E-Learning - The Syllabus As a Guiding Document For an E-Learning Course

Instructors leading an online learning course shoulddetail all course textbook information along with
use a "one-stop shop" approach for studentsany supplemental information students will need to
when it comes to having a place or method foracquire for the course.
students to find pertinent course information. TheAttendance and participation requirements should
best central location for this type of information isbe spelled out in the syllabus. If the course is a
the course syllabus and this document shouldhybrid course, attendance and participation
become the guiding document for the course.requirements may need further specifications to
Defining an E-Learning Course Syllabuslet students know how online assignments and
A syllabus for an e-learning course should beactivities will be handled compared to face-to-face
more than just a repository for coursesessions.
information. Certainly essential course informationDeadlines and deliverables are important parts of
should be included in a syllabus but there arethe syllabus not to ignored. Having a place in your
over-arching concepts that should bee-learning course that describes the deliverables of
communicated in a syllabus. For instance, thethe course, including projects and written
syllabus should also be a contract between theassignments, is essential. Deadlines are another
instructor and the students, detailing theimportant element. Some e-learning faculty use a
expectations not only for the students in termscalendar approach listing important deadlines in an
of what is required in the course for mastery ofonline calendar while other faculty just use a basic
the subject matter, but also informing thelist of deadlines.
students what the instructor will do. That couldGrading and academic integrity policies should be
mean how quickly the instructor will respond tospelled out in the e-learning course syllabus.
questions or the turnaround time for gradedInstructors need to be upfront with their
work.e-learning course grading scale. Policies for late
Specifically for an e-learning course, the syllabusassignments should be evident. Also included
should include information about the technicalshould be a clear statement about academic
requirements. It should include specifics aboutintegrity policies. With e-learning there are
what sort of internet connection the students willsometimes more chances for problems in this
need and also provide contact information forarea, so spelling out a definite policy is crucial.
technical support.Instructors should design their course syllabus in
Elements of an E-Learning Syllabussuch a format that it becomes easily portable and
Elements of an e-learning course syllabus are notprintable. Students may have times when they
much different from a typical syllabus for aare off-line and they want to make an
face-to-face course. Instructors should welcomeassessment of their progress or evaluate the
the students to the course and tell the studentscourse requirements. Instructors subscribing to
about their background and experience. Thethe policy of providing students a detailed and
e-learning syllabus should also include a coursespecific syllabus are getting their e-learning course
description, including course objectives, and shouldoff to a quality start.