Students need to know that their assignments mean something. To assign something without following up is like asking them to do something without caring whether or not they do it. I was talking with my husband about some trouble he had with his students not turning in their assignments until the last minute. I recommended having them turn in outlines and rough drafts before the final is due to ensure that they're being held accountable.
It is very important to follow up with student assignments for several reasons. Some of which are,
It trains them to make deadlines when they are working in their field.
It creates an environment where everyone knows what is expected.
Students know the consequences of not meeting expectations.
It creates an atmosphere of fairness and removes any appearance of favoritism.
Hi Nelson,
It is imperative to let students know exactly what is expected of them on Day 1.
Patricia Scales
it allows you to see were the students are in terms of capturing the information given during the class. I make sure to inform the students of each assignment at the begining of the term, I give them specific dates and explain the way assignments are going to be grade it, all of the written assignments will be grade it starting at 100% if submitted the day that was expected and they will come down in percentage by 20% per day.
Hi Susan,
I love your strictness because this is exactly how it is in the real world. Deadlines are made to be adhered to not broken.
Patricia Scales
I have found with my population of students they are not use to following deadlines. They are use to being given the "extra mile". In the field, this won't work. We are always time conscious so I am a very strong about assignments being complete and handed in on time. I do not accept late assignments or incomplete assignments at all. If they are absent on the due date, work must be turned in on the very next day the student is in class - no exceptions. This is clearly stated at orientation and in my syllabus. It is amazing how the students arise to the occasion and quickle conform to the time constraint. I think that by relating it to situiations on the job the get the importance of being on time and complete.
It is incredibly important to follow up on student assignments promptly to show the importance of the material and to give students feedback regarding the work they have completed. If feedback is not given in a timely fashion, students feel the assignment really wasn't that important and will consider not turning in the next one.
I keep the assignments on the calendars and when review the beginning of class daily before getting started. I feel that if I assign something and even if it is scheduled or added on if feel that if I have the students do it I need to follow-up and give feed back or they will not know or learn the assignment if we don't do it ourselves.
To gauge whether they are understanding what they have done. Also to give feedback and encouragement if needed to further their understanding.
Some students are self motivators and take the initiative in making sure they know what they should be doing. Others simply do not (after many years of teaching, I am still a bit amazed by this). These "hang back" students will end up in trouble, with too little time to understand the course materials much less complete the assignments if we find out they have been dropping the ball too late in the course. So we need to start follow-ups early and repeat them often as one method to help the students who struggle when left on their own.
Hi Ann,
Nicely stated and so true! Let students know from Day 1, you say what you mean, and you mean what you say.
Patricia Scales
The most important reason is it give credibility to the teacher. Just like being a parent, if you say you will do something you need to carry through with it. All students test teachers at the beginning of the course. All you have to do as a teacher is follow through the first time, and most students will see that you mean business and not challenge you again. IF you don't follow through, they will continue to push and push until they get their way. Credibilitly and integrity for the teacher are on the line.
Hi Claudia,
Fair enough, and I am sure your students appreciate how caring you are.
Patricia Scales
Most of my students work. Therefore I give them enough time for assignments. However, all assignments have to be turned in by the end of their class.
Hi Marie,
Great system in place to keep up with your students as well as with yourself. Awesome job of providing immediate feedback to your students.
Patricia Scales
Hi Erica,
When students see the impact on their grade, they have a visual to hold on to.
Patricia Scales
It not only lets the students know that the instructor is serious about their work and the deadlines, but it is also preparing the students for the "real world" in which they will have to adhere to deadlines on a consistent basis. It also keeps the instructors on their toes.
First, you want to do this in a timely manner. When students receive feedback, they stay engaged and have knowledge of how they are performing and retaining the information being taught.
I see students once a week for a course I teach. I make it a point to return course work the following week it is due.
I also have in class quizzes. As soon as the quizzes are turned in, I go over the answers. This provides immediate feedback and conversation if they did not get an answer correct. I make this an opportunity for students to provide why they answered the question the way they did. This also allows me to check my own teaching.
I am new at teaching, and I feel like this is one that would keep their attention. BY following up the first time they already know that the assignments are to be taken seriously but by how much should they affect their grades?
Following up on assignments lets the students know there are consequences and that the instructor is serious about the assignment. First, the instructor needs have clear defined policies (due dates, what the consequence is for late or absent assignments, ...)so that the expectation is clear to the students. This establishes the understanding that we expect the student to do the work.
