IT allows you to know which of them require more attention and identifies thier deficiencies.
Students like to see that their hard work is being checked by the teacher. How can we as instructors say that something is due and never collect it? In addition, if we do collect it, we have to be able to be able to grade it and give it back in a timely manner. Students enjoy when teachers have their assignments graded in a timely manner and helps them stay engaged and focused in the course.
Thnk you Mark! Our school has bled students, I feel, because they are sometimes treated like second class citizens instead of the valuable clients and important future representatives of our school and industry that they really are. Being prompt with feed-back, such as with grades as you mentioned,students know they and the work they do is important.
Hi Margaret,
Students want to know that their hard work is going to be acknowledged. As instructors, we really should be following up with assignments.
Patricia Scales
Even if an assignment is not weighted for grading, a value does have to be established. Considering the WIIFM theory, a student completing the work will assume the time wasted without this value. I have found that a brief personalized comment, even as simple as "Good job!" helps the student acknowledge and recognize that value.
I used to teach a course that included a term paper as an assignment. A very detailed set of directions was handed out early in the term, giving the students about three months to complete the paper. The first time I taught the course, some students waited to the last week to even chose their topics! Things improved after I instituted a set of deadlines: 1) topic 2) references (so many proposed references were inappropriate) 3) outline & 4) paper. Of course, not everyone met all the deadlines, but the deadlines did help the students, and the papers wern't quite so painful to read.
I could get started about the terrible spelling and grammar in the papers, but that's a different story. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to read rough drafts of papers and make corrections for my students. I'm not sure how some of these people made it through high school.
This process will allow teachers to ensure that each student's learning is streamlined and that the student is reminded of his or her responsibility to complete the assignments as required by the course.
This process will allow teachers to ensure that each student's learning is streamlined and that the student is reminded of his or her responsibility to complete the assignments as required by the course.
i really like this approach, i have often found it hard to follow up on assignments with my students. I will definitely try this strategy
Following up with student assignments is so important to keep your students on task. If you do not let the students know that you are aware that they are not completing assignments, they will not complete them. Some students do not want to do the homework and they wait for a test to find out that they do not understand the concepts.
Hi Vincent,
I concur! Assignmeents also teach students self discipline.
Patricia Scales
Hi Davina,
Absolutely! Some students have to be held accountable and more will be responsible if they are held accountable.
Patricia Scales
Hi Tena,
Awesome response! Great points made. It certainly is a two way street. Instructors should want to know if their students are grasping the information, and students should be happy for the reinforcement to test their understanding.
Patricia Scales
Well this learning module makes a very valid and credible point, and that is the fact that if we do not follow up on certain assignments, some students will not complete them. Therefore, we need to not only check that they have understood the assignment they have received, but also make sure that they have learned and could put in practice the skills we are working with them to achieve.
Assignments are meant to be done for knowledge first and credit second. Following up on assignments gives the student an idea of real world scenarios of work to be accomplished. It validates their work and promotes time management.
It important to follow up on assignments and readings given to students because it reinforces the importance of the material and the course. If assignments and readings are given to the student, the student must be able to relate the assignments to the course. It may not be clear to the students of how the assignment relates to the overall course and the objectives of the course. Following up on the assignments and readings will not only give the instructor the opportunity to relate it back to the course, it will also give the students an opportunity to ask questions or clarify things that may not have been as straight forward.
Following up on assignments keeps you as an instructor current. It shows respect to the student who is looking for a leader and at times a accountability person. On the opposite side, each student is held accountable for their assignments. Following up on the reading of the text gives insight on who is taking the course serious and who is lacking in discipline. As an instructor you find this out through announced and unannounced quizzes. Follow up is a reflection on both student and instructor. You see what's being taken in from the students and in return the students show through assignments and quizzes if the course being taught is being retained and applied.
Hi Jeff,
You are right on point! Students will take assignments at little to no value if we do not follow up on assignments.
Patricia Scales
Following up to assigned assignments accomplishes several purposes. First, it holds the learner accountable. If they know that a assignments has some meaning (grade percentage, career relevancy , act.) the learners are likely to complete the assignment on time. Secondly, evaluating assignments in a timely manner demonstrates the importance of their value. Not only to the learner, but to the facilitator as we well Lastly, following up on assignments demonstrates to the learner that they are considered valuable, and are more likely to complete the assignments in a timely manner.
I agree. I use assessments for a couple reasons. One is to gauge the students progress as well as showing them that I care about them understanding the subject fully.
