The Syllabus Episode | More Than You Ever Wanted to Hear

TAPP Radio Episode 24

The Syllabus Episode | BONUS

Quick Take

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There is a peculiar aesthetic pleasure in constructing the form of a syllabus, or a book of essays, or a course of lectures. Visions and shadows of people and ideas can be arranged and rearranged like stained-glass pieces in a window, or chessmen on a board. (A. S. Byatt)

1 | Introduction

2 minutes

woman leaning forward It’s a BONUS episode, meaning that you get bonus minutes, meaning that it’s a really, really long episode!

How eccentric do you think Kevin is? Other listeners want to know! Really.
- 1-833-LION-DEN or 1-833-546-6336
- podcast@theAPprofessor.org

2 | Do Students Read the Syllabus?

8 minutes

Do students read the syllabus? Maybe half? It’s the other half who drive us nuts. Wait! do we always read the directions before asking questions?

What is a syllabus? It can be different things, right? Why do administrators seem to love the syllabus so much?

Recommended Twitter feed: @ReadTheSyllabus
Please share the first tweet in my Twitter feed: @theAPprofessor.org
That “empathy thing” I’m always harping on: Caring for Students Helps Them Succeed
Is it syllabuses or syllabi? The answer is in a previous episode: 49 MORE Tricks for Retention & Success in Online Courses

3 | Reading & Raiding the Syllabus

14.5 minutes

Some general considerations when designing a syllabus include make sure that students can both read the syllabus through, and raid the syllabus for key information when they need it. The key is simplicity and logic in syllabus design.

READ and RAID your textbook (a link for students; explains the “read & raid principle” as applied to textbooks
Storytelling is the Heart of Teaching A&P (the episode where I explain storytelling as a teaching technique)
Utilize Clear Language (my take on simpler language to reach students)
Temple Grandin, animal science professor and autism spokesperson; someone who “gets it” that we have to try to put our head inside their heads
- Recommended book: Animals in Translation
- Recommended video: Temple Grandin (the film starring Claire Danes)

4 | First Day Activities

18.5 minutes

lecture hall

Is it just “here’s the syllabus; see ya next class”—or is it an engaged look at important syllabus elements? The first day of class is key to starting things off on a good foot. What I learned from Krista, Michael, and Richard—and my own sideways twist on those first steps. What about a syllabus quiz? Is that a good or bad idea?

Krista Rompolski PhD @KristaRompolski
Recommended teacher gear: Leather index card wallet or Index card wallet
Engaging Students on the First Day of Class (my first-day syllabus activity; adapted from Michael Glasgow & Richard Faircloth; click through to download copies of my handouts)
First Impressions: Activities for the First Day of Class (article from Faculty Focus)
Why be honest? (about academic integrity)
Student Understanding
- This is what I use for my Pre-A&P course, a self-paced onine refresher course
- My web-enhanced on-campus courses use a similar list
- The online quiz turns each item into a multichoice “I understand” or “I do not understand” test item
  - A perfect score unlocks the next item in the LMS, thus making this a necessary gateway to access course activities
Test Zero
- Reviews prior content and syllabus contents
- Start A&P 2 with a Final Exam (explains my Test Zero for A&P 2)
- Teaching For Long-Term Learning (episode in which I explain my Test Zero approach)

5 | Basic Elements of a Syllabus

who needs a syllabus?

13.5 minutes

What exactly goes into a syllabus? Who decides? What are the essentials? This isn’t comprehensive, but it gets you

How to Write a Syllabus (a great online guide from Cult of Pedagogy)
HAPS Learning Outcomes – Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS membership is required to access them)
Anatomy Core Syllabi (from the Anatomical Society; different flavors [undergrad med, nursing, pharmacy] membership not required to access them)
LifeSciTRC Syllabus Resources (free samples of A&P syllabi & related resources)

6 | More Things to Put in a Syllabus

12 minutes

Frank O’Neill recommends video walk-throughs, which have the added benefit of letting students know that you really do care about them. Consider also a table contents, abstract/summary, and/or index if the syllabus is long. How about a disclaimer, some playful tidbits, and links to external resources. And make sure your supervisors know what’s in your syllabus!

Frank O’Neill @growgraymatter
7 Ways Video Can Enhance the Student Experience (video of Frank’s live presentation, in which he addresses how to use a video walk-through of an A&P syllabus to give students a good first impression)
Cumulative Testing Makes Learning Last (episode in which I discuss brief video walkthrough; click through for a link to more resources)
Professors Are from Mars®, Students Are from Snickers®: How to Write and Deliver Humor in the Classroom and in Professional Presentations (recommended book)
Playful & Serious Is the Perfect Combo for A&P (previous episode explaining the value of playfulness in the A&P course)

7 | Links to Other Resources

8.5 minutes

Consider putting hyperlinks or URLs in the syllabus to take students to other resources. Consider linking to a FAQ page, wher you explain your rationals for doing things the way that you do them in your course.

Additional links you may find useful
- Syllabus Resources for A&P (from the TAPP blog)
- Help Your A&P Students Get Off to a Good Start (from the TAPP blog)
- Academic integrity in A&P (from the TAPP blog)
Some links that your students may find helpful:
- The A&P Student (Kevin’s blog for A&P students; rich source of advice you can give your students; theAPstudent.org)
- Lion Den (Kevin’s website with all kinds of study skills tips and resources for A&P students; LionDen.com)
- Medical Science Navigator (Margaret Thompson Reece’s website for helping A&P students; she offers mini-courses!)
- Getting a Good Start in your Anatomy & Physiology Course
- Why be honest? (about academic integrity)
- Why deadlines are important
- Is spelling important?
- Help significant others help you (getting busy students—especially returning learners—off to a great start)
- Get Your Head in the Game – 5 Tips for Success in Learning (metacognition for A&P students)
- 9 Proven Tricks for Reducing Test Anxiety (for A&P students)