Title: The Classroom Experience
1The Classroom Experience
2- Learning is not a spectator sport. Students do
not learn much just by sitting in class listening
to teachers, memorizing prepackaged assignments,
and spitting out answers. They must talk about
what they are learning, write about it, relate it
to past experiences, apply it to their daily
lives. They must make what they learn part of
themselves. - Aurthur W. Chickering Zelda F. Gamson, Seven
Principles for Good Practice, AAHE Bulletin
393-7, 1987
3How will you spend the first day of class?
- The first day of class sets the tone for the
entire semester.
4Undergraduate students want to know two kinds of
information on the first day
- 1. They want to learn as much as possible about
how the class will be conducted so they will know
if they want to stay in the class or drop based
on the work requirements.
- 2. They are curious about the instructor as a
person (Are you fair, do you care about them, do
you care about the course?)
5- A well-written syllabus distributed on the first
day promotes a positive attitude in students as
it is your first demonstration that you care
about the course and have made an effort to plan
it carefully.
- Comments you make about the textbook are
important as students are deciding if they need
to buy it and how closely they will need to read
the text.
6- Stressing your availability during office hours
and staying after class to answer questions
suggests you are caring and accessible. - Introduce the course. Explain the objectives and
why it is important for students to be excited
about learning this material.
- Be enthusiastic about the course. Show your
students that this the material is fascinating! - Ask a burning question that will start
students thinking about your course and its
content.
7- Plan enough material for the entire class period.
Early dismissal makes the statement that the
first day and perhaps the first week arent
really important (a major problem with ASU
students).
8- Provide an index card to each student and ask for
pertinent information that will help you better
understand your students. Use this to help you
learn names (this shows students you care and
also motivates them to achieve).
9The Syllabus
- Guidelines for Preparation
10The majority of student complaints and formal
grievances can be avoided with a well-planned
syllabus.
An ASU Administrator
11Functions of the Syllabus
- Communicates course goals and performance
expectations - Provides an orientation to the course
- Provides a contract between student and
instructor - Provides written documentation of policies
- Provides written guidance to assignments,
grading, requirements, etc. - Reduces student (and instructor) anxiety
12Basic Syllabus Content
- Course Name
- Course Prefix, Number and Section
- Semester and Year
- Time and Meeting Days
- Room and Building
- Prerequisites and or co-requisites catalog
description of the course - Contact hours per week number of lectures,
labs, individualized instruction, conferences,
clinics, field placements, co-op hours, etc.
13Instructor Information
- Name
- Rank and Title
- Office (Room and Building)
- Office Phone Number, FAX
- Home Phone Number (optional add restrictions
such as no calls after 10 PM) - Office Hours - indicate if appointments necessary
(generally a minimum of 5 hours per week) - Email Address, Website URL
- Instructors Educational Philosophy
14Specific Course Information
- Text(s) - specify author, edition, publisher
- Other required materials
- Pre-requisites or special skills/knowledge
required - Recommended text(s) or materials (not required)
- Reserved library reference materials
15Course Description
- Catalog Description (expanded)
- Explain why we study this area of knowledge
16Course Goals Objectives
- Instructional Goals and Objectives
- Student Goals and Objectives
- Expected characteristics, qualities,
competencies, abilities mastered at end of course - How does the course fit into the overall
discipline or general education requirement - What is the value of the course to the student
17- What are the benefits and practical applications
of this course - Why is the course content arranged as such
- Is the course primarily lecture, lab, discussion,
group work, etc.
18General University Policies
- Class Attendance (1000/2000 level courses)
- Inclement Weather
- Students with Disabilities or Special Needs
- Plagiarism (Turn It In software available)
- Cheating
19Specific Instructor Policies
- Missed or late assignments
- Exam make-ups (extenuating circumstances defined)
- Class attendance and tardiness
- Cell phones and other electronic devices
- Eating/beverages
- Classroom behavior
- Other policies
20Course Calendar
- Topics and sequence to be covered (with dates
preferred) - Due dates for reading assignments, projects,
exams, etc. - Important university dates - final exam date for
your course, last day to drop course or withdraw
from university
21Course Requirements Grading
- Grading standards, weight, criteria/ rubric for
each graded component to be used in the final
grade (state scale, number of points, etc.) - Description of each course assignment and project
(format, typed, grammar, spelling, due date,
approximate length, research -library, internet,
etc.)
