Absent students
I instruct for an accelerated program. So lots of information is coming at my students daily. We have a policy that it is up to the students to come to the instructor to find out missed assigments etc. Some do this diligently, others do not. I find myself wanting them to pass, so I often will just remind them of missing assignments, or late assignments. But, it is often more work for me, tracking students down to get their homework. Any suggestions? Sally
William,
That is always a challenge. I can appreciate your situation and how you are handling it. Students try to pit one instructor against another and if we allow that to happen then there are going to be problems throughout the course. I like the way you take your stand and inform the students of what your expectations are for "your" course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I find that I have the same issues. I teach a program with 2 other instructors and find that our styles collide on certain issues and attendance is one of them. I find that I just have to take time when I first get them and explain the "new rules" to them.
Tom,
You make a very important point. The college needs to be consistent with how this policy is carried out or it makes it very tough for individual instructors, though you can set you own policy and enforce it for your class to be best of your ability.
Gary
One troubling aspect of the absent student make up work is if the rest of the instructors aren't on the same page. I can enforce the policy in my classes but if other instructors aren't it can be an uphill battle.
I too believe that students are responsible for themselves. I do try to give them opportunities to succeed, not everyone take the carrot. As long as I do my part and reach out I cannot be held accountable if the student chooses not to participate or submitt assignments.
Sally, in an accelerated program the students are on their own.
I have an alternate plan for absences for our facility we have the absent students do reports in very much detail and has to be equivalent to the total of hours they miss in other words if the student misses 1-4 hours they have to do a type written report that has to average 1-4 hours it has to be in detail and supporting the report, ex: pick a system that is related to one of the courses that you would instruct and they would have to do a project, poster and written report in regards to the issue, they would also have to have footnotes, bibliography and resources as well. Hope that I could help or give ideas Thank you Mona Graves
Hi Gary,
Sounds like you have high expectations and clear work activities for your students. If they try and put forth the effort you are there to help them. If they don't you are not there to hold their hands. Sometimes postsecondary students forget they are no longer in high school where they get chance after chance after chance.
They are training for a career and they need to put forth the effort necessary to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for that career. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I tell my students on the first day I get them that they must "help me help them". If they do not show up for class, I do not reteach yesterdays lessons and hold back the rest of the students progression just so that student can be brought up to par. That also means staying after class to help them. My after class time is for the students who are showing up but still may be having problems. For me to give those students that time they must show me that they are trying. If the homework is blank and they have questions, that tells me they are not trying and they just want me to give them the answers. Unacceptable! I want to see all my students pass as well, but how much help I give them is based on their efforts. If they spent alot of time working at it and are still having trouble, I will give them that same amount of time. I feel that is fair and the students of mine who show up and try feel the same way.
Hi Charlotte,
You have raised a common issue that instructors deal with. The demanding student and how to cope with them.
I would suggest that you ask the student that is frequently absent to schedule a time with you to go over what has been missed. Many times this extra effort on there part will cause them to not ask the questions since they have to ask them more on their own time. If they ask the questions during class tell them that you will answer those questions outside of class. Don't let them control the time or topic. Hard to do at times, but necessary if you are going to control the class.
If you nurture a student and help them ask something in return. A completed assignment, extra work, something to get them invested in the time you are spending with them. The point is they must invest something in return to get something. If they don't they quickly learn that you will do all of the work for them so they can miss when they want and still be brought to speed in the class. Very low risk behavior for them.
Hope this is of help to you. If you have an further questions please let me know.
Gary
I am often very frustrated as well with absent students. On our campus it seems they have many opportunities to make up the work. I seem to get more frustrated when students who are absent try to dominate my time during class while they are there.
I have one student in particular that not only is absent frequently, but also comes in late. When she does come in she constantly interrupts the lecture to ask questions about previous lectures and assignments. I have spent many hours nurturing her and that cuts my time with other students who have been to class.
I guess I am having difficulty breaking this cycle.
Hello Sally,
I have had many problems with students who come in late or never show for a certain class. I have tried many times to confront them about this type of behavior in a job related atmosphere when they graduate. What I have tried that seems to work is bring in a speaker who is management from a company that has something to do with what your subject matter is. He or She can explain how important punctuality is.
I agree with tthey are responsible for themselves. They have to learn through trial and error right ? If they don't do the requirements, they won't pass.
Hi Valerie,
Good comments and the poem is right on target. I sometimes feel that when students ask if they missed anything by not coming to class as if I want to reply: "no, but thanks for asking, I just hold class for the sure enjoyment of talking to an empty room with empty chairs." Then these students wonder why they can't catch a break out in the work world when they are late or don't come in. It is simple the Golden Rule operates, the person with the gold sets the rules. Be there or be gone. This is a key part of helping our students to understand how important the soft skills are to career success.
Gary
This is a great poem in response to that age old question "Did I Miss Anything?"? I think it really hits home what we can share with our students when they miss class. I like to share it so they maybe think about what they are missing.
http://www.library.utoronto.ca/canpoetry/wayman/poem5.htm
Did I Miss Anything
Tom Wayman
Originally from: The Astonishing Weight of the Dead.
Vancouver: Polestar, 1994.
Did I Miss Anything
Question frequently asked by students after missing a class
Nothing. When we realized you weren't here
we sat with our hands folded on our desks
in silence, for the full two hours
Everything. I gave an exam worth
40 per cent of the grade for this term
and assigned some reading due today
on which I'm about to hand out a quiz
worth 50 per cent
Nothing. None of the content of this course
has value or meaning
Take as many days off as you like:
any activities we undertake as a class
I assure you will not matter either to you or me
and are without purpose
Everything. A few minutes after we began last time
a shaft of light descended and an angel
or other heavenly being appeared
and revealed to us what each woman or man must do
to attain divine wisdom in this life and
the hereafter
This is the last time the class will meet
before we disperse to bring this good news to all people on earth
Nothing. When you are not present
how could something significant occur?
Everything. Contained in this classroom
is a microcosm of human existence
assembled for you to query and examine and ponder
This is not the only place such an opportunity has been gathered but it was one place
And you weren't here
Hi Gerjuan,
By using the policy that you have you are helping your students to become responsible professionals. They have to understand that if they don't attend class there are consequences. By making your policy clear in the syllabus you have reduced any misunderstanding. Keep up the good work.
Gary
When I first started teaching. I always found myself trying to let the students know what they missed in class. It got to the point to were the students were not even concerned about the information or test that was missed. I decided that it was time to hold all students accountable for their abbsents. In the syllabi that is handed out on the first day of class. There is a statement saying that the students are responsible for getting any work that they missed. I have found that a lot of my students come to me and asked what was missed in class. The students also know that they have to always refer to the assignment calendar that is given to them the first day of class.
-Gerjuan
Hi John,
Thank you for your input on working with adults. Your approach is an excellent one. I feel as you that I have to lay it all out for my students at the very beginning of the course, so they will know what is expected. They also will know what happens if they don't hit certain deadlines or attendance becomes a problem.
You want to be understanding of their situation and you can be. You are charged with giving them opporunities to acquire the knowledge and skills required of the career field. They will not be employable if they are not there and learning what is required. A key part of class management.
Gary
Many of our students are adults and unfortunately because of other responsibilities are unable to make their education a priority. The intent and the right motives to improve self are there, but other life factors are more pressing. Classes that cater to adults would benefit from a detailed syllabus and student packet. These items should be handed out to the student on the first day of class. Examples of items included in the packet are worksheets, project requirements, assignments, due date sheet, required reading, and supplemental readings. Doing the above will take the burden off the instructor in having to remind the student of assignments. The student would know what is expected even if absent. John
