I am always amazed at how students think excused absences should have NO impact on their grades. In fairness, I used to feel this way and, to a point, still do. That being said, things can get out of hand, especially with a class that meets once a week.
This semester, my once a week classes have met five times. A student missed the first class because her father is in poor health and she needed to take care of him. The second class, she showed up for about 15 minutes of a three hour class and then needed to leave to take care of her sick kids. She is a single mother and I give her a lot of credit but it also means, in the first six hours of class, she had been there for a total of fifteen minutes.
She actually was at the third class, in its entirety. Unfortunately, that didn’t last. The next class, she needed to leave early because her brother was in a serious car accident and there was no other family member to stay with him. The following class session, her car broke down (and next week, we are on break).
I don’t question that these are legitimate reasons to miss class. I am even willing to say I will give her the benefit of a doubt and accept the fact that all these things really happened. The bottom line is, she has been there for only one class session and fifteen minutes of another. Even with all the excuses being legitimate, of course it is going to affect her grade. I just have a feeling, she will complain once final grades are released. I guess time will tell.
Up Next: Teaching a Public Speaking class entirely on-line
Monday, March 2, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Short Speeches
I find it interesting the number of students who try and give a very quick speech and then sit down. The speeches for class should be between 4 ½ and 7 ½ minutes. I have some students that seem to try and speak in as little time as possible. As a result, I implemented a new policy that I had hoped would take care of the problem. I tell students if they miss the time limit by more than two minutes on either end, they are started with a B- and I will go from there.
I hoped this would show students the importance of putting time and effort into planning a speech. It has worked in other semesters but not this one. I’ve had students, this semester, give speeches that were around one and a half minutes. When they get my critique back, you can tell that they are a little disappointed with the grade. After all, a student who begins at a “B-,” and uses vocal pauses and should have a stronger introduction, could find him/herself with a “C” on the assignment and the individual then questions the grade.
Folks, if you are not going to put the time into the speech, the grade will not be so great. If you don’t care enough about the topic to find more material, then the speech will not be very powerful, and neither will the grade.
Hopefully, after reading the current critiques, seeing the grades and realizing that I am serious when I talk about the grades, they will realize I mean what I say.
Up Tomorrow—Attendance- Part two!
I hoped this would show students the importance of putting time and effort into planning a speech. It has worked in other semesters but not this one. I’ve had students, this semester, give speeches that were around one and a half minutes. When they get my critique back, you can tell that they are a little disappointed with the grade. After all, a student who begins at a “B-,” and uses vocal pauses and should have a stronger introduction, could find him/herself with a “C” on the assignment and the individual then questions the grade.
Folks, if you are not going to put the time into the speech, the grade will not be so great. If you don’t care enough about the topic to find more material, then the speech will not be very powerful, and neither will the grade.
Hopefully, after reading the current critiques, seeing the grades and realizing that I am serious when I talk about the grades, they will realize I mean what I say.
Up Tomorrow—Attendance- Part two!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Attendance
Yesterday I started ranting and raving about things that bother me. Today I will continue. It is not an unusual occurrence for a student to register for my class and then never show up. Usually it is only one or two individuals but there are semesters I finish where I have never met the student.
College policy is that these individuals need to fail the class. I used to feel bad about failing such students. I thought maybe the student got confused as to what class they registered for. I even used to send e-mails to such students, but I never got a response back for those students trying to take the class in absentia, so I gave up.
I was talking about this a couple of years ago with another adjunct and she explained that this is usually done quite deliberately. In order to get financial aid, students often have to register for a certain number of credit hours. They don’t actually have to get credit for all the classes, just register for them. Once I realized this was a game that students were playing, I no longer felt bad about failing them, I actually relished the thought and if there was anything I could do to find a way to make them have to pay back the funding, I would.
Last semester, I had a new happening. I am not sure if this is the case for all students who get financial aid or just some but, in order to get the money, the administration needs to make sure that the students have attended at least some of the class sessions come the halfway point of the semester. I got an e-mail from the administration asking about one student in particular and making sure she had been to some of the classes that took place on, or before, October 31. Guess what? Up until this date, she was at almost every class. After the date passed, I never saw her again. She was clearly playing the game.
