i find it real hard to teach when there are always late students who interupt. it gets documented in the attendence but they really are not penalized, i try to talk to them about realk world situations and work ethics and being on time and the importance of it
I deal with this problem by my general responsibility instructions that I give to each student. Miss 3 or more classes, their highest grade is B (without proper excuse). Late for class, your responsibility to obtain information missed. All tests, quiz must be made up on your time.
I'm always careful not to judge the student's lateness, it could be traffic, family or health issue, etc.
Sometimes they announce the reason to the class as they come in and "drop a drama bomb" that disrupts everything. I let them have a minute or two then stress the importance of getting back to the lecture.
Some students are always late and always have an excuse, valid or not I do not know.
I help them when I can but the train has to keep rolling on to get to the station on time.
Hi Connie:
Holding students responsible is needed and I think to some degree circumstantial. For instance, in your example, should you learn that the student assisted a family member to obtain emergency care that day, that'd seem like reasonable explanation for why the student appeared to class late.
On the other hand, students who seem to be habitually late require escalating correction. In the work setting, they might call this progressive discipline. I try to avoid words that imply a negative conotation (correction vs discipline).
Nothetheless, students who display repeated patterns of habibitual tardiness need to know the importance of prompt and regular attendance, and some consequence for not improving thier unsatisfactory attendance imposed. I think each teacher and institution has to decide what is most appropriate.
Regards, Barry
I have a technique that is very effective, it's called "making the student aware of their responsabilities".
If they arrive late to class, I "welcome" them with this response:
"Good Morning, glad you could join us today. Have a seat, we are on page 256. Please get with me after class or with another student to get the assignments that you may have missed."
I leave the responsability in their court and wait to see if they will act on my instructions. I do not allow students to interrupt the flow of my class or to be dramatic when they arrive with outlandish behavior.
They also do not like being singled out everytime they come in late to class. In addition, other students do not like have the disruptions or the fact that the education they have paid for is being interupted.
Using a classroom website where assignments can be posted 24-7 allows students (that have inter access at home) to complete assignments even when they miss class. I have found this to be effective with my courses.
