Late Students
The last thing mentioned in this section is "Dealing with Chronically Late Students". When I teach the early morning classes (when tardiness is rampant) I inform my students that each day during the first 5 minutes of class there will be a question of the day. They have to be in class to earn the point (usually 1 per day). I ask easy questions (When is the mid-term?)and then allow them to use their book, notes, syllabus or ask a fellow classmate. Overall the exercise has worked (for those students who are motivated by the system). In addition, I have a no late work policy and require assignments to be turned in during the first five minutes of class.
this will work for some of the students but the major amount still think i pay to go here i can do what i want and be late if i want,
My students like to tell me that they pay for the education and they should be able to show up when they like. I like to tell them that they pay for it and they need to get their money's worth. I like to use a little story I call "The Buffet". I will tell this story right after lunch on the first day of class. I like to start by asking the class if they had a good lunch. Then I start talking about how much I like going to a buffet for lunch because I get to eat as much as I like. In short, the story goes on about how I can never leave the buffet without overeating because I want to get my money's worth. I then relate that information to the school and how we are a buffet of knowledge. I tell them "It's your money, you paid for the buffet, it's time to overeat, grab a second plate."
Hi Charles!
Great analogy - I like this one as well which I have altered a bit - "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink - BUT you can put salt on his food"!
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
When I have students late I reminded them that I am just a time keeper and that after seven infractions you will have to recourse and pay for the class agene. If I have a student that tells me that I am paying for my education and I owe him a passing grade I replay that I do not owe him a grade he has to earn it.
I like this method and it helps them to be aware of some of the class expectations as well as deadlines for assignments.
Hi James!
I commend you for being stern and reminding students of their responsibilities. However, I do believe that educators have some responsibiiity as well. Hopefully we can connect with our students in a positive manner - perhaps providing incentive for achieving personal success.
Thanks,
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I let the students know the rules the very first day and that if your late call, email, send a pigeon just let me know. But at the same time we are preparing them for real life work situations and in most jobs being late is not acceptable. How do you handle a consistently late student?
Hi Karen!
I find that consistently late students self select out of the course. If they don't, I have been lucky to work for schools which have excellent student services that can help. I personally try to connect with them and offer any help that they are willing to take. But once I feel that they are not going to be responsive regardless, I let it go. We all must learn responsibility! Sometimes we just can't help some people and as teachers/instructors/helpers, we have to come to that realization.
Keep up the good work.
Jane DAvis
ED107 Facilitator
I work in a demonstration class, so I try to start my demo right on time, usualy 10-15 minutes after class begins. If the students are late then they are loosing all of the valuable information that they "paid for". The only students that complain are those showing up late, and to that, I tell them to be on time to get your money's worth.
This is sometimes a tricky situation. I teach a late /evening class and many of my students are coming to class straight from a job. I always start on time though and take away points from any student who is habitually late. This seems to work because they do not want to lose points. Also they are forced to catch up on any thing they have missed during the introduction, which seems to deter them further from making it a habit.
Good morning Ricardo!
Great approach! It is important that students are asked to be responsible for their own actions and are held accountable - within reason.
Keep up the good work.
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
i have a lot of students that tend to be late, because of there work hours. i have a hard time getting them to come in on time. maybe i will try this out.
Hi Francisco!
I truly believe in taking responsibility for oneself. Teachers/instructors are the facilitators of learning but there MUST be a receiver. Students have to take personal responsibility with instructor encouragement and gentle, caring guidance.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Something I've tried in the past that has somewhat worked is having students actually calculate the impact of their being late. (I teach math and it also helps them brush up on their math skills.) This usually works better with longer classes because the number is bigger, but I ask students to calculate how much time is wasted if they are late 5 minutes ever class. I give them how many classes they have and they get the number of minutes and then we convert it to how much of class it is. This usually helps my students see how much time they are *actually* missing and gives them a better idea of the impact of their tardiness.
where i teach they are issued an infraction for being late and it goes against their professional grade. i tell them that i will be there at the door to greet them every day when they arrive and when the bell rings i step away from the door and they have until the door closes and then they are late ,i keep it locked until im finished taking roll annd they are forced to stand outside watching, this works pretty well as they dont want to be the one outside.
troy
Hi Troy!
It sounds like you have found something that works for you; however,I usually teach in career colleges where many students have experienced so many barriers in life that I am afraid they would just see this as one more of getting in the way of their success.
Just knowing the students population as a whole and - more specifically - knowing the students in your classroom continues to be very important.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I also make the beginning of the class important for students by giving a quiz as soon as class starts. It is a great way to get everyone focused and to start the class on time. I do not give makeup quizzes.
While I also understand that sometimes students are running late or coming from work, I value every minute of class time and believe that it is vital to begin on time.
Hi Kelly!
Good job - helping students be accountable. I don't try to penalize students but I do try to empower students by holding them accountable.
Keep up the good work!
Jane David
ED107 Facilitator
I just started teaching a very early morning class and noticed right away how bad the tardiness issue is, in comparison to my evening class.
I've been trying to think over solutions to this problem and have already figured out that the, "You're late, your work is late, therefore your grade is lagging" approach, isn't quite the motivation that they need.
I think the "Question of the Day" is a great way to get people in the door on time, to get them thinking and conversing immediately, along with relaying information that would already need to be discussed throughout the class time.
Starting tomorrow morning, I will try this approach and see where it leads...
Thanks for the suggestion!