Not only did I fail her, I sent an e-mail to administration explaining the game she was playing and how once the “magic date” passed, I never saw her. Again, I hoped this would lead to her financial aid being revoked. Unfortunately, administration told me all they needed was proof she had been there prior to 10/31. In other words, there was nothing I could do.
This semester, I have a student who showed up for the first couple of weeks of class. She came late just about every session. Since that time, I have not seen her. She was not there for any of the speaking dates set aside for the informative speech (the first speech the students give). Again, I wish there was a way I could do more than just fail these individuals.
By the way, don’t think that I am cruel or mean. A student who has true problems, who talks with me and is willing to work with me, I am willing to bend over backwards to help; it is for the students who clearly look to take advantage that I have no patience.
Up Next: The length of the speech…
College policy is that these individuals need to fail the class. I used to feel bad about failing such students. I thought maybe the student got confused as to what class they registered for. I even used to send e-mails to such students, but I never got a response back for those students trying to take the class in absentia, so I gave up.
I was talking about this a couple of years ago with another adjunct and she explained that this is usually done quite deliberately. In order to get financial aid, students often have to register for a certain number of credit hours. They don’t actually have to get credit for all the classes, just register for them. Once I realized this was a game that students were playing, I no longer felt bad about failing them, I actually relished the thought and if there was anything I could do to find a way to make them have to pay back the funding, I would.
Last semester, I had a new happening. I am not sure if this is the case for all students who get financial aid or just some but, in order to get the money, the administration needs to make sure that the students have attended at least some of the class sessions come the halfway point of the semester. I got an e-mail from the administration asking about one student in particular and making sure she had been to some of the classes that took place on, or before, October 31. Guess what? Up until this date, she was at almost every class. After the date passed, I never saw her again. She was clearly playing the game.
Not only did I fail her, I sent an e-mail to administration explaining the game she was playing and how once the “magic date” passed, I never saw her. Again, I hoped this would lead to her financial aid being revoked. Unfortunately, administration told me all they needed was proof she had been there prior to 10/31. In other words, there was nothing I could do.
This semester, I have a student who showed up for the first couple of weeks of class. She came late just about every session. Since that time, I have not seen her. She was not there for any of the speaking dates set aside for the informative speech (the first speech the students give). Again, I wish there was a way I could do more than just fail these individuals.
By the way, don’t think that I am cruel or mean. A student who has true problems, who talks with me and is willing to work with me, I am willing to bend over backwards to help; it is for the students who clearly look to take advantage that I have no patience.
Up Next: The length of the speech…
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Anything Important Going On?
The semester is in full swing and there are a number of things which happen every semester that never cease to amaze me. One of my “favorite” occurrences happened the other day. A student missed class. I tell students that they can miss five classes for any reason but after that, it lowers their grade. (I suppose if someone could document that every single absences was excused I might consider making an exception but I am tired of students leaving early for sports games, or thinking that other happenings are more important than my class).
Anyway, back to this student who missed class. He sent me an e-mail explaining that he was sick and not up to coming to class, nor did he want to infect others (quite thoughtful). He asked me if he missed anything important.
This question infuriates me. Don’t my students know that we NEVER do anything important? What on earth could possible make him think he actually missed important, or possibly even, required material? I just show up for a paycheck! I never cover important material, I just come to class for my health!
A note to students: When we teach classes, any of us, we put time and effort into our lesson plan; we believe the material we are covering is important or we wouldn’t cover it. It is very frustrating to put energy into something only to have someone suggest that it might not be important. Don’t ask that question. In this case, it is okay to assume. Always assume that there is “important” information being covered.
The better question to ask is, “As you know I missed class, I really wasn’t feeling well. What do I need to make up the missed work and stay up to date with the rest of the class?”
Up next (Tomorrow): Students who never show up!
Anyway, back to this student who missed class. He sent me an e-mail explaining that he was sick and not up to coming to class, nor did he want to infect others (quite thoughtful). He asked me if he missed anything important.
This question infuriates me. Don’t my students know that we NEVER do anything important? What on earth could possible make him think he actually missed important, or possibly even, required material? I just show up for a paycheck! I never cover important material, I just come to class for my health!
