By Lolita Paff, PhD Many syllabi are filled with detailed description of course policies delineating, in great detail, the consequences of violating the rules set by the teacher. Are policies and penalties a teacher’s best or only option to manage student behavior? Do they help students grow as learners? In this 20-Minute Mentor, we shift the focus from policies to practices that help students assume more responsibility for their learning. LEARNING GOALS Upon completion of this program, you’ll be able to: Contrasting syllabus policies with instructional strategies and teacher behaviors that help students become more self-directed learners. Identifying instructional strategies, assignment characteristics and learning activities to help students see why some behaviors hurt their efforts to learn. TOPICS COVERED Syllabus policies Syllabi that attempt to address every possible scenario emphasize lost points and consequences, instead of focusing on learning. Common problems addressed through syllabus policies Solutions