The Late Policy and Adherence has been a challenge...
I stress late policies with several methods on the first day of class, I post reminders, and I take late deductions. None of these seem to matter to some students.
I do allow for extenuating circumstances such as new life, death, severe illness, sudden medical or natural disaster emergencies, and deployment. But I require scanned and emailed documentation. I am still seeing a flood of emails with excuses for late work with no documentation and the learners expect me to waive late deductions.
I like the idea of using the "real world expectations" to guide them. Does anyone have any other methods that work for them? I'm open to more suggestions.
You would think by college, there would be less of this going on, but I'm learning that is NOT so. It sounds like a lot of other teachers are in the same boat. My favorite are the last minute requests for an extension because of poor planning. I've found that the more sympathetic I am, the more they take advantage.
Hi Pamela,
I use a similar method, but it is just on a shorter time frame. I have my work for the week due by noon on Friday for that week, otherwise a zero is given, and we start next week's work on that Monday. This system works beautifully. You make want to try using a shorter time frame.
Patricia
I too have struggled with this issue, I teach a lot of lab classes for the IP department, and they seem to think that they have all the time in the world, since they work at their own pace for the most part. I have recently begun to take points off for work not turned in on time--by the week, they lose 25 points a week, once it is 4 weeks late it is worth nothing. It has helped for the most part, but there are still those who want to turn in all work for the quarter on the last day. I have seen a big improvement in work being turned in closer to ontime by most students, and they seem to like the fact that they have more structure, that helps them plan their work.
Hi Adarian,
Students must prioritize, and deadlines should be at the top of the list. Not adhering to deadlines in the workplace can cause one their job.
Patricia
I have struggled with this in the past. I addressed it by detailing the issues in the "Class Rules and Guidelines" document I present during the first class. Explaining that late work penalizes the other students seems to help, along with giving some anecdotes about "real life" getting in the way.
Reinforcing these issues with analogies of the workplace (excuses don't cut it; there are five people standing in line for every job) also help.
Any of your feedback or other thoughts would be appreciated! Thank you.
It is human nature to get away with as much as possible without actually having to work. There is always that one student that always has an excuse for every situation. It's the same in the work force; that coworker that is always late.
I think you are focused on the wrong issue. It is human nature to ask, as the worse you can say is no, which you have already said through your policy.
We all have different priorities in life and turning in an assignment on time might not be at the top of the list.
I struggle with the same issue. I had to fail a student last semester because of that very issue. I provided them with deadlines and even the grading rubric, but yet some still do not comply. I wish I had the answers.
Sara Donevant
