Students need clues on what to expect from the Teacher.  Teachers need to tell the Students what is expected for success in their course.  What’s the plan, the syllabus, the calendar or end-goal of the educational interaction?

The course schedule is a skeleton on which the course and student expectations are built.  If the Teacher provides a syllabus or course outline, the student has the equivalent of a map for the journey.  Expectations and directions are shared and the student-teacher team develops.

Students:  USE this information wisely.  Start now to anticipate what you must do to succeed in this course by knowing what comes ahead.  If you were traveling across the country in a car, you would better prepare yourself by looking at a map or gazetter to know the best highways, straightest and shortest routes and see where mountains or waterways might interupt your directions.  The syllabus and course calendar is just such a map.  If you want to be your best in the task of completing a course, study this map first and plan accordingly.

Teachers:  Direct your students with more than breadcrumbs to lead the way.  Show some method to the madness of education.  Start with a simple but accurate and complete plan, calendar and preview of what is to come.  What do you want the student to take away from your class daily or at the completion of the course that is worth the time and effort of the journey?

The Challenge for Teachers – Give the Students a Big Picture view before the class is underway, with a map and expectations for a successful journey.

The Challenge for Students – Figure it out anyway if you are not spoonfed.  Ask questions to determine expectations and know what the goals for successful completion will be.  Anticipate and become your own best teacher as you go through the course.  If you teach yourself and prepare what you can as if you had to teach someone else, you will be as successful as you can possibly be for this course.  Good luck.