Habitual Classroom Absence
For every course, instructors experience frequent excuses from students who habitually fail to follow procedures in submitting assignments at prescribed deadlines. What limit of the excuses would you accept in allowing students to submit missed assignments, despite the prescribed late assignment policies?
Dawn ,
I do the very same thing. My discussion board is closed at the end of the week. How can it be a discussion if there is nobody to read your comment?
Shelly Crider
Extreme circumstances only, as determined by the instructor with documentation to back it up.
If my course has a discussion board they do not get credit if they do not participate during the given week it is assigned.
Sounds harse but students do respond when they know there are boundaries set regarding the due dates for assignments.
Dawn Huber
Frank,
I like this post!! I like your expereince and insight....I hope you spread this on to the students...in fact...if it is ok with you I am going to use this very information!
Shelly Crider
As a business owner I could not afford to have a person on the payroll that had an absenteeism problem or failed to complete work assignments on time. It impacted my ability to stay in business and maintain a satisfied customer base. I found that employees with absentee problems, whatever the reason, were usually poor quality workers or had weak work ethics.
As an instructor in a industrial setting, I strongly support a no excuse policy. You have a specific amount of time granted for life's events. A minuet over that allotted absent time and you retake the course. Accepting missed due dates or poor attendance in the classroom sends the wrong message to future employees.
Elodie,
I agree.....there is really no discussion if everyone is done!
Shelly Crider
When it comes to discussion board I do not accept any late submission because it defeats the purpose of participating in a dialog. However when to comes to project or written assignment I would allow one extension and then if the assignment has not been submitted as agreed then a penalty for each day late is applied. This is part of the guidelines of my classes.
Steven,
I like the the fact that students need to be dressed to learn as well. Many students do not realize that is an important part of the learning process.
Shelly Crider
I work at a Technical school where I belive half the lesson being taught here are the nuts and bolts. But the other half is showing up everyday, on time, in uniform, ready to learn. Just like a real job.
Jeanean,
Excellent post as some schools are more strict on the instructor's freedom.
Shelly Crider
Juliet,
The Intro classes are usually ones that an instructor does have to work harder at getting students involved. If you can grab them right away, you are on a good first step!
Shelly Crider
Mathew,
You know we have all been in a situation where we could have used one more day. I, too, give a few extra days IF the student has contacted me.
Shelly Crider
My first rule of thumb is to respect the protocol for the school where I am working. Some schools will allow students additional week to submit late work as a campus wide policy while others will only do so based on the nature of the excuse supported by the appropriate documentation such as a hospital release form, police report and etc.
However when allowed to set up my own policies regarding absences and late submissions I usually allow 3 late assignments and no more.
Jeanean
No matter how much I prepare, remind, poke, prod and remind my students...habitual absence haunts my classes, especially Intro-level classes. At some point, after I (and the advising staff) has done all we can, the responsibility has to fall on the students. Most have no idea how much work an online course is!!
It could be that I am the resident nice guy, but if I am provided with a reasonable excuse prior to the due date of an assignment I will work with the student to determine a timetable for submission. Many times students have real scenarios that will not allow them to complete an assignment on time (called to active duty in the military). In these situations, I feel it is important to have some flexibility. I have strict policies in regards to late submission, but I believe in leniency in many cases.
Albert,
I have always been a promoter of another chance. In the real world, we usually have another chance to make something right.
Shelly Crider
I would give them a couple chances for mistakes and after providing them specific instructions, 3 strikes and you are out!
Jennifer,
I believe I would use Donald Trump and his show as a great example!!
Shelly Crider
tammy,
What???? Students lie to you???? Yes I agree with you, not only do students lie to you, employees will lie as well. So let's teach students how important being on time is!
Shelly Crider
I teach a Career Preparation course and even in my class this is an issue. Although I find I need to "hand hold" while we create resumes/references and cover letters. I do 100% hold them accountable for their attendance for both online and in class. I run my classroom like it's a workplace and if you are not there, not participating or engaging then as Donald Trump would say... YOU'RE FIRED!
