Instructors Teach, Not Babysit
The role of an instructor is to impart knowledge in the classroom and not hold a student's hand. However, this is easier said than done. For example, I keep shifting my Late HW policy each quarter because I have yet to find a "sweet spot." There are times when a student does not complete the assigned homework and cannot provide a legitimate excuse. In such a case, I make sure to constantly remind them that the homework is worth a large portion of the final grade and that it needs to be turned in ASAP. This is me now playing the role of a babysitter. How can I expect a student to learn the consequences of tardiness if I give them many chances? I must take this advice and stop babysitting students.
Thomas,
This is a tough one for all of us. Many students do not want to think for themselves nor do they want to be pushed to think. I use case studies a lot with my students to help them think for themselves and develop their problem solving skills. They must do these case studies on their own or in small groups so they have to come up with solutions or they will not earn grade points.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I see what you're saying here, and agree with it. It just makes sense. However, I'm struggling with walking this line in a slightly different way. My course is skills based, and ample time is given for the learning of a skill and the production of a project, especially when compared to the time that would be given in a real world situation. I find that students complain about the time restraint, saying that it is not enough time. My school feels that we should be helping them as much as possible in this case, so the time limits are somewhat "soft", and we are encouraged to give as much help as needed, especially for those who are habitually overtime. This has resulted in our training of automatons: students will not think for themselves or follow a written plan but will consistently come to me for consultation in what they need to do next. Any time that I ask them what they think they need to do or try to get them to think, they go on and on about how this is all new to them and that they haven't done it before, so how should they know. It's very, very frustrating. Any ideas?
Michelle,
Not sure how to answer this question because it appears that the solution involves a move to another school. When a college decides that it will keep students in seats rather than view them as students that need to learn certain foundational concepts then you as the instructor have little recourse except to comply or to protect your professional ethics locate to another school that will let you uphold the professional standards of your field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I understand and completely support this concept but what do you do when the school you work for insists that you do in fact babysit them and "bend" the rules constantly for certain students depending on how much they have gone to administration about different things? It is frustrating for other students because they are doing what they are supposed to do while others can constantly do the minimum (or less)and still pass.
Gabriel,
This is a way to keep accountability in place for the students. They need to know there will be consequences and can plan their efforts in relation to how they see the consequences impacting them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I allow my students to submit their work tardy. However, I do penalize the students for turning in their work late. The most important factor is consistency. If an instructor has a deadline an instructor needs to stick to it. Students and very good at picking up instructor tendencies. I always stick to my syllabus unless it is an extreme circumstance.
John,
I think this is a great way to provide support to your students in a professional way that encourages your students but does not baby them. They need to be held accountable and understand consequences just as they will encounter in the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree that babysitting is not are job as instructors. But as a facilitator we need to make sure the students is held accountable for the homework. I print out progress reports twice in a four week course so my student knows where there grade stands the norm is shock to the students that have slacked with the homework and what can they do to make it up? I do not allow make up homework nor do I give full credit for homework that is late. I explain this the first day of class with my sops and it is stipulated in the syllabus hand out I give the student.
Kathleen,
You have a very realistic approach to this situation. You are right that you need address the situation immediately so you can stay on top of the problem to the point that it does not get out of hand and cause an even bigger problem for the student. Also, you are sending a signal to the student that you there to help him or her be successful if they are willing to put forth the effort needed for success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree. If I find that I have an issue with the same student not turning in his/her work on time that it's best to discuss the matter with the student directly and the sooner the better. If I let someone slide over and over again then I'm really not doing that student any favors. In the "real world" there are deadlines that must be met. Also, if a student falls too far behind on homework, then they usually don't have a grasp on the topic being covered and this leads to them falling behind in comprehension as well as in grades since most lessons tend to build on previous ones. I understand that people do get sick and have life emergencies, but other than the occasional "bump in the road" a student shouldn't be given too much lenience in my opinion.
Joseph,
This is how the work world operates so the students need to understand why you are setting the standards you are. In the long run you are helping them prepare to be good employees once they leave school. A contract with them lets them know expectations from day one and as you say reduces questions because it is all there for them in the contract.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I make a "contract" with the students on day 1. In this contract it has all the dates whem all assignments are due- we both sign it. If a student is late handing in an assignment, I usually do not accept it and refer the student back to the day 1 contract... It takes the pressure off of me to be flexible and places it right back onto the student.
Daniel,
This is a challenge because you want to help students out but not enable them while providing the help. By being consistent in your enforcement of due dates you will be able to establish that you set a date it is a date that will be enforced. This will help you with your position as the learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think I am guilty of this as well. What i tend to do alot is go by the majority of the class who gets the work done on time. If more than half the class didnt finish in time then I usually change the due date. Maybe doing this alot is making them lazy in their work. Its hard to tell sometimes.
Ralph,
I think you are handling this difficult situation very well. With no real consequence for not doing homework there really isn't reason for them to do it. Yes doing homework will better prepare them for their careers but students are so short sighted that they forget they are preparing for their future and only focus on passing the current course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One frustration that we have is that our curriculum is set. It is very difficult to motivate students to do homework when they know there is little or no consequence for not doing homework. This leaves us as instructors in a position to be sucked into the baby sitting hole or appear to not care about success of the students. I have some success working around this problem by drawing the students into conversation in class. This provides some consequence for lack of preparation. One has to be careful though not to embarrass but rather reward participation.
Kathryn,
You make a good point in that these are adults who have chosen to attend college to get an education to prepare them to enter their career area. They need to assume responsibility for their future and get their work done and in on time. They need to have personal accountability if they are going to be successful in their work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think that it would be beneficial to have some sort of system. For example, when students neglect to turn in assignments, I will not remind them. I do, however, remind them that they are responsible for their own success, and if they come to me in a respectful and appropriate manner and request to turn in an assignment late, I will take those requests seriously.
Mo,
This is a fine line to walk. We want to provide support to our students but we are preparing them to enter into and be successful in their chosen career area. They need to develop the knowledge and skills required by their field so they will be able to transition into the work place with an understanding they have to be competent, on time, cooperative, etc. so we have to maintain standards so they will develop self discipline.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
