I believe following up on student assignments are very important because it shows the students that you are very interested in their work. It also helps them see that their work must be important to their career and you are interested enough to follow up on their accomplishments.
My class knows that "not" completing their homework or assignments is not an option. Their are written consequences, however I will come to them and discuss what and why I am missing them. Not in a belittling way, but a way that lets them know I have noticed their missing work.
To ensure that they are learning the material and not stuggling. Following up on assignments also shows the students that you are serious about their learning.
By following up on student assignments, I am able to demonstrate that I do have an interest in their work and the learning that goes with the assignment. When assignments are folowed up on or the student gets the impression that they are not important, then their work is only haphazard and the amount of learning accomplished diminishes.
To show them we are serious about deadlines,holding them responsible for their work.
To show students that they are accountable for their work and it's expected of them. If they put in the energy to complete an assignment or reading, we should take the time to give them feedback or credit for it.
Hi George,
I concur! Students will generally give you what you expect. Set the bar high.
Patricia Scales
Hi Joan,
I can tell you are passionate about teaching, and you truly care about your students success. When students know that you truly want them to succeed, most students will hang in there and do their very best.
Patricia Scales
Returning graded assignments the next class day after they were scheduled to be handed in is essential. It tells the student that has problems meeting deadlines that the instructor "is holding up his/her end of the deal, now I have to become accountable for mine."
Following up on assignments or redaing you give your students shows that you are serious. It lets them know you set standards and stick to them. If you assign something and then dont follow up on it, most people are going to take the lazy way out and not do it.
Tina,
We should be about our students success. I can tell you really give you all and all to ensure your students succeed.
Patricia Scales
I have found it is essential to follow up with the students to ensure they have done the reading or assignment. If I am not following up on the assignments the student may think I do not care or they may fall so far behind that it is impossible to catch up. The most important reason I follow up with them is to ensure their success and for retention purposes. Losing a student because they feel overwhelmed can be difficult. However, by reaching out to that student they find that I care and see that I want them to be successful.
The other reason to reach out to them is to remind them that they are not alone. Many times in an online environment the students start to feel alone. When I email them or phone them they realize that there is an actual instructor to back them up and for support.
There are several reasons you should follow up on assignments and readings given to the students.
1. Understand what is being asked. If an assignment is given and the student does not have a solid understanding on what to do then it can be clarified so student can complete the assignment on time.
2. Insure understanding of subject content. If the student does not understand the subject content then their assignment or reading could be hindered or completed incorrectly
3. Make sure the assignments are being completed. I have had many instances in my class where one person puts hours into their assignment when the person next to them hurries to complete it 5min prior to it being due.
Give a good example of what is expected. A checklist of subject material or a specific outline that is expected for the final assignment or the reading material. Insure proper understanding and grade accordingly. If someone does not follow the outline or clearly does not understand the subject material then they can be tutored or the instructor can make time to insure understanding prior to a quiz or exam over the subject. This leads to more confidence, less frustration and a better chance the student will want to succeed.
Following on students assignments is to make sure if there is a student that need your help to get back on task to meet deadlines for turning in assignments.
Following up on assignments and readings lets the student know that you as an instuctor take their education seriously and you not just giving them busy work.
I do these same techniques. I discuss random topics on off the assignment and call on random students. Class jeapordy is always fun for the students and it helps them remember the right answers because they hear and see it. I also give out stickers as "prizes" for good answers, 100's on tests/quizzes and good questions that the students ask that none of the students know the answer too, at the end of the semester the student with the most stickers gets 2 extra points on their final test. It has worked wonders so far! The students are way more attentive and they get excited when they get a sticker. :)
I like the pop quiz idea. the daily quiz over what was discussed is also a good idea, I think I will try that with my next classes. It is hard to get all the students to turn in their assignments. I have a couple students that are always late. I could certainly use some of these ideas from the course to maybe improve this.
It is important to follow up quickly because the topics move so quickly
One very important reason to follow up on student assignments is that if we as instructors are late at grading or posting the grades for the assignments we are showing our students they do not need to be prompt on their work either. We should not hold our students to one level if we do not hold ourselves to the same level.
Excellent approach! Your students literally know "where they are" in your class. They know to be on time, and they know how they're progressing through the material. Thanks for the insight!
