Kerrie's Reading Notes 1

While completing the reading assignments, I found the most interesting topics to me were mainly in Tools for Teaching Chapter 2: The Comprehensive Course Syllabus. Davis stated more than once that the course schedule may be flexible, but exam dates and assignment deadlines should not change (Davis, 2009). I had experience with this in my undergraduate courses. One professor would change the exam dates often and would only tell us about a week before. Although sometimes it was in our favor because exam dates would be moved back, I feel this makes it difficult for students to plan. I personally am one who likes to follow a schedule. I put all exam dates in my planner right away when I receive a syllabus for each class. I agree with Davis's statement on this issue. Having a flexible schedule for course topics is important. Depending on the students, they may need to spend more or less time on a certain topic. Regardless of how far the class is on the topics to be covered, the exams should be given on the stated dates.

Davis also mentioned, "Some instructors (DiClementi and Handelsman, 2005) let the class as a whole generate rules and strategies for managing rule violations around such issues as eating in class, sleeping in class, using cell phones, and the like" (25). I am curious if anyone has tried this before. My opinion on this is uncertain. I feel students may be more apt to follow rules if they develop them because it will be something they strongly believe. On the other hand, I feel the instructor is giving up some of their authority.

Another topic that was of interest to me is when Davis suggests giving copies of past exams, model papers, or projects (Davis, 2009). I am not sure if I agree with this. Although I am a student who likes to have an example to work off of, I do not feel college students need copies of past exams and assignments. College is a time when students should start taking responsibility and being independent. If all the students are following examples, papers and projects will be very similar between students. I feel the instructors should instead write detailed assignment sheets so that the students who read the directions carefully will not need an example.

As we discussed in class last week, it can be difficult to assess which students are learning the material. Lang states, "I would recommend including some level of weekly assignment that will ensure that students are keeping up with the assigned reading, and that will help you gauge their understanding of that reading" (13). Along with this being a way to assess students understanding, this is also a way to keep students from falling behind in class. Lang mentions that using writing exercises may be a good option for this (Lang, 2008). I feel minute papers that we discussed would be a good way to assess students' understanding on a weekly basis. I would like to discuss other ideas on this topic in class.