I've been teaching a Microsoft Office course for many years. I know that this is one of the first courses that students take when they enter our school. It is an online course, so there are not any tests, only assignments. I've always been very easy going when it comes to turning in late work. Some of this is tension from the school (they do not want students to drop-out) and the fact that I just want the students to learn the material. After reading about the "Real World" examples, I wonder if I've been doing my students a service or a disservice by being so lenient when it comes to late work. Is there something that I can do differently that will keep the school happy with good retention rates, but also teach the students the importance of meeting deadlines? Or, is it better to be easy on the new students and keep my existing strategy. This strategy involves tricking the students into thinking I have deadlines when really I don't. Thanks for your comments! Steve