21st Century Syllabus

Rey Rosales suggests that developing a “21st Century Syllabus” will lead to greater student learning outcomes, provides a clear course roadmap for students, and delivers access to a broad range of online resources. Rosales notes that such a syllabus encourages enhanced collaborative learning opportunities and helps students identify and take ownership of their own paths to learning within a high-tech learning system.

To respond to some of the pedagogical demands of the 21st century, consider including the following practical ways into your syllabus:

• Open Courseware: offer alternatives to students regarding course textbooks and resources from courseware sites, open-access journals and online databases. List the readings and other course materials with live web links for easy access in your syllabus.
• Collaboration: mention avenues for collaborative learning, especially peer-to-peer learning through social media networks in the syllabus. Try using Twitter, Facebook, wikis or other collaborative tools.
• Blended Learning and Virtual Access: another important component is the idea of just-in-time access to materials – make materials available for download or purchase when students need them. Use a learning management system or website where materials (slides, lecture captures, digital files) are posted and can be accessed by students as needed. Indicate this alongside your contact details (online office hours, mobile device details, etc.) on the course syllabus.
• Learning Analytics: consider using a learning management system to chart and follow your students’ progress. Use that data to modify and adjust course content and presentation to help students learn the content more effectively. For a list of LMS visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_learning_management_systems
• Face Time: virtual face time with an expert can add variety to the learning experience in a way not possible with straight lecturing by the instructor or the teaching assistants. Consider incorporating interaction with an expert into the classroom experience. Set up Skype or any other video conferencing or online chat/discussion accounts eliminating the need for the expert to come to the classroom.
• DIY Learning: recognize, provide guidance and give credit to the ideas of do-it-yourself learning by asking students to watch software tutorials (Lynda.com, Khan Academy) and sharing ideas in a wiki, Twitter, or chat. This will foster collaboration that the instructor can guide without dominating. Reflect this method of learning in the classroom in the syllabus.

Rosales, R. (2011). The syllabus and a 21st century education. EDUCAUSE Review. Retrieved June 4, 2013 from http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/syllabus-and-21st-century-education