Teacher/Student Learning Contract
- Both teachers and students have the right to expect
respectful classroom etiquette, fostering constructive discussions and understanding of diverse
perspectives.
- When teachers and students both embrace human rights and
responsibilities, mutual respect and understanding can ensue.
- Enhanced listening skills can foster a productive and respectful learning environment.
In terms of a relationship with a professor or teacher, what are a student's
rights?
Students have a right to expect . . .
- Students have a right to expect that, on the first day of class, I will hand them a course syllabus which clearly states the
following:
- Course objectives
("What are we trying to learn in here?")
- Assignment descriptions ("What do I have to do to pass?")
- Specific due dates ("When do I have to have it done?")
- Grading policies ("How will I be graded?") [
course syllabi
]
- Students have a right to expect class sessions will start on time and end on time.
- Students have a right to expect opportunities to discuss course components (assignments, lectures, presentations, exams) outside of
class time
- Students have a right to expect constructive feedback on drafts of papers submitted for me to
review (if those drafts are submitted well in advance of due dates) [ writing help ]
- Students have a right to expect that papers will be graded and returned within two weeks
(provided they were turned in on time)
- Students have a right to expect re-evaluations of work that they think may have been graded
unfairly or improperly.
The teacher's rights: As a professor, I have the right to expect that students will:
- I have the right to expect that students will arrive in class on time and prepared
- I have the right to expect that students will stay engaged for the
entire class period
- I have the right to expect that students needing clarification or assistance will ask for it
- I have the right to expect that students will turn in assignments on time
- I have the right to expect that students will immediately inform me when extenuating
circumstances affect his/her attendance [ see syllabi for
attendance policies]
- I have the right to expect that students will share concerns about the class in time for
mid-course adjustments to be made
- I have the right to expect that students will follow SNU's code
of
academic integrity
Human rights and responsibilities of both teacher and student
Classroom etiquette: Our mutual expectations for each other
- We will listen to each other respectfully
- We will not speak while others are talking
- When we disagree with someone, we will critique that person's ideas in a respectful and
constructive manner
- When other people's perspectives are different from ours, we will try to understand them
rather than simply criticize them
- We will avoid stereotypes and humor that disparage people.
- We will intervene politely when class members are being disrespectful or unfair to
others
Don't you hate boring lectures?
| Let's get started improving grades by
learning how to listen to lectures . . . even the boring ones. [ more
] |
-- Howard Culbertson.
Afterword
Teacher/student contracts can hold significant value in educational settings for several
reasons:
- Clarifying Expectations: Contracts outline the
expectations and responsibilities of both the teacher and the student. This clarity can help prevent
misunderstandings and disputes later on.
- Accountability: Contracts can serve as a tool for
holding both parties accountable for their roles in the educational process. Teachers are
accountable for providing quality instruction, support, and feedback, while students are
accountable for their effort, participation, and adherence to classroom rules.
- Goal Setting and Monitoring Progress: Contracts
often include specific goals or objectives that both the teacher and the student agree to work
toward. This goal-setting process can help students understand what is expected of them and can
motivate them to achieve success. Additionally, regular progress monitoring can help track
students' development and identify areas where additional support may be needed.
- Ownership and Empowerment: Involving students in
the contract negotiation process can empower them to take ownership of their learning journey.
When students have a say in setting goals and expectations, they are more likely to be invested in
achieving them.
- Building Relationships: Collaboratively developing a
contract can help build positive relationships between teachers and students. It demonstrates that
both parties are invested in each other's success and can foster a sense of trust and respect in the
classroom.
In short, teacher/student contracts can serve as a valuable tool for fostering a positive and
productive learning environment by promoting clarity, accountability, goal-setting, empowerment,
and relationship-building.
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