Late assignments for tudents that work full time
I am fairly new to teaching and have a tendency to let my students slide on late assignments because they work full time jobs. They work some weekends and all different kinds of shifts so I try to schedule assignments for when I think they would have the most time to do them. But they have other classes also, not just mine. Would anyone have any advice for how to be more strict as far as assignment deadlines without being the stern instructor nobody likes?
I accept late assignments as well and also advise of a late deduction, percentage per day up to a point/date (usually 7 days) after that the grade is an automatic zero. I realize they are adults and most are working full time while going to school. But, I need to hold them to a deadline. (Just like a job assignment).
Hi James,
Students are held accountable, unless there is some type of extenuating circumstance, and proof must be provided.
Patricia Scales
That sounds ok too. I will have to decide which to make negotiated and which to make suggested. But that sounds like it would work also. Thanks for the suggestion! I am getting so much helpful advice and suggestions on here I can't thank people enough.
Well that sounds ok. That might be the option I am looking for. I may have to try that this semester. Thanks for the info!
Hi Michael,
The only problem I have with this is that if they are doing something wrong they are not going to know before taking the exam, thus causing them to do poorly on that portion of the exam.
Patricia Scales
Hi Brenda,
Actually I like your flexibility. I really like the idea of suggested deadlines and no negotiated deadlines.
Patricia Scales
Here is an approach I use and the students really seem to like it as well as meeting my needs. I assign their work throughout class sessions but it isn't due until the exam. That will give the students more time to complete the work as well as use it as a study guide. It also allows me to have a deadline I believe that is fair and meets the needs of adult learners.
I too have many students with heavy work schedules who attend late evening classes. Many of these students would not chose to maintain this schedule on a permanent basis, and know that it would not be maintainable as a permanent work schedule. I have a few assignment with no negotiated deadlines and a few assignments with suggested deadlines that allow the students to work around their own schedules.
Hi LINKA,
You are telling your students the truth! We have to let our students know exactly how it is in the real world.
Patricia Scales
And I stress that with my students every time we meet. I let them I'm preparing them for the real world. While in school they are being groomed as employees, you can't let me know 30 mins before class starts that you were having trouble with the homework assignment. I tell them that telling your boss that you didn't understand the assignment and couldn't meet the deadline on the day that it's due is unacceptable and will result in a termination.
Hi Cheryl,
I concur! If the situation is extenuating, I will accept late assignments.
Patricia Scales
Hi LINKA,
Life can be overwhelming. It can be overwhelming when they start their career too. The employer is not going to accept deadlines not being met because life is overwhelming.
Patricia Scales
I tend to accept late assignments as well from adult students, however I do tell them that they are going to lose points for every day it is late. I give them plenty of time to complete the assignment and warn them about procrastination - you never know what live is going to throw at you so you need to work on assignments as soon as you can. Of course, sometimes there are very unforseen circumstances (such as a death in the family) and I am always willing to work one-on-one with students in that type of situation.
Cheryl Gustitus
Not a problem. I have to use this method for my own life. I was really feeling overwhelmed and I can just imagine the students have to feel that way and more:)
Hi James,
It works beautifully our syllabi are laid out on a day-to-day basis.
Patricia Scales
Well that certainly is good advice too. I think that is a great idea. Some of our syllabi are laid out in a weekly manner so maybe I will make a calendar based from that pointing out daily assignments instead of weekly ones. Thanks again for the tip.
I feel the best method is to help them see their life in black and white. Using a calendar, a student needs to map out his/her work & family life to effectively manage time. Each task would be listed in each day block of the calendar, mapped out by the time that task is to start and end. Then he/she will see that they probably had more time than he/she realized to complete his/her assignment. First remind your student(s) why they made the decision to enroll in school in the first place and then offer to map out their time to see where assignments can fit in.
Well I certainly do agree with that. Thank you very much for the advice. I'm starting this week. They have 3 assignments due so I will see how it goes. Thanks again!
Hi James,
Do not worry about being liked. Do what is best for the students, and that is holding them to deadlines because they will be held accountable to deadlines in the real world.
Patricia Scales
