Consistent in assignment follow-up is very important in order for students to take each assignment and the class as a whole seriously. Many students will stop doing assignments, at least intermittently, if they think there will be no follow-up.
We must show a high level of responsibility by following through on due dates. Also, we are asking for reasonable work.
Hi Theodore,
Students will definitely have deadlines in the workplace that they must adhere to, and we need to teach them about deadlines before entering the professional world.
Patricia
I agree that following up on assignments and readings keeps the student pumped and informs the student of their present class standings. It also replicates the real world workplace with its deadlines. The follow-up process prepares the student for the workplace.
Hi Cindy,
As instructors we should want to follow up with assignments so that we can determine if our students are grasping the material or not.
Patricia
Following up w/ assignments and readings is important in that it keeps the students pumped yet focused on your class content. They like to know where they stand as they progress through the course. Reviewing each assignment, quiz, handout, etc... helps the instructor assess exactly where each student is at academically. If there are slow learners or someone has specific questions pertaining to the content, this is a perfect time to address their questions and concerns.
I do have the students answer the questions at the end of the chapter and usually gave credit for the student completing the assignments however I did not actually grade each answer. I plan on incorporating little pop quizzes or summaries of the material covered to make sure the students are actually learning the information.
It is the responsibility of a teacher to communicate to the student what is expected of the student. The student has to have a clear understanding of what they have to do. If the teacher assigns readings, questions or problems for a future class and then does not check the students work, the student will get the idea that he or she is not really required to do the assignments. It is very important for students to know that assignment must be completed.
I view this in the same light as, someone not getting paid for hours worked.
When students are asked specifically to do work that incorporates learning materials and time students put into the work, no feedback is a negative.
Reward the time and effort (even if the assignment is done incorrectly) with recognition of the work put into it.
Hello Mark,
I understand. Sometimes we do have a heavy load. We have to work diligently and do the very best we can to provide meaningful feedback to our students, sometimes that does mean you may have to keep it longer than one day.
Patricia
Hi Linda,
Great list! Instructors should want to know if their students are grasping the material or not. Students must learn how to be held accountable.
Patricia
Hi Marion,
As an instructor,you should want to know if your students are grasping the information or not. Following up on student assignments should be an instructor's priority.
Patricia
You must let the student know you are serious about the the course requirements and that you intend to enforce them. Also, they are important to the student. He will need this information to perform well on the job.
Lots of reasons, but the short list, not in a particular order:
1. teaches accountability with due dates
2. checks understanding and comprehension of material
3. promotes questions, answers, discussion
4. can facilitate add'l review or more advanced work
5. opportunity for student to tweek work for how it will need to be presented in the work place
6. involves student in classroom participation
7. instructors can learn from the student's perspective re: the assignment
I feel that it shows students that you care about deadlines and more importantly that you require that said deadlines are met and will check. In addition, it prepares students for real life.
It lets the student know you are involved as the instructor, and it keeps the student focused. The student will less likey have an excuse for missed or late assignments. in other words, the instructer is setting the student up for success...we are facilitators not barriers to education.
Sure, it's always best to returned marked
assignments to students as soon as possible,
preferably the next class.
But if you are teaching 5 or 6 heavy classes, as some do at my school, (e.g., Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology,
Microbiology, Pathology) and you are evaluating tests, homeworks, lab reports, and class projects, - it is sometimes not physically
possible to get "meaningfully marked and evaluated" assignments back the very next class.
And that's what students want,- they want to
know that you really "read, evaluate, and meaningfully mark it. Any teacher can just glance at, not really analyze, and put some
general, inflated mark on an assignment.
Mark Sedlock
Hi James,
Following up with students is very important. As an instructor you should want to know how your students are doing. It means more to students when assignments are checked; they are more apt to complete the assignments.
Patricia
Assignments are given for a purpose. To determine if your instructions are reaching all your students, if they understand your instructions, if they need additional help understanding what they read. To review and to reconstruct your lectures and materials.
Some students don't take you seriously until you ask them for the homeowrk assignments every now and then. I also will hint at a quiz, but not document it( write it on the board). When it happens, the students will say " I knew you were going to do that". They are never disgruntled ( so far). It was listed in the syllabus at the beginning of the term.
