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Death to the syllabus

A course outline or syllabus is a staple in college and university courses. It serves as a central document to direct instructional activities. An interesting perspective on the role it plays in courses today: Death to the syllabus “The implicit message of the modern course syllabus is that the student will not do anything unless bribed by grades or forced by threats.”

2 Comments

  1. You might be interested to read what a series of experts in Europe have to say about the curriculum and the organisation of lesson times and places in a study about future changes in education related to the use of technology.

    “Innovation and ICT enabling changes in education”
    http://www.connected.org/learn/innovation.html

    Alan.

    Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 3:07 am | Permalink
  2. The Manitoba government is currently considering doing away with grades for students at grades K – 8 and assessing them simply as: below level, approaching and at level on a series of outcomes and larger skills. I’m with you; I believe that grades are a motivating factor for a small percentage of the population and making a move such as this will allow us to significantly alter our teaching to focus much more on actual learning and get away from grades.

    Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 8:59 am | Permalink