Attempting to NOT foster dependency
One of the challanges I seem to face is making sure my students are staying on track with homework assignments, project progress and so on without allowing them to wait to be reminded. I provide a day by day schedule of events during the first class meeting, include verbal reminders at the end of each class as needed for upcoming items but some remain surprized when they miss a deadline or exclaim "Oh no we have a test today!". Any thoughts would be welcome.
Hi Douglas,
I agree 100%. We must not sugar coat things with our students because in the real world excuses are not going to work. We must prepare our students for reality.
Patricia Scales
As an instructor at a career college, I believe my most important duty is to prepare my students for the real world. I may want to be more lenient or remind them daily of an impending deadline, but I know that when they graduate and enter their field "Oh, no, I forgot" won't fly.
I'd rather they learn responsibility from me than from a supervisor who CAN'T be lenient.
I take great care to remind students of upcoming class events. I write on the board as well as verbal reminders, but still get students that will say "oh, there's a test today?" So I try to tell these students directly the day before.
Hi Bruce,
Come up with some type of penalty for missing the deadline. Be tough, do not let your students take advantage of you. If they fail the test, it is soley on them, don't beat yourself up.
Patricia Scales
