MIA students may have a reason
We use Moodle and I can see participation at a glance for each of the classes. When I see a student go silent, I look and see if they are doing it throughout their courses, or in just one. If just one, it may be a content or instructor issue. However, if they are really MIA there could be a legitimate reason.
I have had students dealing with a child being shot, a spouse missing in action, death in the family. Because I know there can always be a reason, I make sure to phrase my inquiry so that it is seen as being concerned, not critical. The students are so appreciative. And yes, I'm sure some have played the tragedy card when it isn't true(grandma deaths and final exams) but for the most part the students are honest and will admit if they have dropped the ball.
Troy,
We have to do what we can to help students stay on track or get back on track. Communicate is important during this process. Thanks!
Walt,
I don't accept late work at all. However, for tests, if they miss one test, I let them use the final exam grade for the final exam and the test they missed. This works for me.
Same here. I have always found a letter of concern to be most effective in promoting student engagement. Whether it is from poor performance on an assignment or not responding to a discussion question in a timely manner, this method of communication almost always works for me in my online classes. Using these early during the course will also make it easier for the student to get back on track!
For my on ground classes I require a student who has an excuse for being MIA to actually bring in some sort of proof before I'll allow them to make up late assignments and exams or making them exempt from Class Participation grades during the times they were absent. The burden of proof is on them and I'm open minded and I often see jury duty summons, hospital bills, Doctor's letters. If they can't produce somes sort of proof, I won't allow the make-up work.
How do you handle this for your online classes?
Frances,
You are right. We many times have no idea what the students may be going through in their lives and, on the flip side, they don't know what all we are dealing with either. Thanks!
Patricia,
I agree with you that there are a lot of issues that a student may have that has nothing to do with the classroom and sending an email to the instructor is about the last thing on his/her mind at the time. I like you make sure that my inquiry is one of trying to help and not wagging my finger at the student for not doing the work, etc.
Frances
Jeremy,
Your compassion is a good thing. We do have to understand the individual and not be stereotypical. Thanks for your input.
I try very hard to do the same thing when I see a pattern that does not look right with a student. I have been surprised and humbled a few times with the stories that I have heard. I just try to be an understanding person and give them the benefit of the doubt in those situations. The results have been positive.
Kelly and Patricia,
Thanks the your input. We do have to have compassion and try to understand where the students are coming from and what all is involved in their circumstances. We do have to be smart also and identify "real" vs. "false" situations. Thanks!
Good post, Patricia! I have also given the benefit of the doubt first- sending the initial inquiry with a concerned tone rather than judgmental or critical. You just never know! It helps to be understanding first, before critical, since you do not know the circumstance. Indeed you have to look out for the false excuses, however that is something that will probably always happen with certain students.
Mark,
I enjoy Adobe Connect and use it for many reasons. If you are teaching in 5 weeks, you have to connect quickly. Thanks for sharing.
We use Acrobat Connect for our "live sessions" and typically we have @ 10% of the student population actively participate, but the sessions are recorded/archived. There is also a weekly spreadsheet that we submit to the Department which is reviewed and followed up on by myself and SA's to determine the validity of and/or the reason for their absence of work submitted. The class in only 5 weeks, so staying on top of the situations is critical.
Cally,
Again, we find something new to try. Thanks again for sharing.
Thanks for posting this and to your colleague Shannon, in our day and age there is always going to be something crazy going on in our students lives.
This helps them understand the rules of the real world but also lets them know we aren't totally devoid of human compassion. I might have to test it out!
Tim,
Sounds like you have a system that works for you. You are right in the fact that if we wait too long, there is too much to make up OR i my case (I don't allow late work) they can't make it up. Thanks for your input.
Patricia and Hannah,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. I don't accept late work (and - by the way - neither does my boss - life lesson), but I know many people to accept late work. I do give an option for a missed exam. If they miss one exam, whatever they get on the final exam (which is typically comprehensive and harder) counts as the final exam grade and the missed exam grade. So, there are options. Thanks for your input.
I usually try not to wait. If a student becomes MIA, I contact them the very next week. Obviously it is with a tone of compassion and encouragement, but I find if I wait until the 2nd or 3rd week of non participation they may feel as if it is too much of a mountain to catch back up in the course.
Hannah and Patricia,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. I try to be proactive and I contact students who "disappeared" for a week or several days. Blackboard, the LMS I use, has statistics that I can review to see when students have logged in last and how long they were logged in at that time. If students haven't logged in for some time, I email and/or call. Thanks for your question.
Hannah, you are right and we were also getting that as well. My colleague, Shannon Baxa, created a message that she sends out at the beginning of the term to the students and it seems to be helping, here it is:
Late Work: It is vital that you submit all assignments/labs/exams and complete all work by the time that it is due. If you encounter an emergency and cannot submit on time - please send me an email ASAP apprising me of the situation and the duration of the extension you are requesting. An important part in planning for your career is to treat this program as if you were a working professional. By showing me that you are planning when unable to meet your "deadline" is very important. If you do not request an extension - late work may be penalized at an approximate rate of .5 points per day after the due date. If you request an extension and do not meet that date/time - the penalty will also come into play. If a student is frequently submitting late work - we will discuss this and I will help you develop a better time management plan. Again - I am sensitive to issues and understand that life happens. Under extreme circumstances, I will work with the student to determine the best approach for late work submission. Keep in mind that it is best to just submit work on time!
