The Effective Online Course Syllabus
The Syllabus
The syllabus is the most valuable document in an online course and serves as the road map of the course. Going further, the syllabus is considered a contract between instructor and students and outlines the terms or conditions for interaction in the course (Ko & Rossen, 2017). The syllabus serves several purposes:
- Communicate course information to students
- List the learning outcomes or goals of the course
- Outline expected responsibilities and duties
- Provide information about the instructor, course identifying information, and course purpose/description
- List and describe assignments, learning objectives, and grading criteria
- Document course, department, college, and university policies
- and More.
Syllabus Elements
Course Information |
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Instructor Information |
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Communication Policy |
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Course Delivery Method |
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Course Content & Learning Objectives (Outcomes) |
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Online Learning Environment |
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Expectations/Responsibilities & Netiquette |
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Grading & Assignments |
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Course Outline or Schedule |
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Policies |
These policies are listed below. |
Online@JSU Information |
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The Student Success Center provides an integrated network of support and meets students where they are while empowering and supporting lifelong learning. The Student Success Center is located on the Ground (Basement) Floor, 1st floor, and 2nd floor of the Houston Cole Library and serves as your one-stop shop for student support and services. Services include tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic and career support, success coaching, reasonable accommodations, leadership development, and peer mentoring through our Academic Support and Success, Academic and Career Advising, Learning Services and Analytics, First and Second Year Experiences, Disability Resources, and Student-Athlete Development offices. To learn more about these services and supports and how to access them, visit https://www.jsu.edu/studentsuccess/index.html
Offices in the Student Success Center:
Campus Resources for Writing:
The Writing Center offers several free in-person and online services including writing and digital writing consultations, virtual presentation audiences, ESL conversation partners, and special-topics workshops for all JSU faculty, staff, and students. A team of undergraduate and graduate consultants are trained to assist with academic, personal, and professional writing. Appointments can be scheduled through the Navigate app. For more information, visithttps://www.jsu.edu/english/jsuwrites/index.htmlWelcome to the RMC/JSU Health Center at Jacksonville State University. We are located at 1701 Pelham Rd South. The RMC/JSU Health Center is a primary healthcare facility operated via a joint partnership with Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center (RMC). With no co-pay, we provide outpatient medical services as well as promote preventive health measures to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff. Appointments are recommended and walk-ins are welcome as long as schedule permits.
If you should have an urgent need during hours when the Health Center is closed, you should dial 911 or contact the University Police Department. (UPD) at (256) 782-5050.
Self Help & Various Support Resources
Local Help From Online@JSU - Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time; online@jsu.edu or (256) 782-8172
Canvas Support Team - 24/7 help and support resources available inside the Canvas LMS in the global navigation Help menu (Live Chat, Web Form, Self-Help Guides, and Phone - 877-404-2235)
Help With JSU eMail, MyJaxState, etc.- Technology Support Center; (256) 782-8324 or techcenter@jsu.edu
Facebook - Stay connected with Announcements, Tips, and Suggestions.
For the best course experience within Canvas and other technology, you need to have access to a minimum amount of technology. Each system has certain requirements. Additionally, your specific course may have further technology requirements. Check with your instructor for course-specific needs.
- Basic General Technical Requirements
- Canvas System Requirements
- Canvas Studio Specifications
- Honorlock Online Proctoring (scroll down to Minimum Requirements section)
- Turnitin Feedback Studio
Student information is treated securely and privacy protected by the use of security protocols when transmitting data. Privacy issues are addressed in the Jacksonville State University Undergraduate Catalog, in the Privacy Rights of Students section , the Graduate Studies Bulletin, in the Privacy Rights of Students section, and on the FERPA Information page.
Additional security-related information can be found in the JSU IT & Security Policies.
- JSU Academic Calendar
- Course Registration
- Student Affairs
- Graduate Studies
- Student Success Center
- International House & Programs
- Online@JSU Support (Canvas/Canvas Studio/Honorlock/Turnitin)
- Technical Support(Email Login/Office 365/MyJSU)
- MyJaxState
- Houston Cole Library
- The Writing Center
- Counseling Services
- Office of Title IX
- Military-Connected Students
- Campus Life
Resources
References
Angelo State University. (2022). Section 2.2: Create an Effective Online Syllabus. Retrieved on May 26, 2022. https://www.angelo.edu/faculty-and-staff/instructional-design/online-teaching/section_22.php
Ko, Susan & Rossen, S. (2017). Creating an Effective Online Syllabus, in Teaching Online: A Practical Guide, 4th Edition. Retrieved on May 26, 2022. https://static.routledge.com/9780415832434/9780415832434_teaching_ch05_wm.pdf