Students need to know that we want to see them succeed and they want encouragement about their understanding. I am allowed 3 days each week to do 100+papers. Sometimes I don't think that's enough time, so I have to develop formulas for responding appropriately -- apply them to the students who are on point, and take the extra time to write more/give more to those who display uncertainty or misunderstanding. It's a juggle. Professionalism in my own time management is rewarded by the student. That gives me the gratification I seek. :)
Hi,
I believe it gives the students confidence about the course and you as an instructor. It lets them know that I have an instructor who is willing to show me that I need to get serious and he/or she is about business.
I absolutely believe there should be follow up on assignments by at least having students bring them out in class to ensure that the assignment was attempted and then some discussion on the assignment; however, I disagree with part of the lesson that made it sound like all assignments should be graded (I may have misread that). Through my training and experience in the classroom, not all assignments need to be graded in order to get student buy-in. They should at minimum be checked for completion but do not always merit a grade in the gradebook.
Hi Claudia,
Every assignment should have a purpose. I ensure that the purpose of reading is to reinforce what will be taught or what has been taught. Nothing should be done for just the sake of doing it.
Patricia
I was one of those students. It is not so much they do not want to read. It is because their days are so packed with things that must get done, they don't have time to read and some have reading difficulties. So, I can sympathize. However, I don't want to read to them or waste time just having a reading day. So the next best thing is assignments with a purpose to hit the highlights.
Hi Allison,
It is always clever to give a quiz on material that is to be read. Quizzing a student on read material forces them to read.
Patricia
Hi Claudia,
I am still baffled by this, students simply do not won't to read, and this applies to college students as well...unreal. It is hard to be successful if you do not ever pick up a course book to read it.
Patricia
I agree with the idea that assigning work out of the book forces the students to read the material. It is unfrotunate that they need an excuse to open a book they paid for, but it is reality. I also assign quizzes that are open book just to force them to use it as a resource.
As far as homework is concerned, I believe it forces students to read the the material in order to answer the questions. Most of the homework I assign is the workbook pages, I also use some of the same questions on my exam. I do not want the students to just fill in the blanks, I want them to learn from the material. By the reading and the homework they are getting repetition. The next class period I ask if their are any questions, if not I start to quiz them. this also shows that I am serious.
Hi Jennifer,
Students will certainly take you for a joke and the class for a joke if nothing is ever followed up on.
Patricia
It's important because for some students, following up is the only way to motivate them to do it. They aren't learning as much if they don't do the assignments and readings. I also wouldn't be modeling accountability if I asked people to do something and then never mentioned it again.
Following up on assignments enables you to know what the students may be missing, if anything. It gives you needed insight into how well they are taking directions, or how well your directions are being understood. It is a chance to make any small or large corrections to ensure that the information is being recieved and fully understood.
If there is no follow-up, it sends the message to the student that the assignment is not very meaningful. Student motivation would then suffer.
If the assignment is meaningful (and it should be), the instructor wants to follow up and provide feedback.
Students do the work assigned because they are under the impression it is important to their grade and for learning. It helps them know if they are succeeding.
This is good. I admit with teaching a lot of courses I'm not the quickest with getting material graded and back to them. They need to know where they stand because I'm not permitted to give extra credit.
One reason to follow-up on assignments is to give the assignment value. Students do not like work that is not of value or have a purpose. I review each assignment to ensure that the assignment is meeting a specific purpose in learning the objective. Assignments have due dates with penalties if turned in late. I graded and return all work in a timely, also.
By following up with assignments the instructor can recognize the development of each student throughout the course. The instructor will be able to identify any student that has fallen behind, and reflect on themselves and the students. The instructor can then reinforce or cover again any information that may have been missed.
It is important to follow up with student assignments because students need feedback to prevent misconceptions from forming. If misconceptions or errors are handled promptly the students grow in their career knowledge and become professionals. Feedback helps reinforce or correct student perceptions.
I want to make sure that students are proceeding through the class at a good pace and that they don't get behind in learning the concepts presented. It is important for them to know that the assignments are not merely busy-work, but that they are necessary in order to learn the content of the course.
I feel that it is important to follow up on assignments to make sure that they understand the assignment, also, to reinforce the deadline of when it is due.
One thing I have done for my students is make a cover sheet for the assignment so they can check each assignment off so that they can see their progress.
