Trying to plan for next semester?

Question

I find that teachers fall into two categories - those that have more trouble with students and those that have more trouble with administrative tasks. I'm in the latter category. My classes are large and short (just got cut to 50 min). The two things I have the most trouble with and am trying to streamline are 1) attendance (attendance is very erratic and once I start teaching I dont like to stop). 2) noting who has done what assignments during class (speaking presentations, sharings, other projects). I really wanna figure out some really easy way to keep track of both things without getting sidelined from what I do well - interactions with the class. Some ideas I have thought of: Appointing a student attendance/assignment monitor (can rotate between 3 or 4) - just dont want them to be bribed by other students... Having a checklist that students come over and sign when they complete something, or if they come in late after the early attendance... Again - a concern with truthfulness.

I teach in 2 yr community college - but the same stuff would apply no matter if it was h.s. or elementary school - except college tends to have more erratic patterns of attendance and completion because one is not dealing with a 'captive' audience. I think this is especially true of a community college, where people have lots of work, income and other life challenges. But I love it.

Boss tells me I have to take attendance, b/c its tied into the general point system that accrues towards the final grade. I definitely need to keep track of who has done what...

Answer 1

I made a simple checklist to keep track of who turns in homework. It's got everyone's names on it, along with space for each day to check off (or x off) assignments. I use the same thing for major projects and field trip money. I do attendance online, but I would think the simplest thing for you to do would be to have students sign their name on a list each day.

Answer 2

Hi, I attend a community, 2 year school in Georgia, and although I am a freshmen straight out of high school, I have to tell you whether it is high school, college, or 4 year university, attendance is always going to be a problem. Just remember this, don't worry so much on attendance and those things, because if a person doesnt come to class and doesnt do assignments, then it will show in his or her grade. Just focus on teaching your class, because the ones who do their work and come to class are the ones who are trying to show you they care. Especially, when it comes to college, people tend to forget, that this is different from high school, and no one is going to "baby" you or run behind you and beg you to come to class. They know what they are doing when they miss class, and dont even come up to you or email you about their schedules or what not. When you show them that it is not a big deal, and your grade will reflect it, then I guarantee they will show up. And if they don't, oh well, because it all shows on the final. Some people, like myself, can afford to not come to class and make a descent grade on the final, others, or should I say most people cant. Therefore, focus on interactions with the class, it pays off for you, because you aren't stressing over something that really doesn't affect you. It affects them however, because it shows on their grade.

But if it means that much to you to get attendence up, then you might start a system, where you take role each class regardless, and tell them that if they come to class maybe for a full month, they get extra credit on the final exam,and tell them they are going to need it.

Answer 3

First, I'd like to know why you monitor student attendance in a college environment. As a K-12 teacher and grad student, I believe that adult students should not be graded on their attendance. If a student can do well in the class without attending lectures/seminars, it says a lot more about the quality of what is happening in the classroom than the student's work ethic. It might be time to give your adult students the freedom they deserve.

Second, I think you should check out the book that I'm linking to below. A lot of new teachers consider it to be a lifesaver. Wong and Wong sometimes come across as a bit strict, but they talk in depth about ways to establish classroom routines in everything from taking attendance to monitoring student progress. Their routines mainly deal with administrative and classroom management issues, and once you've got the routines in place you'll find that the rest of the learning comes a lot more easily.

Answer 4

What are you teaching, as in which subject area?

I teach high school Spanish, but even in my upper-level courses I always start with a "sponge activity"- a 5 minute activity I can put on the board that the kids do while I take care of administrative stuff like attendance and checking in, collecting, or passing back work. The activity is always related to what we're studying so it's not just random fluff. Would this work for you?

Answer 5

Well.....if they are doing assignments/work shouldn't they be turning it in to you? So if they are turning it in, you will know who was there (because if they aren't in class they can't give you their work)....and you will know if they did the work..because they have to turn it in. Also, if you pass back a test or assignment....whoever's test is still in the pile at the end of class means they weren't there. As far as speaking presentations....you should have some kind of rubric that you use to grade them as they give their presentation (or else how are you gonna remember later how they did). As far as participating in class...and sharing ideas, etc. unless it is part of their grade....don;t worry about it....but if it is part of the grade...get rid of it! It's impossible to check off everytime Bob and Charlie, etc participates. (Well..it could be more important in a foreign language, music, etc. type classes that someone participates)