Late assignments.
How do we balance students full time employement with home work?
Many of us work in a career college where students have busy families and full-time jobs. However, I think the policy developed regarding late work should mirror the profession they are about to enter.
Colleen
Hi Melissa,
You certainly made some valid points in your response. Priortizing is a must. Deadlines must be adhered to.
Patricia
This is so tough because I do find myself balancing two jobs and homework assignments. Students have to set aside goals and make a to-do list to stay on track. During their downtimes, is a good time to squeeze some work into their schedule. My school does enforce the rule of no late work accepted so that means students really have to stay on task with work assignments. Have limitations give the student some stability of how the real work will work when the have jobs. I tell them treat your school work like your career or job because you want get paid for being late.
Hi Randolph,
I only accept late work due to extenuating circumstances. I understand things come up, but students must be held accountable as they would expected to be in the real world.
Patricia
I define clearly when assignments are due then I put a point value to each day the assignment is late noand I out line the few exceptions
Planning is so critical for adult learners
Their hectic work schedules and personal lives makes it important to provide them with a mini course in "project planning" so they can manage everything
I tend to be harsher on the penalty, only becuase I am a student too. My classes allow 2 days late and a 25% deduction for each day. In class I allow 1 day, since the class is 2 days a week, at a 50% deduction.
Hi Annette,
Each student comes with a different story. They must learn how to balance it all. We can teach them how to better manager their time and how to prioritize, but umtimatley it has to be worked out from them. There are many sacrifices when one is trying to juggle school along with a job, family, etc., but it can be done successfully.
Patricia
Hi John,
I don't really feel that is for me to try to balance. Some students work full time, some work part time, and some don't work at all. Each individual student has to try to balance their own workload.
Hi Robert,
I like to assign small portions of the project in order to reach the finished product. This generally helps and for the most part even if a student does not have all to turn in on the due date, they have a portion, which is better than nothing.
Patricia
My policy relating to late assignments follows the real life field my students are in so I relate this to court documents that must be filed and the importance of having them in on time. I provide an explanation to students that the Judge will not allow late Motions, over due Pleadings and Petitions, etc. Therefore, I have a "no late" assignment policy. There is always an exception to that rule due to emergencies etc. However, they are far and few in between. I also allow students to email their work to me, have someone drop it off or for them to place it in my bin. That has minimized excuses.
I like to provide them with a step by step action plan that I, myself, might take to accomplish the assignment. This shows them a clear approach to getting the assignment done on time.
I also tell them to pre-plan and try to have some foresight into what types of problems they might run into. This allows them troubleshooting time before an obstacle occurs.
Hi Kelli,
It is good when you can empathize with your students. You tend to really understand what they are going through and can offer great suggetions as you have. It is nothing like being able to relate to your students.
Patricia
I teach solely online and set clear expectations of due dates from Day 1. In addition, I have an announcement thread with tips of the week. One of the tips I share with the students is Time Management. I go so far as to include a time log for them to fill out on their own time to see where they have openings and where they can fit in their studies.
Offering Tidbits on Procrastination, Time Management and the importance of establishing good habits from day one has been a hit in my online classes!
I've also been in their shoes and explain that to them in my 'getting aquainted' thread. I explain that I have honestly been there, done that. (Attended school, full time job, family responsiblities, social life ;) )
My Best,
Kelli
Hi Roseann,
Students need to have some type of penalty if you are going to accept late assignments becasue it is not fair for them to be graded as if someone who turned their work in on time.
Patricia
Hi Crystal,
I have learned our students do no prioritize well. They also wait until the last minute. These bad habits must be broken before they enter the work place. We have to get students to see things as professionals see them.
Patricia
Lisa,
I agree with you. I think that the student wants to be successful he/she must do the projects and assignments that they signed up for. I give them enough time to do the project so they do not fail. I also remind them this is a big part of your grade. Being on time is important and I take off 10 points for everyday that they are late.
I agree, My students have plenty of time. If they can watch TV at home then they have time to do assignments.
Hi Elton,
You need to be as rigid as you have to in order to get students to attend. I am a firm believer that you get from students what you expect. Raise the standards and students will rise to it.
Patricia
