Time Management . . . The Biggest Pitfall?
With students often juggling school, work and family, is it a disservice to allow and accept make-up work without the need for extenuating circumstances?
I understand the rationale behind this policy. However, most of our students will not pass if we do not accept make up work, so we do so. Any suggestions how we can change this?
Ashley,
I started using the policy of no make up work. Students have to understand rules are for everyone including them!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
We have a policy that is given to the students up front upon beginning the course that no make-up assignments will be accepted however we do allow them two make-up exams. These exams must be taken within 3 days of the original date and are usually multiple choice. This teaches the student to really see the importance of time management.
Sarah,
I agree with your strategies. I actually understand life happens but that is where communication is so important and they need to learn this.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Sarah,
I agree with your strategies. I actually understand life happens but that is where communication is so important and they need to learn this.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Sarah,
I agree with your strategies. I actually understand life happens but that is where communication is so important and they need to learn this.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree with you that it is a disservice. Then again life sometimes get in the way. What I try to do is be fair and flexible with my students. I do encourage my students to turn in all of their work however if it is late there will be late points deducted. I then reiterate that time management is very important to their success and how it will equate to the work environment.
Cindi ,
I find that many rules apply to everyone but the student who broke them! I find if you hold students to the deadline they will rise to the challenge. I do think sometimes you are paying the price for the actions of other instructors. Stand your ground!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
By make up work do you mean extra credit or do you mean letting them turn things in late?
We do not allow extra credit but we do allow some assignments to be turned in late the first 4 weeks of class without an excuse but there is a late penalty (15% off the first 48 hours, 25% off after 48 hours but before the end of 5 days, 0 points after 5 days). We don't take any unexcused assignments late in week 5 because that is the last week of class & we don't accept discussion board posts late because that affects other students' ability to complete their assignments.
Even with that, it is hard to get students to understand that if they want to turn things in late and avoid a late penalty they have to ask beforehand & have a valid reason. I have had some that simply announced when they will be turning things in and were disappointed when they got a late penalty or when it isn't accepted for points; even if they were told they would not get points for it if they posted it because it was after 11:59 pm Sunday & they posted it anyway after getting that email and seeing the message in the grade book that said "Not posted by Sunday at 11:59 pm, may no longer be submitted for points".
Guerda,
We have to make sure we help students learn time management. I started building calendars through Outlook to help students plan then work. You could use google calendars.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I don't think it's a disservice. Many students may need the extra help or push. This is an important encouragement factor. This is the type of discouragement they would experience in a F2F setting. Online learning may leaves room for flexibility under the instructors discretion.
Sandra,
I am sorry that you had to deal with a student like that. The sad fact is many times I give students some lead way, they take advantage of it. I have stopped taking late work a all. It is in the syllabus and reminded each assignments. I don't believe in zero tolerance like you so if I have late work, I make students "sign" an agreement with the expectations explained. If they don't do it they are held to the standard. If they do and can document it I will consider it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The university that I instruct classes allows for the acceptance of late work. 35% is the maximum late penalty allowed. However, we are encouraged to include in the Course Expectations document the late policy, along with point deductions; and the fact that only one late paper can be accepted during the final week of class. Many students adhere to the policy; however, I always have some exceptions. I clearly state that the final papers must be posted prior to midnight and will not be accepted if posted at 8:00 am. I will always have a couple posted late; often the issue is technology - related. I require notification from tech support if it is a university issue. During my last session, prior to the holiday, one student felt that she should not receive any late penalties. I had granted her two weeks without penalty. I do believe her child had been ill; but without approval, I thought it unfair to other students to grant acceptance of all work without penalty. The student became incorrigible. She sent disrespectful emails and was a challenge to the end and then afterward.
I do deduct three percent per day for late submissions. I will waive points but require a reason. Zero-tolerance is extreme. There has to be a balance. However, I do adhere to school policy and do not accept late discussion board responses.
I think faculty has to be flexible but also fair to other students.
Willie ,
I don't have a problem with that. High expectations are usually met by students. You are right, you have to communicate those expectations throughout the course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The online programs that I have worked for have traditionally not accepted make up work. One program, for example, did not accept assignments that were more than three weeks late. I think that if students know on the first day of class that there is no make up work, it will push them to try to stay on track.
Katherine,
I like that policy and it is fair. I don't believe in zero tolerance of anything but that policy allows for your flexibility but it is the students responsibility.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I actually found that a policy at my school is a good one:
Late work is penalized, and instructors may choose to accept it or not. Normally, I take off 10% per week.
Extended work is not penalized, but in order to get an extension on work, the student must contact the instructor *before* the due date. This means that if they are sick or having a problem, they must be proactive.
I think this is a fair policy; just like in traditional campus classes, sometimes life gets in the way, and we need to be flexible.
Thanks,
Kate
Lois,
You have good points. I hadn't thought about the issue of favoritism. That is something to consider. I also think it is selfish to think that one person's time is more important than another's.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Krystal,
I agree with you. I don't typically give extensions they are rarely met. I have even stopped giving incompletes.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
