Instructor and Course Perceptions Impacted by Syllabus Characteristics (Skills, Graphics)
Conference Tracks
Learning Theories and Pedagogy – Research
Abstract
Does the syllabus alone impact students’ initial perceptions of teacher and course? An 2x2x2 between subjects, experimental study of 449 college undergraduates reading a hypothetical statistics syllabi determined that syllabi graphics resulted in more positive perceptions of the teacher’s caring and overall perceptions of the course. Including a skills-based syllabus section led to more positive perceptions of the course. Syllabus length had no impact on course and instructor perceptions, and none of the predictors increased ratings of the teacher overall or their competence. Results suggest a skills-based emphasis and catching students’ attention could be beneficial for creating positive first impressions.
Session Format
Presentation
1
Publication Type and Release Option
Image (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Wickline, Virginia (Ginger) B. and Appleby, Drew, "Instructor and Course Perceptions Impacted by Syllabus Characteristics (Skills, Graphics)" (2022). SoTL Commons Conference. 28.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2022/28
Instructor and Course Perceptions Impacted by Syllabus Characteristics (Skills, Graphics)
Does the syllabus alone impact students’ initial perceptions of teacher and course? An 2x2x2 between subjects, experimental study of 449 college undergraduates reading a hypothetical statistics syllabi determined that syllabi graphics resulted in more positive perceptions of the teacher’s caring and overall perceptions of the course. Including a skills-based syllabus section led to more positive perceptions of the course. Syllabus length had no impact on course and instructor perceptions, and none of the predictors increased ratings of the teacher overall or their competence. Results suggest a skills-based emphasis and catching students’ attention could be beneficial for creating positive first impressions.
