Late Students
The last thing mentioned in this section is "Dealing with Chronically Late Students". When I teach the early morning classes (when tardiness is rampant) I inform my students that each day during the first 5 minutes of class there will be a question of the day. They have to be in class to earn the point (usually 1 per day). I ask easy questions (When is the mid-term?)and then allow them to use their book, notes, syllabus or ask a fellow classmate. Overall the exercise has worked (for those students who are motivated by the system). In addition, I have a no late work policy and require assignments to be turned in during the first five minutes of class.
Donald,
my school has a similar policy & it's surprising to me to see how many students will push it up right to that limit.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I tach at a trade school and the class starts early in the morning. The school policy only allows them to be late 7 times in 3 weeks and/or miss 12 hours of class.
as a bonus, those that arrive on time get coffee, a small investment to keep them awake and on time.
This school's system has an automatic factor which treats tardiness/absenteeism in such a way that by simply recording the student's time discrepancies,it weighs them according to their formula and sends out warnings and disciplinary actions as needed (and notes apparent problems by frequency & event parameters).
When they're late or absent, they may not participate in any quiz or exam given and so are given a "0".
Lari,
Great strategy to encourage those students who might be dragging a little to get to class on time.
Dr. Ryan Meers
In my class, once attendence is taken, I do a review for our daily quiz. It motivates the students to be on time or possibly miss out on pertinant information that may help them on the quiz and eventually on an exam.
So… I am the instructor for the advanced practice level for a respiratory school here in Socal. I am the last person “they see†before grad out. I run my class like a hospital. If you are late your “time card gets docked… period. This works very well for me. No one is every late. Really. If you are chronically late to your job you get fired.
I never mention tardiness. During the first class, I explain that I give quizzes first 30 minutes with no make-up. If a student comes in late, they either miss the quiz or get docked points. I do leave some wiggle room for emergenices, but I always verify the emergency.
I like the question of the day approach. I have found that pop quizzes covering everything from what was discussed the day before to easy topics such as important dates for the quarter works to help keep students on time.
I'm not sure if this is over-the-top, but I have done this a couple of times. With chronically late students, I make up an official-looking document that reads something like... This is "Students Name", I like to show up late for class, and I will eventually be showing up late for work. Do you think this will make me a good employee or student? Then I have a yes/no check box and a place for signatures. I have the student go to his future instructors and get everyone's signature. I do it in a fun way, but I do have it signed. Eventually the hint hits home and things get better, or at the very least, give a warning to the future instructors about their behavior.
As this module suggested intice the sudents at the beginning of the hour with a motivating group project.
Great idea. I experience most of the late students when a major assignment is due. I have a policy that students may not enter more than 15 minutes late without a prior phone call to me as to why they will be late. 30 minutes, the assignment is assessed a penalty.
Hi Fortuna!
I really like you tying the classroom experience to the work experience.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I also have a rubric, which counts timely arrival as part of their professionalism. I explain to the students that they cannot hold on to a job if they cannot make it to work on time. Since I teach a foreign language,I would like to implement the "word of the day" concept to coincide with their arrival. That is a good idea.
As someone who has been in school awhile and attempted to juggle being a parent, a spouse, keep a full time job and go to school, I understand that sometimes choices have to be made. Sometimes being on time to a class is not the most important thing on my agenda (i.e. taking a phone call from the principal of my child's school while I am sitting in my car, but should be in class). Although education and professionalism are important. As an instructor, I believe it is important to get to know the individual, as well as take life into consideration. This being said, there should be consequences for being late (question a day is a great one) that benefit those who are punctual, and provide a consequence that is not detrimental. In addtion, the place that I teach has an attendance policy that is by the minute, so if a student is habitually tardy, it adds up on his/her cumulative attendance.
I like your "question of the day" approach. I do something similar for my night class, when students tend to leave a little early. During the last five minutes of the class, I assign an open-note quiz, where I ask students simple questions about the concepts we discussed in class. This, I find, is a motivator for students to stay until the end of class, and it rewards students who do stay then entire class time.
students that are late to class are usually the ones late to work and dont last long at any job, i have worked with students out side of school and its all the same, late for school and late for work. in both cases both former students were fired.
i stand by the door and greet them as they arrive and check that they are wearing the proper attire. when the bell rings i step away from the door and when it closes its too late they are marked late if not in the classroom, its a strict policy but it gets them into the habit of being on time so when they leave here they have some good habits about being punctual. also its not only that we train these young but also help them in getting ready to be a citizen of society
troy dries
Yes, Jacalyn, no matter how hard we try, some students will continue to scrape by.
But keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Hi Jacalyn!
Unfortunately, some instructors have to be reminded occassionally. But students have to be reminded that it is their responsibility to take advantage of the opportunities to learn.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed107 facilitator
