Creating Specifics
I love taking these courses as it reminds me [as an instructor] of things I can include in my classes to enhance the students' experience as well as lessen my load. The idea of creating a specific document (outside of my already posted Office Hours) can minimize students writing at 11:50 PM on the night an assignment is due, expecting an immediate response.
In upcoming classes I am going to email and post a note as to when I am online specifically. Though it may vary, there are times I know for sure I am online, including during the early hours of a day when assignments are due. Specifically stating this may help with those last minute requests, that I never can get to.
Has anyone tried this? How did it work for you?
Jenn and Kam,
You are being very generous. I do not accept late work (however, I have over 200 students in my online classes and it's just not feasible). I set my due date at 5:00 p.m. EST and students do adapt. Just FYI. Thanks for bringing this question to the group.
Kam, I'm right with you. In fact many of my students are in different time zones so having assignments due at 1159pm EST could only be 559pm in Hawaii and Alaska. Its very reasonable for my students in those locations to think I would be up and able to answered their questions at that time. However, I need to sleep at some point.
I do tend to play with the extension policy as I have two days to get final grades in. If I see someone just barely failing, I automatically grant an extension and send out an email asking them to turn in missing work or reopen late assessments. I am in contact with them weekly about any missing work but for some reason that last week is when I see last minute problems happening, with desperate emails stating their computer crashed.
How do others deal with this situation?
Jenn
Karen,
I can only imagine how this would be confusing for you and the students. Is there anything in the grading process that can be automated?
Nope...no late policy so in week 4 I am grading week 4, 3, 2, and 1....it is VERY confusing for me as the grader. I do not think it benefits the students either and have voiced this opinion numerous times over my 4 year tenure. :-(
Karen,
OMG - the instructor should have some say in setting deadlines for assignments as they are closest to the content and the students. There are times where it takes longer to cover material due to many reasons and we need the ability to adjust. Can you at least implement a no late work policy? Keep providing feedback to your institution to get them to understand you need some flexibility. Hope this helps.
I agree, I am going to try this as well.
Thanks Rachelle! :-)
I WISH! Unfortunately, at this school I am not only unable to create my own deadlines, but unable to institute deadlines - which I think are critical in online, as students can easily become "backed up" and then regardless of how much work is done, will not earn enough points to pass....a lose-lose situation.
I appreciate all your insights, THANKS Tena!
kam
Rachelle,
I'm glad your students know when to expect feedback/replies from you and glad you take time off. Just curious - what day of the week are your assignments due? Thanks!
Karen:
I always let me students know that I will reply to them within 24 hours except for Tuesdays and Saturdays, those days I take off. What I haven't done in the past is put a automatic message that reminds the students I am out of the office and they might not get a reply within 24 hours. I am going to start doing that.
Rachelle
Karen,
I love to continue to learn as well. I'm glad you are getting some things to try through these courses. I always tell my students when I will and will not be online. I put it in my syllabus. I make my assignments due at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays so I can be available Tuesday and Wednesday for questions at reasonable times and then I can grade on Thursdays. Don't have things due at midnight if you don't have to. Hope this is helpful. Thanks!
