This is probably the one aspect that most teachers are constantly doing.
Students sometimes don't realize you are monitoring their performance, and some might like to just disappear into the crowd if they haven't completed an assignment. It's important to (discreetely) let them know you've noticed, because it will force them to realize that there are consequences for being unprepared or for missing deadlines.
Hi Pandora,
We really do learn a lot from our students. This student told you something, and it acted as a wake up call. We need to at times really take heed to what our students are saying, as you have done.
Patricia
As an instructor, I learned the hard way of not following up with student assignments. It took one destructive class and the advice of a student, that you as the instructor set the rules of following up with student assignments. It begins with making the syllabus which clearly states that the assignments will be turned in on a certain date and if not, the penalties for late or no assignments submitted. In addition a calendar was formatted for the curriculum of the course,the date and time assignments and test dates are due was given out the very first day of class. In addition, a separate notebook is kept on which students hand in their assignments.
If you don't follow up on reading assignments many students may stop doing the assignment since there is no apparent negative consequence to them. Of course, there is a consequence in that they won't be learning the course material as well as they could and they won't be as well prepared for exams. Having short pop quizzes on reading assignments is one strategy to get the students to stay current with their reading assignments. The first pop quiz should be given very early on, perhaps after their first reading assignment to help establish their discipline.
Hi Bonni,
I like your outlook on following up with assignments. Students deserve and need to know as soon as possible the outcome of various assignments. I especially like how you question yourself to make you even more effective as an educator. I can tell you are caring.
Patricia
Follow up with assignments provides feedback to students regarding their performance on that particular graded assignment. It lets students know that the assignments are important in order to succeed in the class. It motivates the students to complete the assignments on time.
Follow up is critical. Faculty / student relationship is similar to any business. As a consumer, I will give my business to the company that cares the most about me as an individual. I try to grade assignments and post grades within 24 hours. In some cases I will quickly grade quizzes during breaktime and have their scores available before they leave class. If I note that several students did not have a handle on a particular concept, it was clarified the following class period. I would then ask myself, "Why? How could I have presented it more clearly?" Students are encouraged to ask questions, in class and outside of the classroom.
Hi Neville,
I feel as though the wrong message is sent whenever instructors do not follow up with student assignments. Instructors should have a keen interest in knowing how their students are doing with various concepts.
Patricia
AS stated, the importance of follow up is to hold the students accountable. If you don't follow up on the assignment, you will give the impression that the assignment that was given was not important and in the future if it's not done, there will be no harm.
Neville
Hi Terry,
Whenever students know that you will follow up on an assignment, they are more willing to do the assignment. Instructors should want to know if there students are retaining the information or not by following up on assignments.
Patricia
Patricia,
Follow-up provides the students with a point of reference that the reading and homework are important. The student understanding of this importance will lead the students, most students, to complete the assignments.
Terry
I feel that it is important to follow up with student work all of the time. It let's the students know that you are not just givng them "busy work" to do. I also make sure that it has an impotant part in an up coming class, so at times they will understand harder to grap demos.
Hi Rajeswari,
Instructors should provide feedback as soon as possible. Feedback at the minumum should be provided the next meeting period. Students want to know their grades, and they deserve every right to...as quickly as possible. Following up with assignments should be understand that it comes with the territory.
Patricia
It is important for the instructor to keep track of student progress and understanding in the course. Also, this allows the student to identify at where he stands in the course, what he is missing, how badly it affects his grades if not submitted on-time.
Students rely on feed-back from the instructor to evaluate how well they are learning the objectives of the course. Returning graded assignments in a timely manner shows the students that you value and respect their involvement in the course. The course content is cumulative, and as such, it is necessary for the student to acquire the skills and have them evaluated so they can build on what was learned.
we have 15 days and 90 clock hours per course and in one of the courses I manage there are over 20 different lab worksheets that have to be read and graded before the end of the course.
With only about 30 minutes a day to devote to these items and with 30 students per class, (600 sheets) you must set deadlines and follow up or you will not get through the class.
Hi Alexis,
You are big enough to own up to this as your fault. We get from our students what we expect. The students felt you weren't going to bother with collecting the work, so why should they do it? I am glad you have realized the importance of collecting assignments.
Patricia
I made the mistake when I first started teaching to not follow-up on the assignments. Then one day I did and I was very upset that 90% of the class had not completed the daily work. It took me a moment to realize I shouldn't get mad because I was setting the perimeters. It was my fault.
Now it is the daily structure to collect course work after attendance each day . I even get it when I forget to ask!!
Hi Bonnie,
Absolutely! Time is of the essence in most workplaces. Students need to realize the importance of deadlines and fully understand that they must be adhered to or else.
Patricia