A note to students: When we teach classes, any of us, we put time and effort into our lesson plan; we believe the material we are covering is important or we wouldn’t cover it. It is very frustrating to put energy into something only to have someone suggest that it might not be important. Don’t ask that question. In this case, it is okay to assume. Always assume that there is “important” information being covered.
The better question to ask is, “As you know I missed class, I really wasn’t feeling well. What do I need to make up the missed work and stay up to date with the rest of the class?”
Up next (Tomorrow): Students who never show up!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Reflections
As we come to a new year, I often take a moment to reflect on the things that have occurred over the past 12 months. When it comes to teaching, I am very fortunate. Despite getting frustrated with my students at times, I really enjoy it. I am fortunate enough to teach for a community school where they appreciate me. I am lucky enough to teach both on the main campus and at a campus center.
While I would not want to teach all my classes at a campus center, I find the atmosphere more relaxed and find that the staff is always looking to make things easier for those of us who work there. Often times, it is the small, simple things that make a difference, like this past year they purchased some new Vending machines (including a coffee machine that freshly brews individual cups of coffee). And, when they purchased the machines, first they look to get feedback from teachers and students.
I realize they are not in the Vending Machines Business, still it is nice the way they go about it. I would not be surprised, as well, if they did some on-line checking about Vending Companies. It is amazing what you can find on-line and that websites to checkout vending companies do exist.
While I would not want to teach all my classes at a campus center, I find the atmosphere more relaxed and find that the staff is always looking to make things easier for those of us who work there. Often times, it is the small, simple things that make a difference, like this past year they purchased some new Vending machines (including a coffee machine that freshly brews individual cups of coffee). And, when they purchased the machines, first they look to get feedback from teachers and students.
I realize they are not in the Vending Machines Business, still it is nice the way they go about it. I would not be surprised, as well, if they did some on-line checking about Vending Companies. It is amazing what you can find on-line and that websites to checkout vending companies do exist.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Working With Me
The way this semester has played out and the way next semester will start, is truly very interesting. Since I teach one class made up of high school seniors, it ends later than the other classes. Italso starts later than the other classes. The class was, however, supposed to end this past Tuesday (12/23).
Due to a death in the family, I needed to cancel a class a week earlier (12/16). The truth is, with the number of student speeches still needed to be given, I really could not afford to cancel a class. Of course, that is the kind of thing you worry about afterwards.
The administration has been great in working with me. They are letting me hold one last class on January 6. This will enable me to get through everything. What makes it so interesting, however, is the little time I will have from one semester to the other. I finish this semester on the 6th and start up again on the 20th.
This makes it a little harder to prepare for the upcoming semester as I like to revise my syllabus and consider various changes during the “downtime”. Still, given the situation, I really have no complaints and appreciate the willingness of everyone to work with me.
Due to a death in the family, I needed to cancel a class a week earlier (12/16). The truth is, with the number of student speeches still needed to be given, I really could not afford to cancel a class. Of course, that is the kind of thing you worry about afterwards.
The administration has been great in working with me. They are letting me hold one last class on January 6. This will enable me to get through everything. What makes it so interesting, however, is the little time I will have from one semester to the other. I finish this semester on the 6th and start up again on the 20th.
This makes it a little harder to prepare for the upcoming semester as I like to revise my syllabus and consider various changes during the “downtime”. Still, given the situation, I really have no complaints and appreciate the willingness of everyone to work with me.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
Welcome to Black Friday! Yesterday was the day we all sat around the table, ate as much food as possible and expressed those things for which we were thankful (and a Happy Thanksgiving to all). Today officially starts the Christmas season, or perhaps I should say “Traditionally” starts the season as merchandisers have been moving up the date the season begins.
Still, today is the day one can find certain sales and deals (some of which will last). The 511 Tactical is one place people can look for various items. They look to provide items that exceed the needs of their customers, with functional innovations, while delivering exceptional quality. It might be worth checking out their merchandise.
Still, today is the day one can find certain sales and deals (some of which will last). The 511 Tactical is one place people can look for various items. They look to provide items that exceed the needs of their customers, with functional innovations, while delivering exceptional quality. It might be worth checking out their merchandise.
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