Because it is imperative to keep the students accountable for their actions as they pertain to the course content.
Hi James,
Great idea! I also like to use guided notes so that students can review what has been taught.
Patricia Scales
I have some review sheets that I hand out after every lecture so the students can recap on what we just covered in class. The next step is to go to lab an apply what we learned in class.
Following up on assignments and readings demonstrates to the student that they are responsible for meeting deadlines, as the instructor is responsible for meeting deadlines as well. Assignments and deadlines can be used as mock examples for employment, reinforcing time management and execution of tasks.
Hi James,
Awesome! I love your system! I know you have a very HIGH attendance rate because you have a stringent plan in place to encourage your students to attend. You are the kind of instructor that I would love to have on my faculty. You take your profession seriously, and it is obvious you care about your students success. Keep up the great work!!!
Patricia Scales
I found that not only following up, but to additionally monitor student assignments to be one of my most important tasks as a teacher, second only to my activities on the first day. I gave a series of 15 "pop" quizzes over the 28 class days of the semester, with two optional quizzes which could be taken and used to replace any two lower grades of the 1st 15. Any missed quiz was graded as Zero. The average of these grades represented 70 % of the final grade, with 15% for a term paper, 10% for incidental assignments, and 5% for the final exam. Quizzes were unannounced and given at the beginning of class and pulled after 10 minutes. I had very little problem with late or absent students. If a student had an "A" or "B+" going into the final, they did not have to take it.
By using the quizzes over the period of the semester, it allowed me to track the progress of each student, identify areas in which the student may need help or additional tutoring, and documentation to assist in counseling. Additional value by having the quizzes represent the major part of their final grade and the final exam represent such a minor part is three-fold: (1) it escaped a good part of the possibility of cheating on the final (not being worth the effort or penalty if caught), (2) it still allowed for those with a marginal failing grade to possibly bring the grade into the passing zone, and (3) as indicated above, students tended to come to class on time in order to not miss an unannounced quiz. The two optional quizzes allowed for make up of missed quizzes.
Hi Jennifer,
I agree! Our students need to understand the importance of accountability.
Patricia Scales
IT TEACHES THEM TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS WHICH IS A SKILL THEY WILL NEED IN THE FIELD.
I follow up with students assignments through group discussions of specific topic areas, in class jeapordy type games of the material covered, quizzes and tests. I try to incorporate fun ways to do assignments as well as follow up to help promote learning and keep the student focused and interested in the subject matter.
If you don't follow up with students on assignemtns they will begin to slack and not complete the assignments.
I am clear about late assignments not being accepted. I use examples of past students who have had there grade reduced at the end.
If an instructor does not take a class seriously the student's certainly won't. If an instructor does not set aside time to go over and grade assigned material student's soon realize that the class is a "blow off" class.
Hi Terry,
I too follow the same practice. Every assignment I assign, complex or simple, I follow up with the assignment.
Patricia Scales
Hi Lasharon,
I concur! We should not require students to do an assignment if we are not going to follow up.
Patricia Scales
So that they remember to turn them in on time.
Students feel more concerned and energetic to know that we as instructors actually care and are able to complete our own lively tasks and keep up with them.
Students have to understand your expectations as an instructor. If the instructor does not follow up on assignments and readings, the students will "learn" that they don't have to complete the assignments and the assignments are not weighted heavily by the instructor in course content. Even when I assign a simple assignment, I always collect the assignment or I log every student as completing the assignment. These logged assignments assist in determinig the grade for the course. In order to emphasize the importance of these assignments or readings, we will always discuss the results in class.
It is very important to follow up with student assignments due to the fact that they have taking the time to do it, therefore, the instructor should take the time to give feedback on all assignments. They may have questions about the assignment that they may feel uncomfortable about asking. I alsways follow up with my assignments.
Hi Deward,
Consistency is key, and enforcing the policy is a must.
Patricia Scales
I always follow the syllabus as far as the time lines set for assignments. If they are late once and have the points subtacted the student will typically not turn in late assignments again.But you must be consistant with everyone.
