Late Assignment Criteria
I'm going to play devil's advocate here. It's stated that taking points off the grade for a late assignment "replicates the deadline criterion of the work world". No, it doesn't. In my field, if you are late, you lose the client, you lose money and, ultimately, you will lose your job. Do this enough, you lose your business. There are no valid "Oh, we didn't get finished on time...." excuses because client deadlines are written in stone.
Added Note: I give each student a sheet outlining the project and the due date and time. I also put this info online where all students have access 'in case they lose their info sheets'. Students know I do this, and many have had me for multiple terms, yet still try to say they didn't know the deadline.
Now, again as devil's advocate (I'm reiterating this point), please defend how a missed deadline and merely taking a percentage off for each day it isn't turned in replicates the real world? I am a strong advocate at the college/higher ed level that if a deadline is missed, the student gets a '0' right off the bat. Please explain why I should back down on this belief.
Hi Martha,
Great approach to ensure your students know deadlines. Students like playing the card, "I did not know." They can't use this excuse with you due to you writing your due dates on the board.
Patricia Scales
I think by making clear over and over again to my students that they will be deducted points for everyday they are late it encourages them to have it done on time. I warn them and remind them on the board when something is due so they have no way to argue they didn't know.
Hi Elisa,
We need to really prepare our students for the real world. Deadlines not met will not be TOLERATED in the real world.
Patricia Scales
Richard I agree.
When instructors allow their students to turn in assignments late (even with a grade reduction), I believe this does not prepare them for "the real world."
I surely hope we are not doing a disservice to the students.
