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?
Hello,
When students are juggling school, work and family, it is a disservice to allow and accept make-up work without the need for extenuating circumstances. The expectation for timeliness and punctuality should be set fairly early in the course. Therefore, when a student turns in a late assignment then points should be deducted. It sets a standard and the student is prompted to manage their time.
I think it is a disservice because it sets them up to fail. When a student thinks that they can avoid the same deadlines that everyone else has to uphold, it adds to their poor time management. Everyone, I mean, everyone is juggling many things ~ whether they are the student or instructor ~ and to give them an "out" when there is no extenuating circumstances gives them the concept that they can do this in every online course. Because instructors often only have a student for one course, he/she does not know the history of the student coming in to class in terms of timely submissions. We have no way to know if the student is being honest about needing to submit make-up work without the need for extenuating circumstances. Being firm as an instructor teaches students to be more studies, more responsible, and more ready to take on greater challenges in education (e.g., Masters, Doctorate).
That's a hard one, Yvette...and I definitely struggle with it because I too have a lot to juggle so sometimes I OVER-understand.
I used to accept late assignments at anytime...I didn't want to hear the reason...simply email me once it was submitted. There were penalties that ranged from 10-35% depending on how many days late.
However, then our university adopted the policy where professors couldn't accept any late DBs and could only accept 1 late IP assignment during our last week of class.
What I then learned was that students were VERY rarely late with the DB posts...huhm...they simply made it happen. And students typically caught up with their late IP assignments prior to that last week of class.
What I learned was that students will work around the parameters set.
Life gets in the way for so many of us, students and instructors. An empathetic instructor helps create a successful learning experience for our students, yet, some boundaries are needed to establish accountability and encourage time management skills. I explain the expectation that students must plan ahead and have backup strategies in place to manage all the "life" circumstances that might interfere with their ability to meet an assignment deadline. I introduce students to the late policy at the first course meeting and let them know that makeup work is accepted only with a prior request ahead of the deadline because I have found that an open ended acceptance of late work burdens instructors and students alike. Students lose a sense of continuity and engagement with course units and the online class experience when the course becomes an "occasional" thing.
I think that allowing students to submit work late is okay. I think that students should always be encouraged to submit assignments late as this is the only way students will meet the course objectives. On the other hand, I have only seen a couple students able to complete several weeks of assignments that show a mastery of the material.
We must remember that each time we permit one student to have extra time to turn in their assignments we are being unfair to those who worked hard to meet the deadline.
That being said, if a student encounters a situation beyond his/her control (hurricane Sandy, etc.) that makes him/her unable to meet the deadline and can provide documentation to prove it, an extension should be granted.
Yvette,
What a great point. You make a great point about it being a disservice. We have to honest and upfront with our students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephen,
I agree we have to make sure we are honest with our students. I have told students before that everyone has a story to tell. You are right, we have to equally which means being equally unfair to all!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Chastity,
What an interesting term, over understanding. I think you make such good points in making the student work with your parameters.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kara,
You make a great point; we are not doing well by our students and they will lose a sense of continuity and engagement. Also, this should be a "class" which means there are more than one person that depends on you and others.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Lee,
I have issues with lateness. If I submit my report late at work, there are consequences. Do you have consequences?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Trude,
I agree that life happens, but there are times when students have to realize they can't handle everything. There is a time and a place for everything.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ginger,
I do make my students provide me a reason for me to accept late work. If I didn't, it seems to become a pattern.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think it depends on the situation. I had a student recently who had her daughter murdered. Why would anyone expect a student to work under those circumstances? Also, things also come up that are out of our control and we as instructors may occasionally be late as well when things happen.
I personally hate being late, but if my Internet goes out and I have to drive 100 miles in a blizzard to get to a place to work, then I am going to be late regardless. Students have the same things happen.
I also think if it is a one time thing, I do not really take much off, but if it is habitual, then I am more likely to be stringent with the points off unless they have a documented excuse.
Deb Moerland
I don't think allowing students to submit their work late sets a good tone for students. It allows them to believe that due dates are simply suggestions. True there are extenuating circumstances, but as a general rule, we must prioritize the work we do.
Part of my own experience in college was learning how to plan ahead, that is a skill that I find very valuable and I believe students do as well.
Deborah,
I agree that life happens and we must be empathetic regarding the situation; but that is more the exception than the norm. As an instructor, you have to decide what you can tolerate and what you can't.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Quiana,
I agree with you; I don't allow late work unless the student provides me with documentation. I find that we have to make sure students understand that allowing for late work is a privilege, not a right. It is my call.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree that it can become a problem, but that comes to light very quickly. I think you have to look at your students as a separate case scenario. Some are going to take advantage and some are going to do everything they can to do things right. After teaching for a while you learn pretty fast which ones are feeding you a line and which are sincere. Once burned, I am a lot more unforgiving about lateness. I do expect a reason...even if it's I just didn't feel like doing it. Then we need to talk.
Jeanice,
You are right, it does come to light quickly. I agree that lateness can not be tolerated.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
