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7.2. Simple Syllabus

Simple Syllabus

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TN eCampus has partnered with Simple Syllabus to drive an important student communication innovation. Simple Syllabus makes it possible to ensure consistent messaging around class schedules, office hours, textbooks to be used, policies, instructor bios, and even content sensitive to accreditation such as learning objectives and the course outline for the entire course catalog.

Key Changes

The process for managing and updating Simple Syllabi each semester is determined by roles:

Syllabus Migration

Migration to the new Simple Syllabus has been completed by the TN eCampus instructional designers. As a Course Developer, you will not need to update items such as Course Title, Course Outcomes, or Pre & Co-Requisites.

We do need you to update the content specifically to your role as Course Developer for the upcoming term. This includes updates to the following sections for your master course syllabus (if needed):

Finally, Simple Master Syllabus auto-populates the related section Simple Syllabi every semester.

Logging in to Simple Syllabus as a Course Developer

In your D2L Master Course, you will see a submodule in your "Getting Started" module called “Course Syllabus” with the “Simple Syllabus” tool link, which is only for section instructors and students (and not for course developers). Please do not remove this submodule or move the new Simple Syllabus tool link from that submodule.

As the Course Developer, you will need to access and update and submit your Simple Master Syllabus by logging directly to the Simple website as explained below.

To update your master syllabus, you will NOT go into your D2L course. Instead, you must log into TBR Simple Syllabus website directly using your Simple credentials (you can click on “Forgot Password” if needed).

The dashboard/homepage will show you a To-Do list on the left and a Completed list on the right. Your course masters will be in the “Completed” list by default, since we copy the content from your previous master syllabus.

To list your course masters, click on the “Course Masters” tab on the top right,  and make sure you select 2024 Summer from the term dropdown box. You will see all your Summer 24 course masters under the “Completed” list (if you are the course developer for multiple courses, all masters will be listed). 

Course Masters and Term screenshot in Simple NewView

Getting Started in Simple Syllabus

Click on the Edit button under the course title to begin reviewing and updating. Please notice the Help Text presented for each section. This will guide you through successfully completing each section of the Simple Syllabus and point out potential trouble spots. Several sections request you add “No ___ Required” if your course does not use a feature. This ensures there is nothing left blank accidentally, and it also clearly communicates that information to students.

Course Developers Updates

Please see the Help Text for instructions for Required Textbooks.

Required Textbook with Help Text provided in content. Link to Virtual Bookstore with directions to choose Program, Term, Department and Course.

Help Text: Please include all required course textbooks in this section by clicking the pencil icon. Add the name of the textbook in the Title field and fill in the Author, Publisher, Year, and ISBN fields. If the textbook has multiple versions (e.g., print, eText, loose-leaf), put the details for those versions in the Additional Information box.

Sample search reveals 3 matches in a popout window.

Add Other Course Materials in the textbox. If none are required, please enter, “No additional materials required.”

Other Course Material with editor space to add text.

Add Hardware and Software Requirements as appropriate. If none are required, please enter, “None required.”

Additional Hardware and Software help text request list of software and basic system requirements. Use None Required if none.

Check the Assigned Grade and Graded Items and update the last statement on proctoring.

Please note, that in your “Participation, Assessments, and Grading” as well as “Assessments & Projects” sections, you will see 4 different tabs if you maintain a course in multiple term lengths. The help text to the right explains which tab is for which term.

Add Assessments and Projects along with description information here.

Assessments and Projects help text requests specific descriptions for graded assessments and projects. Syllabus should convey nature of and general requirements.

Define Class Participation requirements for the class in the text field.

Class Participation help text requests description of participation requirements.

Define the Late Policy for the class in the text field.

Late Policy help text requests punctuality requirements.

Don't Forget to Submit!

Please make sure to click on “Submit” when you are done, otherwise, your syllabus will stay in draft mode, and instructors and students will get an error when they try to access Simple Syllabus in the semester sections.

Submit, Preview, Close buttons in Simple NewView

Help Resources

If you have issues with updating your Course Master/s in Simple, please immediately open a TN eCampus Helpspot ticket with your question/s and if possible, a related screenshot. Use the category under Instructional Support, Simple Syllabus.

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