Presenting Your Course
The Well-Designed Syllabus
But first, a preface...
Application
Question
Explanation
Today’s Format
Questions
Is it usable?
Usability “measures how well a specific user in a specific context can use a product/design to achieve a defined goal effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily”
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Interaction Design Foundation. (n.d.) Usability. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/usability
Usability Applied
Usability Applied: Navigation, Error prevention
Usability Applied: Consistency
Usability Applied: Navigation
Usability Applied: Visual clarity
PAUSE
Is it inclusive?
An inclusive syllabus “incorporates specific language and strategies that are designed to foster a classroom environment that is welcoming and inclusive.” It also “includes policies and resources that help to ensure all students are supported in their learning” (Finley).
Finley, D. (2021, April 28). Inclusive Syllabus. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psychology-teacher-network/introductory-psychology/inclusive-syllabus
Inclusivity Applied
Language: Collective (I and we vs. “you”); Conveys sense of support and belief in students’ success, awareness of dominant norms and privilege, value of students’ experiences.
Strategies: Plain language (breaking down academic “lingo”), MS Word accessibility checker, schedule with deadlines for entire semester, grades valuing students’ labor, positioning of statements, relevant resources.
Policies/Statements: Flexible attendance, statement on classroom environment, diversity statement, mental health note, etc.
Inclusivity Applied: Language, Strategies
Inclusivity Applied: Language, Strategies
Inclusivity Applied: Strategies
Inclusivity Applied: Strategies
Inclusivity Applied: Statements
Inclusivity Applied: Statements
PAUSE
Is it inviting?
“Nusbaum, Swindelly, and Plemons (2021) examined impression formation and the syllabus. Students who received a syllabus with a more visual design rated a hypothetical professor as kinder and more approachable. Gurung and Galardi (2021) found that the tone of a syllabus that includes a statement about addressing mental health needs encouraged students to reach out” (Finley, 2021).
Is it inviting?
“Students who read the syllabus with the “warm” language rated the hypothetical instructor both more approachable and more motivated to teach the class (Harnish and Bridges 2011).”
Warm | Cold |
“I hope you actively participate in this course. I say this because I found it is the best way to engage you in learning the material (and it makes lectures more fun.)” | “Come prepared to actively participate in this course. This is the best way to engage you in learning the material (and it makes the lectures more interesting.)” |
Riveire, Jessica, Picard, Danielle, and Richard Coble. “Syllabus Design.” Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching, 2014, 31 October 2021.
Is it inviting?
Visual Design
Support
Warm Language
Participation
Inviting Applied
Inviting Applied: Warm language, images
Inviting Applied: Participation
PAUSE
Thank you!
Ellen Hostetter
Bill Lammers
Sharon Mason
Anthony McMullen
Sandie Nadelson