A "Learning-Cemtered" Syllabus?

Learning centered pedagogy theoretically places the student at the center of every learning activity. Most of us learned from and consequently instruct from a teacher centered model where we decide, convey and test what is important in our classes. Learning centered methodology would force us from center stage to be replaced by our students, who resist this change almost as avidly as we.

I ran across the BYU Center for Instructional Design [Link to CID - great site with lots of resources for educators of all sorts] today which includes an interesting article on creating a learning centered syllabus. Interesting to me because I believe a refocus on a class syllabus that is learning centered might be the first step in moving our instruction in that direction. [Direct Link to downloadable PDF]

According to the instructional experts at BYU, a learning centered syllabus contains the following components:

• Course description. Purposes and context of the course, why it is important for students to learn this subject matter and how it is valuable to them.
• Intended learning outcomes. Knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills students can expect to learn in the course.
• Learning activities. Description of what students are expected to do to facilitate their learning (e.g.,assignments, projects, activities).
• Learning assessments and grading. Description of how students will demonstrate their learning (e.g., exams, portfolios, performances) and the criteria/procedures for grading student learning.
• Recommendations for learning. Ideas and suggestions for students to enhance their learning, improve their study habits, and succeed in the course.
  
  

We could surely get that far, don't you think? And it is a step in the direction of shifting the focus from teaching to learning. I love it!