Toward an Interactive Syllabus

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Toward an Interactive Syllabus
Nathan LoveJune 12, 2004
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Introduction

• Whats wrong with a paper syllabus? Why bother?
  Can the interactive syllabus . . .
• engage / stimulate students?
• be easily updated?
• become dynamic?
• provide practice and guidance out of the
  classroom, between class meetings?

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Student feedback

• On a midterm evaluation given in French 101 and
  out of 43 responses . . .
• 37 indicated that the use of computer exercises
  is very helpful.
• 1 found that the use of computer exercises is
  not very helpful.
• 5 observed that they are indifferent to the
  use of computer exercises.
• 20 completed the statement, What I like best is
  . . . with a reference to computer resources on
  line.

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Links Anchors on Syllabus

• F101 Elementary French
• menu bar at top of syllabus (integration with
  other elements of Web site)
• body before schedule statement on teaching
• body before schedule additional resources
• on schedule proper various links

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Linked Objects and Their Formats

• Word document (.doc) amplification
• HTML document (.html) calendrier
• PDF document (.pdf) history
• PowerPoint (.ppt) versification
• graphic (.gif / .jpg) phonetic alphabet
• sound video files Marseillaise PPT

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Range of links / Anchors

• F101 Elementary French
• Syllabus connected to other documents within my
  Web site (e.g., Worksheets)
• Syllabus connected to Internet documents or
  entire Web sites (e.g., womens clothes)
• One such document can be interactive itself!
  PowerPoint with choices

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Examples

• F331 Business French
• project examples rubric can appear immediately
  from syllabus
• worksheets are embedded in syllabus
• sound files are embedded in worksheets
• documents layered so that one link leads to a
  document/object which, in turn, has links of its
  own connecting to other documents/objects

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More Examples

• F426 20th Century French Literature
• variety of links, including readings and
  questions over readings format of final exam and
  review for final exam
• F325 Survey of French Literature I
• terminologie esquisse de la littérature
  française

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What next if this is only toward an interactive
syllabus?

• worksheets, assignments that can be completed and
  submitted on line w/o printing
• capability for students to record voice and
  submit results
• more interactivity with links to games and
  exercises like a program by Thierry Perrot
• to remember

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