Meeting #2 Open - Math What is the Syllabus about? by Aris Winger

Syllabi are generally so dry and legalistic that I don't blame students for not reading them closely (if at all)

2025-08-22 19:12:38 UTC

Too Long

2025-08-22 19:12:54 UTC

But probably needs to be...

Grades

christophermcclain1 — 2025-08-22 19:12:56 UTC

I think that the primary (sometimes only) thing that students look for in the syllabus is how their grade will be determined.

Necessary but boring

manisharanade — 2025-08-22 19:12:56 UTC

When are the tests?

I think....

2025-08-22 19:12:59 UTC

I think the syllabus serves as a written record of what the course policies are.

Boring, too long, and only worth reading when they have a question

2025-08-22 19:13:02 UTC

Social contract

2025-08-22 19:13:07 UTC

The syllabus is historically a contract between instructor and students. It is an opportunity to let students know how the class will go, and what our specific beliefs and norms are.

2025-08-22 19:13:15 UTC

btyree2 — 2025-08-22 19:13:26 UTC

Have they gotten too long so the important stuff gets lost and they dont really read it anyway

tl;dr

2025-08-22 19:13:32 UTC

2025-08-22 19:13:40 UTC

students think the syllabus is too long and a waste of paper

I have been in student focus groups where students shared that they seldom read all aspects of a syllabus, especially the lengthy ones. Most of them say that they review the LMS to see how their assignments are weighted and graded. Dealines are another important aspect for students.

2025-08-22 19:13:41 UTC

Long and maybe specifies how grades are computed...

2025-08-22 19:13:48 UTC

NOT a (legal) contract

2025-08-22 19:14:10 UTC

btyree2 — 2025-08-22 19:14:19 UTC

They want to know how the grades are assigned.

How to compute their final grade

2025-08-22 19:14:27 UTC

Plus (ideally) all of the resources I include on it.

Info

manisharanade — 2025-08-22 19:14:44 UTC

office hours, grading categories, policies from college, content or course schedule, useful when lesson planning

What the class is about (?) and how they might pass (?)

2025-08-22 19:14:44 UTC

Yes, i do not understand why thishas to be bulky and we are still being asked to do this in the old fashioned way

2025-08-22 19:14:47 UTC

What the important dates are (add/drop, final exam, breaks, etc)

2025-08-22 19:15:02 UTC

Pathways and Resources

christophermcclain1 — 2025-08-22 19:15:04 UTC

I want the students to see a map to success in learning, and to become familiar with the resources that help them do this.

2025-08-22 19:15:06 UTC

how their grades will be computed and what will be required

What we believe in and what it would take for them to be successful

2025-08-22 19:15:13 UTC

Supported, validated, and ready to go.

2025-08-22 19:15:31 UTC

2025-08-22 19:15:38 UTC

Grades, deadlines, and policies... if they read them.

btyree2 — 2025-08-22 19:15:46 UTC

How to be successful, that I have high expectations, but that there is grace

Useful structure

christophermcclain1 — 2025-08-22 19:15:47 UTC

There are practices in place with a valuable goal in mind.

2025-08-22 19:16:01 UTC

I want them to at least recognize that it's a resource for information they might need to look for in the future

Learning goals

manisharanade — 2025-08-22 19:16:03 UTC

What is needed to succeed (materials, help), also timeline

What else?

2025-08-22 19:16:11 UTC

Give a syllabus quiz?

2025-08-22 19:16:30 UTC

I care about them, I believe they'll be successful, and I'm a real human

A more dynamic, student-centered syllabus.

2025-08-22 19:16:35 UTC

Inspired

manisharanade — 2025-08-22 19:17:09 UTC

I can do this