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FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Friday, October 31, 2008

No Work?!?!?!?!

One of the issues that I am having, actually this isn't new, but students not turning in work. Especially with projects that we work on, and sometimes spend days in the media center, but no visual work is produced. I have tried having students journal, initial areas of completion, reporting the status of their project, and trying to follow up with them frequently, only to have them say, "I don't have it". I would much rather a student turn in incomplete work or SOMETHING, rather than nothing at all. This tells me the student believes their time in the media center or time in the classroom was completely uneventful and useless. I think this goes back to their perception of consequences too because at the end of the grading period they are asking why their grade was so low. I recently gave a student a generous extension of time to complete a project, in front of her mother no less, and she still did nothing. I know this goes back to work ethic, professionalism, productivity, etc. But how can I instill in students the importance of completing tasks?

3 comments:

Keio said...

We all struggle with this. Kids now just don't take to much serious. I gave a project, most of the kids did the work but waited to the last minute to complete it. You try to allow classtime so it is not so much for them to do at home but many still don't take advantage of it. This is all to common, it starts at home with structure and expectations. There are some students that really understand the importance of a good education!!!!

Dr. M said...

Hi, Teresa - I would like to address one issue you mentioned and that is students asking at the end of the grading period why their grade was so low. Students should know at any time what their grade is, and have a good understanding of the grading system as well.

Grades are usually a great motivator for most students, unfortunately too many students are unrealistic about how to improve their grade, and many believe that last minute activities and complaining may raise their grade or lower what is expected. Giving them regular and realistic feedback to graded assignments and what their current overall grade is may help them realize that their wasted class time is really hurting them.

Of course some students may always need prodding to keep them focused and on task, but make sure they all know how the grading system works and what their current grade is at any given time.

Brenda said...

Teresa, I too question why our students do not see the importance in completing assignments in a timely manner. Students have told me that they do not do homework yet they expect a passing grade. I don't know the answer. I agree with Dr. M. in giving the quick feed back about grades and their standing but I struggle with grading all those papers and (26 and 27 students per class).

We can only keep a good attitude about our jobs and continue to stress the importance of following through on all tasks
assigned. "Sooner or later" the reality of completing tasks will manifest itself to our students especially when they enter the job market and become parents!