Hi Suzanne,
On the being too lenient question it is hard to come to a definite answer. I have a policy that the work is due on a certain date and is subject to reduced points if late. I have the points constructed so that the points drop quickly so in five days all the points will be gone. This way the students see how much I value them handing projects in on time and also I know I am through with the project in five days. If you don't do this the students will drag projects in throughout the course looking for points. This is complicated and I don't want to spend time chasing their projects and their points. This method solves the problem.
Gary
I have a policy that is covered in detail in my syllabus.
I do accept late work regardless of the situation.
I teach a weekly class......for each week the work is turned in late the grade will automatically be 10 points less.......ie: 2 weeks = 20 points
I explain that in the work environment missing due dates is very serious...........clients as well as employers do not like "late" anything
Most clients or employers are understanding to a point, however when it is time for that "raise" or "new contract" the person or firm that was consistanly late usually does not fair as well as the person or firm that shows prfessionalism by performing.
Am I being too leniant ??
Hi Terri,
I'm not clear on the question in relation to defining an emergency. Could you expand on this a little. Generally an emergency involves some aspect of threat to the safety of students or a medical situation with someone.
Gary
How do you define an "emergency" in your courses? I sometimes find this to be a difficult situation and look for ways to be consistent with all students.
I give no leeway on assignments that affect other students. I teach online, so that means that I do not accept late discussion board posts or group activities.
In the case of illness or family emergency, I will accept work that does not affect other students late as long as the student communicates with me about it before the work is due or as early as possible and the work is made up promptly.
I haven't rejected late assignments, but I inform the students in my addendum to my syllabus that late assignments will be docked 50% of the points automatically. The student will fail that assignment, but the points he or she does receive will still help in the overall point total for the class.
Hi Karen,
Thank you for these great comments on the constant issue of "late assignments". This is something that can really trip up a new instructor. I know your advice will be of help to many.
Gary
Hi Kym,
We are training for career success with our students. One of the tenets of success is being able to meet deadlines. We need to instill this into our students. Deadlines mean deadlines. If they don't then why have them. Our efforts as instructors in this area will pay dividends for our students later.
Gary
Hi Gordon, I agree with your policy for late work. As instructors, we need to have firm deadlines and students will respect our guidelines. When there is an emergency situation, I consider each request on an individual basis knowing that I want to give students every opportunity to succeed.
Great topic! I have gone both ways on the late policy, and it sometimes depends on the student base. The quarter that I received 5 requests for due date extensions in a class with 20 students, I did not accept late work, because it was obvious where that would lead. Other times I have been more liberal, and always end up regretting it at the end of the quarter, when, as has been mentioned, the track record leads students to "expect" another late assignment to be accepted.
One thing I have learned to do, if I do accept an assignment late (for instance if the student joined the class late), is I make sure to tell them that after that initial extension, future work will be due on the normal due dates. The reason for this is probably obvious... :)
I do the same and I'm often told I'm too strict. I tell the students up front that's my policy and they still forget to talk to me ahead of time. If we accept late work, all that does is teach students that in life they don't need to respect deadlines and schedules. I've had several employees that I'm convinced got away with late work because they never had to get things done on time.
Hi Gordon,
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Students respect instructors who stand by clearly stated policies and manipulate the ones who don't. Furthermore, allowing late work after the assignment is due is incredibly unfair to the other students who also have children, spouses, family issues, full time jobs, etc. yet still manage to post their work on time.
Hi Farley,
These are the same students that will be poised to take advantage of career opportunities because they have worked hard and prepared themselves. The other students sit by and wonder why they can't catch a break.
Gary
I am much more inclined to work with students who are proactive in making sure that they have a good track record so that when life does happen I know that they are not trying to take advantage of a situation.
Personally, I use a very similar policy. The "life situations" must also be present as opposed to usual or perceived "life drama". Setting an example of what would be expected in the workplace for deadlines and due dates is reasonable to begin preparing students for during their education.
Not at all. Except in emergencies it is not unreasonable to ask students to contact you prior to when an assignment is due for an extension, and not to accept the work otherwise.
Hi John,
Right you are about setting the boundaries. Once the door is open the floods will come in in terms of exceptions asked for and needed. As an instructor none of us wants to go down that path.
Gary
I don't think that you are being too liberal,
I do the same as long as the students let me know in advance what's going to happen.
Also when they are late they will use the excuse that you the instuctor let other students hand projects in late. This should not be permitted with out documentation of reason. EXP: Doctors excuse, court paperwork, ECT.
Hi Susan,
I agree a hundred percent. If you don't set the standard and hold to it the students will test you all semester long with late assignments and missed deadlines because there is no reason for them to meet them.
Gary
