SYLLABUS

Save time during your first class for learning by walking your students through your course syllabus in a video they can view in eClass before the first day of class.

Going through the syllabus is a necessary task at the beginning of every new semester, but often this takes up a good portion of the first class period—valuable time that could be spent learning. Instead, it may be helpful to create a video that explains your syllabus. Extra perks: Your students can watch it as many times as they need to. You can be certain that everyone hears the same message, even those who add the class later. And you can jump right into more engaging academic content on the first day. 

How do I get started? 
Once you've finalized your course syllabus, create a video on Panopto to upload to your eClass course: 

1. Identify a quiet space with minimal background noise for the recording session.

2. Open up your course syllabus document.

3. Use the crosshairs in either Panopto (or Camtasia) to select the top portion of your syllabus. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to scroll down to the rest of the syllabus when you need to.

4. Click on the blue camcorder icon or the red Record button and then talk through your syllabus, as if your students are in the room in front of you.

5. When you’re finished, press the square Stop button, and then save your video.

6. Trim out anything that you don’t want, then share your video by uploading it to eClass. You may find it helpful to create an "orientation" module, especially if you plan to upload additional materials or a quiz alongside the syllabus. 

Tips: You can add your webcam, so students can see your face as you walk them through the syllabus. You can emphasize syllabus areas by using your cursor to point to exact parts as you go through the syllabus. And if you want to confirm your students watched your syllabus introduction, create and assign a brief eClass quiz covering specific points mentioned in your video. 

Here are some tips to help you plan and to facilitate a successful first day of class. 

Create an Inviting Classroom

Introduce yourself, talk about where you are from, you family, education, your teaching experience, etc. Be personable! This gives students some background information about you and allows students to identify with their professor's intellectual journey, triumphs, frustration, and failures, encouraging students to be similarly reflective and candid.

From the chapter "How Do They Treat Their Students" in Ken Bain's What The Best College Teachers Do (Harvard Press, 2004)

Establish Guidelines for Success in Your Class

Explain what you expect students to understand at the end the course. Let your students know what aid you will be giving them (ex. study guides, handouts, etc.)
       - Do they need to bring their textbooks to class? 

Inform them on the best way to communicate with you.
       - What are your office hours?
       - What times are you available by phone, email, and/or text?

Provide your students with enough information so they can plan accordingly.

Discuss Course Expectations and Requirements

Explain what is expected of your students in and outside of the classroom. Make students aware of policies on absences, make-up work, emergencies, grading system, technology use, etc.
       - What is your policy for quizzes and tests?
       - Is attendance and participation required?
       - Are laptops/iPads permitted for notetaking? 

Give your students an idea of what they will need to prepare for the course outside of class.
       - How much time (on average) should they dedicate for this class?

Explain the use of eClass and how to locate it.
       - Are there online assignments to be turned in?
       - When are they due?
       - Will their work be checked for plagiarism or AI use, and through what means?