Hi CHRISTOPHER,
Love it! I concur! A lot of students do not utilize their most important tool, which is their brain. I tell my students all the time to use their brain!!!
Patricia Scales
Its important to see that they are still interested in the content and transcend from understanding a content to application of the content matter (Im a trade instructor). The most important tool in their tool box is their brain and I encourage that its always the first tool they use.
Following up with students assignments is key because the students want to know where they stand in their learning assessment. They need to understand the importance of completing their assignments on time.
Following up with your students allows you an another opportunity to evaluate each students performance. It gives them opportunity to ask questions and, allows you to verify that your students are understanding the information discussed.
The most important reason to follow up with student assignments is so that they can get timely feedback on their understanding of issues. After all, assignments are given to them for their better understanding and for knowledge. If students do not get this timely feedback of some assignment you originally designed or decided upon as a learning or practicing opportunity, they will not have an opportunity to act upon their weaknesses, nor will they get praise which could be crucial for their advancement in class. When assignments are being followed up, students will take responsibility of their own understanding as well.
Hi Raymond,
Students need to be held accountable, otherwise some are not going to do what is required of them.
Patricia Scales
It shows the students that you are serious about the need for class preparation. It also should be reinforced that in the students' future career roles there will be assignments or tasks that must be completed for their jobs and that excuses for not completing the tasks will not be tolerated. In my class, I use the example of a practicing nurse. There are required documentation that must be completed in a timely manner (i.e.: documentation of a patient's condition or assessment of an adverse reaction). You cannot just leave the documentation to another nurse because you "were too busy", "your shift was over", or "you forgot", because this will not be tolerated.
When my students are given a reading assignment, in most cases every night. it is very important to follow up on the reading assignment by reviewing the chapters or chapter and have a Q&A session along with a short quize. That lets the student know, if they are not prepaired the next time they will be playing catch up. also lets them know i am following what i put out thier for them and will be checking the knowledge they recieved from the assignment.
By following up on student assignments the student will take the assignment more seriously. Without following up the student will think you don't care.
Hi Sandra,
Super! I am sure your students appreciate all the reminders. Your students can not say that they did not know when something was due.
Patricia Scales
It is important to let then know that you expect the work to be completed and on the date that is required. It holds them accountable. I remind the students by putting a weekly outline on my board of upcoming exams, homework or presentations that are due. This way they can not say that they didn't know it was due. I also discuss and put final exam dates on the board the first week of class as well. I find that this helps students prepare instead of waiting till the last minute.
Hi Michael,
Exactly both the instructor and student need to be held accountable. As instructors, we need to lead by example and certainly practice what we preach.
Patricia Scales
Consistency, clarity and showing importance of completion of assigned tasks, if you do not follow through neither will the students and if this gets into the work world the students will not be employable. We are focusing on future employment so expectations need to be met.
By following up on assignments lets me know how my students are really doing. If a student isnt completing or has incoorect answers....I can follow up one on one.
This also allows me to self reflect on my teaching techniques. Last, It shows the students that I mean business and will leave comments/ or encouragement for them to read.
I don't allow make ups or late assigments either. I have students for multiple classes over their course of studies, and they learn early not to show up late on a due date. Most who miss one deadline never miss another. While a "vanishing points" system may work for some classes, I think it leads them to believe that deadlines in the real world aren't flexible or optional. Time management is an essential adult skill.
I found a similar system to work for me.
I teach graphic design, so the students have an in-class, timed design challenge each week based on either that day's or the previous week's lecture. They know that these projects count toward a portion of their final grade, and they're not always at the same time of the class. They know they need to show up and stick around to collect that portion of their grade.
Following a lecture with an applied skill project also helps to reinforce what they've learned and it also separates the students who are paying attention from those who are otherwise distracted!
I think that in addition to making sure they know I am serious about their completing the assignments, following up in some way (test, applied project in class, discussion
) helps to reinforce what they've learned from those assignments.
If you don't follow up on daily or weekly assignments then there is no incentive for the student to complete the activity and there is no accountability. The student will soon stop doing the homework, because-- What's the point? You have to make it count for something (i.e. a grade) and also make it meaningful and relevant in your class discussions. For example, if you assign a reading of a story, say on cyberbullying, then you ought to have some way of assessing whether or not the students actually did the reading (a quiz, discussion questions, etc) and then you ought to spend some time in class actually discussing the story with them.
I'm glad this topic was available. I agree with the presentation. I am a strong believer in timely follow up with grades and grade comments. I have first-hand experience when the opposite occurs. Students will start to slow down in the class and even worse they will start to doubt your investment in the course. The practical benefit of being timely with grades is that the recording/posting of grades in your class runs well. There are no doubts from any student about their standing in the class. The professional benefit of this behavior is trust. The student's will trust you and your ability as taking on the role of instructor. You reputation as being a thorough and "on the ball" teacher is then spread by your students. This is an important trait to foster.
It is very important for our students to feel that their learning is valuable. I always check their reading and assignments and give feed back. It is good way to build up the students' confident about my class.
