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Hate to say it... Isaac Send a noteboard - 09/09/2009 08:53:55 PM
So for those who don't remember me from wotmania or who never knew I teach chemistry at a community college in North Carolina. As part of that I teach a lab that runs from 9:30 to 12:30. In this lab we have lab tests. We had our first one for this semester today. I am not going to write a test that takes three hours because I don't want to grade it (I teach six or so classes each semester so I don't have time). After everyone is done with the test today I leave. When I get back to my office I have an angry message from a student who got to my class at 10:48 (which really I doubt as I left at 10:45 so would have seen him coming) and I wasn't there or in my office but since he came "during the alotted time" I should allow him to take the test. WTF??? You don't show up for class between 9:30 and 12:30 you show up at 9:30. If you have to be late you don't DEMAND I let you take the test you explain why you were late and you ASK! As it says on my syllabus if you have a valid reason for being late you MAY get to take the test.

America is becoming waaay to much like europe we have forgotten that economic rights don't exist and that you WORK for what you get, and deserve ONLY what you earn.


But you could have circumvented the whole problem by leaving a note on the chalkboard saying 'see me in my office' and by taking the tests there for immediate grading. None of us make three hour long tests for intro labs, 10-20 minutes for most and 30-60 for that last person tends to be the rule of thumb. I always graded tests right after, and often during, the test. Partially because any student who is late, barring the majority who are all apoligies, typically have a chip on their shoulder from whatever f'd up thing made them late. Not saying you're wrong to be ticked, not at all, but the best way to deal with problems is to avoid them entirely. Leave a note on the board that you're going to your office, or wherever, and go there and grade papers, or whatever. If you can't stay around for some reason, leave a note saying you can't, and that latecomers can contact you to setup a new test time. Personally I always setup in advance a retake time and repeatedly told my students what it was and that so long as they contacted me in advance or as soon as possible we'd find a time to test, or if I'd be unavailable I'd find someone to proctor for them.

Also, having lived quite a while in Europe and hanging out with a lot of the students from there, I don't really see the connection.
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
- Albert Einstein

King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
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venting about American students - 09/09/2009 06:10:41 PM 694 Views
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