It is a disservice in that it encourages students to ignore time management, plus it is against my university's policy and also raises the issue of favoritism.
I have a late work policy (3 days for one school, 2 weeks for certain assignments on the other), but I very rarely grant extensions or exceptions to this. It's too easy for students to make up a story about what's going on, and I don't want them to get in the habit of doing so for the rest of their classes (it also seems unfair to other students who have turned in their assignments on time). If whether they pass or fail hinges on the assignment (and the excuse seems plausible and unavoidable), then I may reconsider.
mica,
Yes, you are right. One of the reasons I like using a LMS for both online and f2f courses is that it date stamps homework. It is hard to say the "the dog ate my homework" On the other hand, I can't say that they never turned it in either. I think that we need to hold people accountable. I will take late homework but there is a price (lost points).
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Right!
The "big picture" here is that we need to prepare them for the real world. Telling a supervisor/boss/client that you'll need a few extra days to get a task done would be unacceptable.
However, there are times for leniency. Although I don't like handling any personal documentation from students, I would prefer to have that so I can verify their "story."
I will always make exceptions and take late work if the fault is "our fault"--and by "our," I mean the school having some type of tech issue that gets in the way of them submitting work or taking a quiz. However, such outages are easily verified.
Marcia,
I agree with you. I don't believe in zero tolerance; life happens. But, I hold to expectations and don't take late work lightly.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have taught at colleges where I can make a decision to accept late work, and colleges where the late work policy is strict with the only possible exception being being that a student is able to document being in a flood, tornado, or a similar situation. I abide by this policy, but I much prefer being able to analyze the situation and come to my own conclusion about accepting late work.
If I see a stude3nt repeatedly needing to submit late, I will contact him or her and see if there is an underlying problem such as one of the online student pitfalls that needs to be addressed.
Helena,
THANK YOU HELENA! I understand that life happens but students take the class for a reason and because of that need to develop a plan to adjust their lives accordingly. Time management is the key.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
There are some great comments in this thread. I try to be flexible and understanding with student’s as I do understand that they’re juggling school, work and families. However, part of the life lesson here is that there are deadlines that need to be met, and if for some reason you can’t meet the deadline there must be a valid reason or consequences, late points in this case, will apply.
Tina,
I like the plan of action. I think that does make them solve their own problems. I think that we have to let them do that! great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I am in agreement with you George!
Yes, plausible latenesses, based on past performance, with time limits, are acceptable. I request that my students provide me with a "plan of action" for completion so they own their solution.
You can't always buy into all of the crisis for your students. I try to politely make it clear that their crisis is not my crisis. "Make sure you stay on top of your work, and don't let your work get on top of you!" is my warning to students.
Tina Cressman
George,
I really like your policies. You hold to them but don't practice zero tolerance. Good for you. I do think zero tolerance is problematic.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I use a Late Policy in class that is posted initially and every other week. If students ask for permission to submit an assignment late and have a good reason, they may get an exception to the policy. (Plausibility, performance to date and number of times assignments have been late are considerations.) After the fact excuses generally require documentation for exception. My policy is a 7 percent per day deduction for late assignments. That maxes out after 5 days in order for the student to receive a passing score (65%) on the assignment. Late assignments are not accepted the last week of the course or after the course ends (except when the Dean approves an “Incomplete.â€) This applies to written papers. Discussion Board projects are not accepted late since that would defeat the purpose of the assignment. If dire circumstances contributed to a late DB then, as in other aspects of the policy, an alternative assignment will be made.
I have “tested†the policy over a five year period and it seems to work while being fair. I agree with “life happens†and I think that instructors can make the call as far as allowing late assignments based on circumstances. To be fair to everyone in the class, I do enforce the late policy with those caveats mentioned.
Jeanice,
You are right, it does come to light quickly. I agree that lateness can not be tolerated.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree that it can become a problem, but that comes to light very quickly. I think you have to look at your students as a separate case scenario. Some are going to take advantage and some are going to do everything they can to do things right. After teaching for a while you learn pretty fast which ones are feeding you a line and which are sincere. Once burned, I am a lot more unforgiving about lateness. I do expect a reason...even if it's I just didn't feel like doing it. Then we need to talk.
Quiana,
I agree with you; I don't allow late work unless the student provides me with documentation. I find that we have to make sure students understand that allowing for late work is a privilege, not a right. It is my call.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Deborah,
I agree that life happens and we must be empathetic regarding the situation; but that is more the exception than the norm. As an instructor, you have to decide what you can tolerate and what you can't.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I don't think allowing students to submit their work late sets a good tone for students. It allows them to believe that due dates are simply suggestions. True there are extenuating circumstances, but as a general rule, we must prioritize the work we do.
Part of my own experience in college was learning how to plan ahead, that is a skill that I find very valuable and I believe students do as well.
I think it depends on the situation. I had a student recently who had her daughter murdered. Why would anyone expect a student to work under those circumstances? Also, things also come up that are out of our control and we as instructors may occasionally be late as well when things happen.
I personally hate being late, but if my Internet goes out and I have to drive 100 miles in a blizzard to get to a place to work, then I am going to be late regardless. Students have the same things happen.
I also think if it is a one time thing, I do not really take much off, but if it is habitual, then I am more likely to be stringent with the points off unless they have a documented excuse.
Deb Moerland
Ginger,
I do make my students provide me a reason for me to accept late work. If I didn't, it seems to become a pattern.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Trude,
I agree that life happens, but there are times when students have to realize they can't handle everything. There is a time and a place for everything.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