22- Purpose of each assignment/project
- Testing Style - multiple choice, essay, short
answer, T-F, combination - Do tests evaluate memory, understanding, critical
thinking/synthesis, vocabulary
23- Attendance and Participation grades (state how
you define and measure participation) - Extra Credit
- Dropping of exams or quizzes
- Unannounced quizzes
- It is important to spell out exactly how the
final grade will be derived
.
24Miscellaneous Information
- Leave space for students to record the names,
phone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least
two classmates - Provide any helpful hints on studying, note
taking or how to be successful in your class
25- Bibliography or list of supplemental readings
- List of on-line resources
- List of campus resources for academic support,
tutoring, personal counseling
26Important Dates Fall 2005
- Last day to add a course - Aug. 28
- Labor Day Holiday - Sept. 6
- Last day to drop a Session 1 course Sept. 27
- Last day to drop all other courses or withdraw
from the university Nov. 18 - Thanksgiving Holiday/Fall Break - Nov. 21-26
- Study Day - Dec. 7
- Finals Week - Dec. 8-14 (Dec. 15 make-up day for
inclement weather if needed)
27Attendance Policies and Practices
28WN Grading Withdrawal for Nonattendance
-
- Taking of attendance is required through the
first 11 official days of class. Any student who
does not attend during this period is assigned a
grade of WN for non-attendance - Any student who attends one or more days of class
during the official enrollment period is assumed
to be enrolled - In most cases, students dropped for
non-attendance can be re-admitted students
should be referred to the Registrars Office
29Make-up Policies for Students on Official
University Business
- Student athletes, choir, band,
- debate team, etc.
- Students missing class due to official university
activities are to be given the opportunity to
make-up missed work - The dropping of the missed exam or assignment is
not appropriate
301000/2000 Level Attendance
- Attendance in 1000 and 2000 level courses
- Absences can be no more than 2 times the number
of class meetings each week - 3X 6 absences (ex M, W, F)
- 2X 4 absences (ex T, R or M, W)
- 1X 2 absences
- A grade of F may be assigned for excessive
absences
31Inclement Weather
- Information on campus closure can be found on
KASU, ASU web page, local radio and TV stations - As ASU is 80 commuter students, you are
encouraged to work with students who miss class
during inclement weather when the campus is not
officially closed
32Miscellaneous
- Other than WN grading, faculty cannot officially
drop students from a class it is the
responsibility of the student - Students are strongly encouraged to make all
class changes by no later than the end of the
11th class day (Tuesday after Labor Day for fall
semester) - As of this fall, only students with documentable
extenuating circumstances will be allowed to add
classes after the 11th day (dont set a student
up for failure by encouraging late registration)
33Misc. continued
- Please use official departmental/college
stationary for correspondence to Registrar and
other non-departmental/college offices must be
signed and dated - Production of fraudulent documents is increasing
on campus do not be offended if you are
contacted for verification
34Rosters and Grading
- Class rosters may be printed at any time from
your Web for Faculty (WFF) account - All grading is done on-line via WFF
- The Registrars Office provides dates for
grading throughout the semester (also contact for
WFF information)
35Mid-term Grades
- Required for all freshman and sophomore level
students (note a 3000/4000 course may have
sophomore level students and will be noted on the
WFF roster) - Optional for junior, senior and graduate level
students (encouraged)
36Final Grades
- It is imperative that all final grades be
- recorded on time as indicated in the
- academic calendar by the Registrars Office
- reminders are placed on WFF
- Should there be extenuating circumstances with
WFF, additional time may be provided - Graduating senior grades must be provided by the
date/time specified before other grades are due
(graduating seniors will be identified on your
WFF rosters at the end of the term)
37I Grade of Incomplete
- Incompletes are used only for students with
extenuating circumstances occurring during the
last few weeks of the semester (never before
mid-term) - The faculty member and student must complete an
incomplete form downloadable from the
Registrars website secure appropriate
signatures and submit to the Registrar - All I grades automatically convert to an F if
not completed by the end of the next regular term
(importance of having student sign form)
38Military Duty
- Students called to active duty during a semester
may - Be assigned a final grade if the instructor feels
enough of the course has been completed - Withdraw at anytime during the semester without
penalty (will be granted free semester upon
return) - Should be referred to VA rep in Registrars
Office - I grades are not permitted
39Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins
- The ASU Bulletins are available on-line and may
be accessed from the Registrars webpage or the
Take me to menu located on the ASU home page
(www.astate.edu) - You may want to print those sections you use
regularly (general education, degree
requirements, etc.)