Authored/Posted by: Erik Flinn
This will be the briefest section of this guide. It is impossible to know the specific needs of every field, of every institution, of every department, of every class and of every student. The research this project is based on attempted to capture the most valuable uses of a syllabus but never pretended that it had caught them all. Instead of striving for perfection in a single document, it is far more important to accent and encourage flexibility and change. Almost certainly one of the best things you can do to help improve your syllabi, is simply ask the esteemed colleagues you have around you. All of whom also write syllabi and presumably have other approaches from you.
Sharing Practices with one another:
Apart from your own practices. What are other members of your department/institution doing in their classes? Where have they found success and does that align with your own teaching philosophy/core values?
Sharing common resources:
Ask around. What resources does your institution offer its students and ask your students what they need. For example, some institutions offer: Tutoring Centers, Writing Centers, Tech Desks, library access, wellness centers, career services, guidance counseling, gyms, computer labs, mental health support, emergency financial assistance, etc.
Recurring discussions about success/failure
Failing is a part of learning. Destigmatizing this essential process is key to achieving success. If we cannot accept our own failures, how can we encourage students to accept theirs and develop? We should reflect with our peers/students/etc. on what has worked, what hasn’t. Be open and meaningfully consider the feedback that is readily available should you ask.
Most importantly: Just Ask.