COURSE SETUP & STRUCTURE
Creating a Syllabus
Learners in an online learning environment rely heavily on the course syllabus to understand what expectations you have of them for their engagement and successful completion of the course. A comprehensive, well-designed syllabus includes the course objectives, grading scale, semester course schedule, and clear expectations for remote participation. To help you adapt your syllabus for an online or blended course, review the tips below and download this checklist from the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning in Engineering (CRLT-Engin).
Core Components of a Well-Designed Syllabus
= notable or unique to hybrid/online courses
- Basic information: Include the course name and number, your name, contact information, and instructional support staff information.
- Preferred contact method: In an online or blended course, it’s especially important to indicate your preferred method(s) of communication (e.g., email, phone, office hours) and best times to reach you and/or your instructional team.
- Remote office hour instructions: Be sure to include your information about your remote office hours, including the platform, how to join online, and how to schedule 1:1 appointments.
- Materials and minimum technical requirements: Communicate minimum technical requirements to your learners, including minimum computer requirements. Also include information about any required software, texts, readings, or other course materials, and where learners can acquire them.
- Technical support: For online learners, technical support can be critical. Be sure to include a clear description of the support offered and how to obtain it.
- Honor Code statement: Include an Honor Code statement describing the nature of allowed or disallowed collaboration in the course. To view a sample statement, refer to docs below:
- FERPA compliant recording notice: If you are using recorded material, it is important to review the FERPA requirements and include a statement about recording class sessions in your syllabus.
- Course description & learning objectives: Clearly articulate the knowledge and skills learners will gain, and why the course is important. If possible, consider providing a short description or set of objectives for each section of the course and explain why the course is organized as it is. Also be sure to highlight any prerequisites.
- Course schedule: Clearly outline the course schedule and topic outline, including live/synchronous meeting dates, assigned reading, assignment and assessment deadlines, and any additional information learners will need to prepare for each section.
- Expectations for participation: In online and blended courses, it’s especially important to include a schedule of assignments that includes clear synchronous vs. asynchronous participation expectations.
- Grading policy: Include a clear statement outlining your assessment process and measurements.
- University policies: Include required statements on University policies such as:
- Wellness and support services: Add information about U-M wellness and support services:
Best Practices for Online or Blended Course Syllabus
- Add direct links: Consider adding direct links to your syllabus for learners to ask questions (e.g., via email or Canvas discussion) regarding course instructions, administrative support, and technical support.
- Plan for additional content: Plan for when course components will be added or made available as the course progresses (e.g., content, recordings, assignments of learners’ groups). Consider adding this information to your syllabus.
- Using a template: To streamline the process, consider using a standard syllabus template as a framework (see below for sample).
- Make it printable: Create a printable version of your syllabus for learners who prefer to reference a hard copy to navigate the course.
- Use learner-centered language: To address learners directly and make your syllabus more engaging, consider using first-person language (e.g. “at the end of this course, you will understand how to…”).
- Include a section on how to succeed: Consider including suggestions on how learners can succeed in your course, such as time management recommendations, estimated time to spend on assignments/activities, and a statement encouraging them to ask questions.
FERPA Compliant Recording Notice
With the increase in online courses, it is an important time to review the FERPA requirements around the re-use of recordings. Recordings of class activities in which learners are seen or heard are considered educational records that fall under FERPA requirements. If you are using recorded material for the course and term in which it was recorded, there is no real concern, as long as you include a statement about recording class sessions in your syllabus.