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Distance Education Syllabus

Ten Simple Steps to Creating an Online Syllabus

1. Humanize the course by placing a faculty picture and bio on the syllabus web page:

Contact Information:

facultyname@school.edu
facultyname@yahoo.com

Phone: 903-877-7510
Fax: 903.877.7430
Available by appointment

Office: Room 102
Center for Education and Technology

Mailing Address:
11937 US Hwy 271
Tyler TX 75708-3154

Office Hours: T W 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Online Hours: H S 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Offline Sunday

2. Define the instructor's role by posting:

Office hours -- traditional and online hours
When you will have assignments graded; whether you'll email or post test grades
When students can expect your feedback
Your role (facilitator, mediator, or participant) in class discussions
All your contact information, including an alternate email address in case the school's network is unavailable. Don't have an alternate email? Find one at the Free Email Address Directory

Use one of these alternate email accounts to register for free software downloads or at free web hosting sites -- they're often 'free' because they sell your email address to advertisers. Using an alternate email account will keep your primary account from being spammed
You can include a brief statement of your teaching philosophy to let students know what you expect

3. Define the course ground rules by providing the following information:

How to post to the class discussions, email listservs, or chats
Define your limits on social chit chat: no non-course related postings to the group, no forwards of ‘virus warnings,’ etc.
How students should handle turning in assignments - email, snail mail, fax, or by other means
Where and how (remote library access, email, snail mail, fax) students will get readings, assignments or other course materials not available online - also provide a link to the library homepage
Spell out in detail all your policies on late assignments, make-up tests, technological difficulties, illnesses, plagiarism, netiquette, flaming, and racist, sexist or otherwise offensive language use in class discussions or email to other students, and so on
When, how and where students can get technical support

4. Set clear and achievable expectations for your students. Keep in mind that you will not be able to cover every item on your traditional course syllabus in a distance learning environment. This does not mean that online or ITV students are getting a watered-down version of your course; you are simply distilling the essence of the course into a manageable amount.

When possible, indicate the length of time an assignment should take to complete
Communicate high expectations and positive expectations of success

5. Set clear objectives that can be observed and assessed (using Bloom’s Taxonomy, for example)

In setting objectives, determine what skills, knowledge, and attitudes you are trying to develop
Don’t say: Student will be able to understand ethical issues. Do say: Student will be able to list and define four ethical theories and give examples of each.

6. Group and sequence objectives according to:

Recall of information
- Knowledge and comprehension
- Develop knowledge and make sure it’s understood
Understanding
- Application and analysis
- Apply the knowledge and skills to a variety of situations
Problem Solving
- Synthesis and evaluation

7. Specify the criteria by which students can assess their own progress. State clear objectives up front to aid students in becoming more self-directed learners, e.g.

"Using a standard hammer, students will be able to drive three 3-inch nails into a 2 X 4 section of wood in less than 30 minutes"
Use the links on the Quizzes page to create your own FREE interactive self-assessments for your students. This is a fun way to personalize your class and help students assess their progress.
Build in self-assessment tools that include explanations of why answers are right or wrong

8. Provide clear and well-organized assignments and deadlines

Use a logical order to sequence course assignments
Specify learning objectives for each topic
Directions for assignments should state:
- the task the student is expected to perform
- why they are performing the task (why the task is relevant or useful to the student)
- a detailed explanation of how the assignment will be evaluated
- a clearly stated deadline for completion that is not open to interpretation

9. Use icons or other graphics and animations to highlight important activities (due dates, exams) or changes in the syllabus; for example:

Research Papers Due December 8th 6 p.m.

Addition to Reading Assignment

10. PROOFREAD your syllabus before you post it online. Your syllabus represents you and your school. Misspellings, typos and grammatical errors diminish the credibility of the course, you, and your institution.

Apply what you've learned so far -- take your existing course syllabus and begin to convert it into an online syllabus. Compose a draft of how you'd like it to look, being sure to include a picture of yourself, a brief bio, email addresses, and other contact information.

Don't know how to make a web page? Contact your school's tech support for assistance, or search for a free web host that offers a fill-in-the blank template. Just want to start by making a personal web page? Click on the compass for the free template at Homemaker Online.

Compose offline, then cut and paste your text into the free template.

Explore further:
Designing the Sequence of Instruction

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The Northeast Texas Network Consortium Coordinating Office / 11937 Hwy 155 at Hwy 271 / Tyler, TX 75708
phone (903) 877-7510 / fax (903) 877-7430