Assignment Deadlines
I learned early in my online teaching career that it is imperative to have hard deadlines for assignments. My second semester teaching I had 34 students in my communications class. Each week students had to complete three assignments as well as participate in three discussion boards. Assuming I could structure the homework deadlines similar to my campus classes I allowed students to hand in assignments late but they received a two percent grade deduction. The morning before I had to have all assignments graded I logged on to find I had 130 assignments waiting to be graded. Needless to say that weekend was a nightmare and I learned a very valuable lesson.
I have students who are always on time with their assignments and there are always a few who miss the deadlines. It seems to follow the bell curve as does anything. Most of them are on time yet a few I have to maintain constant contact with, especially initially in any class. I try to offer helpful hints, printing out the syllabus, highlighting dates, checking every week at a certain time as to what is due. Eventually they learn but there is always one or two that never get it and I am always chasing. I understand the online student is a distance learner, but I struggle to build personal responsibility into their online experience without being too off-putting to the student.
David,
I agree that setting those deadlines is very important. I personally see more and more that many students are coming to me without any time management skills. I believe at some point it is also our responsibility to teach the students HOW to manage their workload, deadlines, time, etc. The way we provide the assignments, due dates, and reminders is important as well so we can help students manage their responsibilities.
Herbert Brown III
Being able to meet your deadlines, and deliver on what you have promised is an integral part of any job. It is so easy for a project to slide off the rails before it has even really started properly. So it is really important to ensure that you are able to deliver on time, what you have promised to deliver.
Mastering the art of meeting and managing deadlines is possible, but you need to have a plan, and keep your finger on the pulse at all times.
Setting reasonable deadlines for the students is key in helping them develop these skills.
Sean, I'm in the same situation. I've got adult students who typically work very long hours and/or living in very difficult circumstances. I've heard some horrible stories and it's unbelievable what these people are going through. Plus, another issue is internet connection. Many of these students don't live in major metro areas and so their internet service is not the most reliable.
I know that things happen in life and they can't turn work in on time and so I've become flexible with that. However, I know part of what the school is trying to teach them is meeting deadlines which will be important once they get a new job. So, it's hard to find a happy medium, but I do want to give them every chance to succeed and allow them to turn in their work because I know it means a lot to them. You have to give them credit for trying to improve their lives, and they've told me school is very important to them. I'm sure I've been taken advantage of a couple times, but on the whole I think the students are sincere and I like to work with them as far as late work.
James,
The key is to have a clear policy and expectations and clearly articulate it to students. You have to be fair; however you can make reasonable accommodations as long as you do it for everyone.
Herbert Brown III
I did the same thing but I get the students that ask for extra time but I tell them no because I would have to allow all the students to do so.
Sean,
So based on your statements, you believe we should give students every opportunity to submit work. I agree that we are in the business of educating individuals. Unnecessary punishments are not effective tools to motivate students typically. I try to give students every reasonable opportunity to succeed. I have had a few student take advantage of that flexibility, but very few in my many years of teaching.
Herbert Brown III
A co-worker once said to me that an expert is someone who has made all the mistakes.
I give some allowance since online courses are for people (typically) who have busy lives or for one reason or another they are unable to attened a class on campus.
Some of my students are dealing wiht herindous situations and are trying to do something better with their lives.
I had help getting through college and like to know that I'm giving some help for my students. Of course, if it seemed to be that the student was taking advantage I would, probably, have a different point of view but, in general, my students submit on time. Typically students have technical, medical, or a life emergency that has kept them from submitting their assignments.
Dr. Francis,
This is a problem. Have you tried to tier the responses. Maybe the first post by a certain date, a follow up by another and so forth ... just a thought.
Herbert Brown III
Christina, you are not alone. It is very disturbing to experience late assignment postings and students who wait until the last minute the post to the discussion board. Personally, I feel posting to the DB at the final minutes of the deadline does not help in the learning process, because other students may not have the opportunity to comment or respond to such posts.
Christina,
I have been in a similar situation. The important thing for all educators is to learn from our mistakes...we get better each year and continue to learn. The learning never ends.
Herbert Brown III
