Some students try to see if I care about their homework so I stay on them about turning it in on time.
Never tell a student you will do something and then not do it....especially assignments and quizzes. You will lose credibility with them.
I give pop quizzes based on the assignments or on handouts that are given at the beginning of chapters. Students know on day 1 of class that quizzes are worth 10% of their grade and can not be made up if they are missed, so it also helps with attendance.
It is important for a multitude of reasons. By establishing assignments and readings, you are giving the students a guidline for what they need to know for testing purposes. If you do not follow up, the students may not be prepared for the testing. It challenges students to think and be active in their learning. It will also help to allow the instructor to develop an idea of which students are prepared for class and which are not so proper action can be taken to assist these students. There may be questions students have about their assignment and if you do not follow up with them regarding there assignments and reading, they may be too shy to come to you with the question. In this affect, you are helping those students to learn as well. It is a broad way to ensure the material is getting covered and the students are continuing to learn and study.
I have seen how following up on my students assignments shows them i respect the hard work the put in, and show i care about there development.
If you do not follow up with assignments it shows you are not engaged as the instructor. The assignments become busy work and students do not see the value do them. The students will lose since they may not learn the objectives of the class by not doing assignments.
Hi Cathy,
Hold students accountable. In the workplace they are going to be held accountable. We should give our students a real dose as to how things are in the real world.
Patricia Scales
This has been an eye opener. Being to relaxed with due dates expectations has in reality, done them more harm. Thank you for the insight. .
I believe it is important for students to believe that you actually have their learning in mind and are not simply giving busy work. If you never follow up, then they would simply stop doing the work. I often have a quiz at the beginning or end of class to check if they understand the readings or the class lecture/activity.
Patricia,
I tell them to make sure their assignments are, because usually at the end of the day there will be a small quiz. The questions on the quiz would be some of the information they were assigned to complete. If they fail the quiz, I know the homework has not been completed, but I check it anyway for confirmation.
Jacqueline Coleman
There are several reasons why it is important to follow up on assignments and readings. One reason why it is important is to ensure that students understand the content of the reading assignments. Sometimes students do the reading, but they don't comprehend what they are reading, and they do not do well on their end-of-module assessments. This can be a source of frustration for the students, and can discourage them from attempting the readings in the future. By following up on reading assignments, the instructor can answer question, expand topics, and give study skills strategies for students who are struggling with comprehension or retention of the information.
Another reason why it is important to follow up on assignments is because it allows the instructor to integrate the assignments into lectures and discussions and demonstrate for the class how the independent work that they do for the course relates to the course overall. It seems that especially with adult learners who have so many other responsibilities, it is extremely important to show them that each task that they perform in class or outside of class is relevant and related to their successful completion of the course.
Hi Robert,
Nicely stated! Students need to know that the assignments they are doing are very meaningful, and we should follow up to ensure our students are grasping various concepts. We should care about our students enough to want to know how they are doing with the learning process.
Patricia Scales
Following up on student assignments is a three-fold operation. First, the follow-up ensures the students of the assignment importance and therefore validity of all assignments moving forward. Second, following-up provides format for communication between yourself and the students in a more intimate forum; giving you opportunity to connect at a personal level. This informs the student of their importance to you as their instructor and that you care about their success. Third, the follow-up on assignments keeps you abreast of the student achievement and preparedness for up-coming assessments.
Hi Benjamin,
Never negative! Students need to be held accountable and to high standards.
Patricia Scales
I believe that taking points off for late assignments is important. It teaches the student that you are serious, and that they cannot manipulate you. It also sets the pace for the rest of the courses that will be assigned and taught. Let's them know that expectations must be met, or a penalty will be applied.
I agree that it is important to follow up with students assignments because, it lets them know that you care about their retaining the content taught, that you are serious about the due date that they are expected to hand in the assignment, and that time management is very important in the work force.
If there is no follow-up, there will be no accountability. Without accountability, passion for the course and respect for the "non-serious" instructor will decline. Without passion and respect, control of the class will slowly be lost. Without control, learning will cease to happen. Once that happens, there is no longer any reason to be in class.
Following up on assignments and activities informs students that the instructor will hold them accountable. They will learn to do the work which will prepare them for their career after graduation. A person with a good work ethic with only moderate knowledge and skill will far outshine a highly knowledgeable and skilled individual with a poor work ethic. We are setting them up for success outside of the classroom.
Question: At what point does too much attention on assignment follow-up and holding students accountable become negative?
Hi Rebecca,
You have it! We must be role models for our students and do what is required of us as educators. I like how you make it known to your students that their assignments are meaningful and not just busy work. When students understand the importance of an assignment they are more incline to do the assignment.
Patricia Scales
I tell my students that the syllabus is our contract. It outlines both of our roles and duties. How can I hold them accountable for their end of the deal if I do not hold up mine. I have to recognize that I have an obligation to my students and that is to follow up and grade in a timely manner. It also lets the student know that the assignments and readings are not fluff or fillers, but rather are meaningful and helpful to the course and the student's understanding.
To make sure that the students are comprehending the information in the lecture as well as the assignment given about it's content. If a student does not comprehend this information, then they need further instruction. Until the light bulb goes on.
