.

5. ASSIGNMENTS. You are expected to submit assignments on time as delineated in the course outline. Late assignments may result in a lowered grade. Late assignments should be handed in no later than the next class session.

6. MICRO-TEACHING. You will do micro-teach at your cooperating school, have your micro-teaching video-taped and be ready to discuss your micro-teaching with your peers. You will do self assessment of your micro-teaching on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being low, 3 average and 5 high); your peers in the course and the course instructor will assess your micro-teaching using the same scale.


7. LESSON-PLANS. You will develop lesson-plans based on the course readings. These lesson plans are meant to introduce you to the purpose, implementation and importance of planning your language arts lessons. A conference with each one of you will follow the date of submitting the lesson plans. The purpose of the conference is to review, correct, modify the lesson plans and for you to go through self-assessment of your lesson plans. It is your responsibility to schedule these conferences.

8. ATTENDANCE. You are urged to attend all classes. In case of absence from any class, you are required to cover the material missed and inquire about any announcements made during your absence. If you miss more than one fifth of class sessions, you are subject to withdrawing from the course with a w-grade. Kindly, refer to AUB 2006-2007 Catalogue.

9. PORTFOLIO. You should compile a well organized portfolio which is a collection of your work throughout the semester. The portfolio may include entries such as your teaching philosophy and goals, cooperating school description, cooperating teacher’s teaching practices, language arts curriculum, Field Experience Handbook, course syllabus, lesson plans, materials developed by you or provided to you, pictures, journals, reflection papers, assignments, etc. Your portfolios will be assessed on a scale of 1 to 5, (1 being poor, 3 average and 5 outstanding). Your portfolio is due last week of classes.


10. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. The heart of the teaching profession is integrity. Any violation of academic integrity will not be tolerated and will result in serious repercussions. Please refer to AUB Policies and Procedures on academic integrity. http://pnp.aub.edu.lb/university/handbook/158010044.html

11. COMMUNICATION VIA E MAIL/ Moodle. You are kindly requested to check your e- mail/web-CT on regular basis. I will be sending you messages, articles, assignments etc. You are responsible for any missed communication.

12. WITHDRAWAL. Kindly observe the withdrawal deadline set by the Registrar’s office, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Consult with your academic advisor before withdrawing from any course.

13. EXAMS. You are urged to take exams on the assigned date. Make-up exams are NOT given for quizzes. A quiz missed is a grade missed. If you miss the mid-term, a make-up will be given ONLY if the reason of being absent is deemed valid. The mid-term is scheduled during the seventh week of the semester. The final exam will follow AUB scheduling.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT QATAR UNIVERSITY Developing Course Learning Outcomes and Course...

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