missing class
After every class, I review my attendance roster and email each student with what was missed and plainly outline policy for make up work. It is actually fairly easy given I mostly cut and paste from my lesson plan. I find this works well and also gives both the student and myself a document to work from if any discussions arise regarding missing class.
Hi James:
Very much as you are describing, it is important to let the student know the expectations, and the consequences on the first day of class. This way, there is less chance of students saying "I didn't know".
Regards, Barry
Students missing class is a big problem in the class I teach. On day one our attendance policy is gone over at length. I also hand out a document the lists what assignments are due on what day of the class. this helps to eliminate the excuse of I didn't know that was due. The only way a student can make up exams or written work due to an absence is with written documentation about the absence.
Hi Regina:
To facilitate the student staying on track, some institutions are starting to use message boards and electronic notifications that let the students know what was covered in class, and any assignments that were given out.
Regards, Barry
Great idea! This really keeps an instructor in contact with the student.
Hi Halina:
That's a very generous process you are using! Most institutions put the onus on the student, or in other words, make it the student's responsibility to call in for missed work.
Regards, Barry
I totally agree. That goes along with class expectations, and making sure your attendance requirements are listed on the syllabus addendum. I deduct 10% if an assingment of test is late due to absence, unless student has made prior arrangements with me.
Hi Philip:
One way to nip this problem in the bud would be to present the expectations to the class on the first day of class, incorporate those expectations into the class syllabus, and hold everyone to those expectations every day.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kyla:
most institutions have a similar deduction of points like you've described, for when students miss exams. I think the idea to impress upon the student from as early as possible is that when you miss class, you might miss something really important that ties into the rest of the class.
Regards, Barry
That sounds like it works great for your courses. Unfortuniately, I deal with live animals...and I never know what I will have to work with from day to day, so the 'cut and paste' method takes a long time...it is just easier to type out what we did and what we will do next.
This would seem time consuming if you were teaching several classes at once. I do give them an outline with what we are doing each class along with what the assignment is. I tell them it is their responsibility to stay on track since everything is outlined from day one.
I especially like this idea for residential teaching. I imagine that with technology there are all kinds of options for assisting students who have to miss class. Does anyone use Jing, Wet Paint, or Wikis?
No matter how you do it, it is important to stay organized.
I agree and follow the same protocol and it works.
After class, I call the students that were not in class if they have not called in already. When I call I just tell the person who answers my name and ask if the student can get in touch with me. I tell my students the first day that they are responsible for any missed work when they miss class. Each student has a list of chapters that will be covered each week and what that homework assignment will be. Those students that are unsure usually email me or leave a message for me with their number asking for me to get in touch with them. this has worked for me.
Be careful with this method, however. Where I work, we have been told that unless we have something in writing, we should not be sending e-mails out to students in order to stay in compliance to FERPA rules and regulations. In the same manner that if we were to call a student at home and the spouse answers, we still can not divulge the reason for calling to the spouse - or even the parent that is paying for their child's education - it can not be done on an e-mail - at least a personal e-mail - since there could be more than one person who has access to it.
Within the past term, we have tried to work with this situation by providing school e-mail addresses for the students and using this address to send e-mails to the students, since this address should be limited to just the student. Again, we have to be careful in what is addressed. The one drawback we have to this right now ... not enough of the students check this e-mail account, so if we did send something there, many are not going to see it.
It is somewhat difficult for me to set deadlines to makeup missed lessons simply because I teach a typing class. I encourage the students to either come in on days outside of class or to come in early to complete their lessons on time. For missed exams, I deduct 5% for each class period the exam is taken late. My school's policy is that there is no makeup for missed exams, but I don't believe that's fair considering that students usually only tend to miss exams if they're sick or an emergency has arose.
Great idea! I'm going to start doing that.
Hi James:
Great!. This is reinforcing your expectations and giving on course correction. Sounds good.
Regards, Barry
