I have realized in my experience that when I am CONSISTENT on following up on student assignments I have a much better outcome on students being prepared. I really feel like this is something that I need to work on personally. I sometimes feel overwhelmed in the daily duties and don't follow up as much as needed. I love all of the different ideas that many others have in this forum to help. Thanks!
I think its important that if you are asking students to do these assignments that you should "hold up your end of the bargain" so to speak and be accountable to your students by being timely in grading them. If you come across to the student that they have "wasted their time by them doing the assignment on time" because you take your time in handing them back, not only will the students think you are an instructor that doesnt care about them, but you will lose a trusting instructor-student relationship.
I am interested in any advice from other instructors on how I can give assignments (such as a study guide) to ensure students are understanding the material and that they are reading their text when I am unable to give a grade for them because of school rules.
For example if I give students an outline for the chapters because it directs them to pertinent content of whats on the test AND for their career, how can I give them credit for doing this without assigning points. I do recall when I was in college being given homework that was not graded but given to me for my OWN benefit. But when you are working with adult students who have a very busy life outside of school, they may lose respect for you as an instructor.
Any advice or ideas are welcome. Thanks ahead of time.
in a career college we are preparing them for a career. In the work world deadlines must be met and it reflects on our work ethics and ability to follow through. Following up on assignments with students, helps them prepare for these skills in their career, know that the expectations outlined in the syllabus are valid, and their success in class will be connected to these assignments. Our desire with following up is to keep them more engaged in class to ensure they complete assignments.
As an instructor, I feel following up on assignments is essential. Students need to know that the instructor is serious and understand there is a purpose for the homework being assigned. If students figure out that their homework will not be reviewed or discussed, they will not take the time to do it.
I always try and give individual feedback to students on assignments. This way they know that I am aware of their progress and that the assignments are not a meaningless exercise in time consumption. Trying to individualize my responses allows me to better connect with my students. Granted, I teach in a clinical setting and only have 8 students. This would be much more difficult to do in a larger student setting. Perhaps I would rotate individual responses on each assignment allowing me opportunity to have that touchstone moment with each student.
Following up on student assignments helps them stay abreast of up coming due dates, it allows them to check in with their instuctor if they are having difficulties grasping a concept, and it holds them accountable for the work. Many students will become disengages and come to class unprepared if they know the instructor is not going to quiz them on their assignments. Also, following up on assignments helps the instructor gage the students' level of understading of the material and determine if further review is necessary.
I feel that following up with the students to make sure their work is completed holds them accountable for their actions and responsibilities as a student to accomplish what they started for the future.
Following up with student assignments send a message to the students that you care about their progress, their learning and also gives you an opportunity to help the student(s) that might be having problems, but fail to ask.
At our school we have an advisory notice form. I use this to call to my students attention any missed assignments as well as attendance problems. The student signs the form with a copy given to them. I then forward this to our Director of Student Services. A student services advisor then contacts the student to see if there are any problems or if they need further assistance or extra tutoring. This lets the student know that we care about their success.
In my developmental math classes, the homework assignments are standardized, so I require that all work be shown by the student to receive credit for the assignment, and on the due date, I give the students a red pen and they grade their own assignments as I give the answers. After the students have graded their own papers, I give them an opportunity to ask questions and review problems that they did not get correct and/or do not understand. I then collect their papers, and give a pass/fail grade. If the student did not understand the assignment and got a majority of the questions incorrect, I give them an opportunity to redo the assignment. I have found this method to give the students more ownership of their homework assignments and the learning process the assignments are designed for.
I believe that constant assessment is invaluable in monitoring student performance. Following up with assignments and tests immediately shows that you are concerned about your student's success.
I have a box where all papers are collected at the end of the day, and a policy to return those assignments by the following class period.
I find that unless I tell students that I am going to "collect" their assignment, they generally do not do it. Sometimes for a test review I do NOT collect the work...it's obvious that some of the students are not prepared before tests. I might want to consider them handing it in, but maybe not for a grade, but as a checkpoint.
Hi LaWandra,
You have some students that will not do their work if they know that the instructor does not care enough to follow up with assignments. Instructors should want to know how their students are progressing or a lack there of in class. Following up should be done by the instructor. If the instructor is lazy then sometimes students will become lazy.
Patricia Scales
It is very important to follow up on assignments and readings that students are given, especially in an accelerated school setting.
I have observed in shadowing some instructors that when following up is not done on an assignment the student is aware that it is not being done, they will not complete any assigned assignments.
Then, now as an instructor you have created possibly some classroom managing skills that are not effectivrly utilized in the class room. This leaves a door open for laziness, I don't care attitudes, I am not going to class today because she/he will not look over the work, I can copy your words,she/he will not look at all those words for any corrections and possibly affect your attendance rate.
I enjoy doing the work along with my students, or to at least show that I have answered and reviewed all questions. Therefore, on the following day of class we will review and answer any questions that student could not find. In doing so, I have also discovered that it helps when test time comes around. It helps their grades tremendously.
Hi Lauren,
You are right! How are you going to know if your students are grasping if you don't follow up?
Patricia Scales
I use assignments to get the students involved in class. By setting the standard that I will go around the room for each questions, the students know that they need to come to class prepared so that they can be involved in the discussion. Following up also helps to identify areas that need more attention.
Following up on student assignments helps the student, and instructor, assess whether instructional content is being absorbed. It also enforces the expectations/responsibilities of the student, as outlined in the syllabus.
Hi Bridget,
I have been told that I am too reminding by another instructor. I feel guilty when I do not remind students about assignments, but I fully understand your perspective. When we were in college, our professors surely did not remind us.
Patricia Scales
I only remind my students one time that their papers are due, otherwise I start feeling like their mother. In addition for each paper that is late, I take off points and by the end of the semester this can really take its toll on the overall grade.
I think this is very important. It ensures that all the material has been covered that is being tested on.
