I'm getting the materials together for the courses I'll be
teaching this fall, and I've decided to borrow a page from the
teaching of recreational scuba.
Scuba courses use mountains of liability release forms and
"statements of understanding." There of course the objective is
legal, but all educators can use such forms to dramatize one's
committement to a paricular set of ideals.
It's late and I'm sure there are many improvements that could be
added. However, I wanted to circulate the idea to see what
people on xmca thought about it. Does it seem completely silly?
or might it catch the attention of bored first day students?
What clauses should be added/modified? Any suggestions would be
appreciated.
Also, please feel free to try with your own classes, but do let
me know what happens - I'm curious!!
Edouard
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Statement of Understanding
and Express Assumption of Learning:
I, <Student name> , hereby affirm that I have been advised and
thoroughly informed of the course procedures, evaluation
procedures, and my responsibilities for contributing to this
course and my own learning.
________Further, I understand that this course is exists for my
benefit. Therefore it is my responsibility, and my
responsibility alone, to insure that make best use of the
resources made available to me for my own benefit.
________I understand that this course is taught for the benefit
of all students, not just me, thus I am aware of and accept the
obligations involved in supporting my fellow students and
instructor. I understand that my own contribution is essential
to successful conducting of this course.
________I understand that the use of any technology to extend
the audience of this course is provided for the benefit of those
students. The use of such technology is in no way a claim of
"equivalent experience" to direct contact with the instructor
and fellow students. It is up to those students to satisfy
themselves that are obtaining enough access to the course
resources (material, relational, and social) to serve their
needs.
_______I also understand that any attempt to evaluate a
student's performance is at some level arbitrary. Different
grading criteria are found in different cultures, countries
different historical periods, and even within the same
institution and discipline. Grades therefore cannot serve as
some objective measure, but only provide some indication of a
student's progress - and should be treated as such.
_______Finally I understand and recognize that a class is a
human enterprise and as such there are limits on what the
instructor, staff, University, and fellow students can provide
to me as resources to further my learning. I will structure my
learning to strive for the maximum benefit under those limits
instead of exacerbating those limits.
I understand the above statements and will conduct my activities
in this class in a manner consistent with them.
Student name Date