Students are responsible for their own actions
Some of this module was a little too much for me. I mean that if you're teaching adult students at a college level, they should be responsible for their own actions. This is college. These are grown-ups. There is no need to baby them. They should be able to comprehend what is expected of them after the first day of class. If they can't, then their grade will reflect that.
When I began teaching online, I held firmly to this position and applied penalties for behavior rigorously. I believe this was called "instrumental" control in one of the videos. I found this to be effective only part of the time. When I really started listening to my students (mostly adult, "non-traditional" folks, many in challenging personal situations), I found that I needed to be much more flexible. My caveat is that I am flexible IF the students communicates with me frequently and keeps me posted about the issues preventing expected classroom behavior; if there is no communication, then I display no flexibility.
I believe that communication is the key here. I agree with you. I try to make it clear from day one that some things are negociable, however, it is the student's responsibility to communicate the situation with me. I am more than happy to work with someone who is open and honest than one who may try to pull the wool over my eyes. Yes, these are adults we are teaching and we should have high expectations, however, there needs to be a little wiggle room in the flexibility area or a teacher can really make his/her own life much more stressful.
Hi Lynn,
I understand your perspective, but just how much wiggle room will they have in the real world?
Patricia
I think the "real world" varies almost as much as the academic world, depending upon who is "in charge", or enforcing the rules. I agree that adults need to be held responsible for what they are told, and for handling the requirements of both a course and a job. However, there are obstacles that come up that get in the way of consistently being where we plan to be, prepared and ready to learn, or work. As long as those situations are communicated appropriately to whoever is in charge, instructor or employer, and as long as the student / worker does everything possible to meet their responsibility, some reasonable flexibility is appropriate at times.
I agree that students need to take responsibility for their actions if they plan on being productively employed. If they don't know it now, or learn it in class they certainly will in the work place.
