It is very important for an instructor to follow up with student assignments with timely and substantive feedback to give the student specifics in how they can improve. Without the feedback (specific and timely), they may continue to make the same mistakes and thus, lower their grade. This in turn may lead to their loss of interest in their education.
I think that they deserve some feedback on how they are doing and some additional ideas for follow up or further study. Also, it is important for the student to know you are interested in thier progress and want them to get the most out of the coursework. Of course it gives them some incentive to do the work.
It is important to set the serious standard. I typically collect assignments at the beginning of class and let students know if they can not turn it in at that time, then it is considered late. A late penalty 10 point grade deduction is then initially imposed.
Hi Grace,
Nicely responded to! Students need to know the outcome of their assignments so that they can determine if there are any areas they are weak in.
Patricia
If students put the time into completing an assignment, you should put the time in grading and/or following up on the assignment. Otherwise if there is no follow-up they may feel you do not respect their time and it is not valuable.
Hi Rolando,
It is the instructors job to follow up with assignments. I do not tolerate not following up with assignments from my team of instructors.
Patricia
There are multiple reasons to follow up on assignments. First and foremost, it shows the students that the instructor is serious about his/her job, serious about the relevancy of the class and serious about student success. Another reason is to gauge student progress. Doing so can keep the teacher aware of any developing negative trends in student learning and progress. Finally, it shows the student(s) that we care.
Rolando A. Diaz
Following up on the assignments and readings is vital because without follow up, there is no immediate penalty or reward for a student. In my experiencee, the follow up on the assignment becomes part of the reason the student completes the work. Neglecting to give them their reward for doing so sends a message that the course and the assignment are meaningless and can cause them to disengage from the learning process.
Hi Augustine,
I am sure there are several students who have fallen behind because the instructor did not care enough to provide immediate feedback. It is a shame some students have to suffer because some instructors will not do their job.
Patricia
Hi Juli,
It is a very uncaring and nonchalant lesson that should not occur. Follow up on assignments!
Patricia
A good number of students fall behind because no one is following up on their assignments. A little patience and concern from the instructor show the student that the instructor wants to see them succeed.
Hi James,
It is important to go over the assignment/test once papers have been given back. So that everything is clear.
Patricia
When the students hand in their work, go over it, note your comments on the paper,after handing the assignments back,, go over the assignment with the whole class,so every one knows what the final out come you were looking for,and let every one know that you are available for one on one conversation about the assignment,if there was any one unsure of the grade they received.
Students are testing us all the time. When they act, they are waiting for our reaction. They learn from that feedback, even if we didn't realize we were providing it, and then they change their behavior according. Again, this might be a sub-conscious process for one or both parties, but it is certainly real. If we don't follow up on assignments given out, then students are learning that we don't value those assignments or their responses. What kind of lesson is that?!
Hi Sabrina,
Very well responded to! I can tell you are a firm believer in providing immediate feedback. Our students want and need PERSONALIZED immediate feedback. It is our business to give students feedback!
Patricia
Hi Vincent,
You are on point. If the assignment does not mean anything why assign it? Grade it so that students will know how they are progressing.
Patricia
Following up with student assignments is so very important because it establishes your crediability as the instructor. students need to know that assignments are given and will be checked, not a waste of their time with busy work.
Feedback is the online faculty member’s connection with each student. The distance student does not have the benefit of eye contact or body language with his/her faculty member, and abbreviated course duration requires that feedback be delivered in a timely manner so that it may be applied on future assignments to ensure continuous improvement and high level learning. What does a student have to say about this?
“The professor offered NO FEEDBACK to this student's entries, with the exception of one response in Week 1 when I asked him a direct question. Instead, for each of the weeks, he inserted 3-5 one-line questions addressed, "Class, ..." This is impersonal-was a human teaching the class or a machine?” (Student Comment from Survey)
This may be one student comment, but it is representative of how our online students feel about the words of their instructor. Students need to believe that THEY have a “face” online and are not just using up bandwidth. They need to have buy-in that YOU are someone who cares about teaching rather than a response system sending them automated, generic input.
As students, many of us were displeased sitting in a classroom with a professor who did not answer questions, or who snapped back with sarcastic retorts instead of guidance. In the online environment, we must establish trust and respect between student and teacher, and be very considerate and attentive to student needs and queries. It’s easy to say “Sorry, I never got your email.” This results in a lost learning opportunity for the student.
In student-centered learning, feedback is extremely important. It is necessary to concentrate the feedback on both masteries and deficiencies, and to personalize that which is needed for each student. Homogenous or generic feedback is not acceptable under these circumstances since the goal is to meet the needs of individual students in order to assist in their continuous improvement and concept mastery.
Hi Eugene,
The assignments should be followed upon by the instructor. It was important enough to assign, and it should be just as important to grade.
Patricia
Hello Lisa,
You're right! It is only fair and professional to follow up with student assignments. As an instructor you should want to know if your students are understanding.
Patricia
