Colleen Norgren

I teach in the legal profession and think that policies should be developed for late assignments that mirror the profession. Each year we meet with attorneys on our advisory board. They beg us not to accept late work. They tell us that it gives the students a false understanding that there is flexibility with deadlines. They tell us that in the legal world, if you're late, you lose. They want us to have that rigid approach to prepare them appropriately. I tend to agree with them and seldom allow late assignments without documentation of their reason for lateness. Colleen

I taught a class called Student Success. It was largely focused on how to be a good student. In that class the students discovered their learning style and prepared an individual strategy plan tailored to their learning style. I have received feedback from students 2 years later from students that comment on how helpful it was for them to understand how they learn. I think every college/school should consider this type of assessment and learning strategy planning. Colleen

I know this may not work for every type of class but each term I have been working on converting 1-2 tests to online format. I have found that even the essay tests are easier to grade and the students appreciate getting to type them instead of write them. Then, I develop a "best" answer in the feedback and if the student is missing something I can just give them the answer that I developed. I don't have to rewrite the same feedback for each student that got the same question incorrect. I love it! Colleen

I often share the struggles I encountered in my journey through college. I talk about balancing school, work, friends and family. I let them know that I have been in their shoes and I structure my classes to ease some of that strain by not assigning things on a Tuesday and making it due Wednesday. I like to give the weekend so they can fit it into their busy schedules. Colleen

How do you handle the student who has had a life change during your course and is having a difficult time coping? I have a student whe had a baby a month ago and has not turned in work on time since. I suspect that she may be dealing with the "blues" but at what point to I end taking her late work? Colleen

Often times I find it difficult to motivate online students. I try to emit enthusiasm through emails and discussion boards, but sometimes it seems like such a small percentage of the class "hears" me. Since I don't often get to see their feedback in the form of facial expression, or body language, I find myself calling students to build a rapport. Since I teach both residential and online I do my best at making the quality of education equal and setting the "bar" the same. However, with such different formats, they both have unique challenges. Colleen Norgren