No Late Work

Inspired by posts in the Faculty Discussion area I decided to write down my thoughts and practices concerning late work.
In my courses "Late work is not accepted". That's the stated policy and it is stated often and in a lot of places in the course.

Is it a tough policy to stick to sometimes? You bet!
After a Unit closes the next day there will always beat least 4 (usually more) Emails explaining why Labs could not be submitted by 11:55 PM the night before.

As excuses come my way, these are the facts that I rely on:

1. All Unit assignments allow 3 weeks for completion. Comprehensive assignments like the Field Trip Project allow months.
That's a lot of time. In fact, it even allows for a one week+ trip to Hawaii.
My personal quote, always stated in News, and every assignment-related Email is: "A Due Date does not necessarily mean a Do Date. Early submissions are most welcome!”
To rely on Internet connections never failing 5 minutes before Quizzes, Dropboxes or Discussions close is not a wise choice.
Lab experiments can take several days to a week to perform and write-up. Trying to complete 3 of them on the weekend (or day) they are due is also not a wise choice.
(This information is shared with everyone in First Day Emails and in every Unit Email that I send.)

2. What is done for one person must be done for all.
Opening a Dropbox or Quiz for one person to me means offering the opportunity to all students.
Where does that leave course "deadlines"? Out the window and meaningless. The course might as well not state any deadlines if they will always be extended.

3. It is not fair to other students who completed their work on time.
Also, students are awaiting the release of correct specimen names so that they can proceed with the next Unit's Labs. It is unfair to the rest of the class to hold back this feedback because one person said their Internet connection failed.

Exceptions:

1. Are there exceptions? Documented medical emergencies are a definite exception.
On occasion students have provided a copy of a doctor's note (minus sensitive information of course) and an extension is willingly granted.

2. Also "history speaks for itself". History? During the first few weeks of a semester the Instructor does not have a history with students as far as diligence and submission of assignments on time are concerned.
For the first 3 weeks my response to Internet connection and computer failures will be, "That's why we have the Extra Credit" assignment built into the course. Please take advantage of that opportunity to make up lost points."

However by mid-semester, if a student has been turning in all work on time and, if that work has been up to standards, then an Email with a "family emergency or Internet failure excuse" holds a lot more weight. Sometimes "stuff" happens and puts obstacles in the way of even our best laid plans.
I will request a phone conversation and students with legitimate excuses always seem to call.
If Unit Lab feedback and answers have already been shared with the class then I offer a student an additional Extra Credit assignment to make up points.

"What is done for one person must be done for all" comes into play here. If "history" is a factor in extending a deadline then it will be so consistently and across the board for any other hard-working students who may have experienced and expressed a hardship around a Unit deadline.

3. Another exception: What about "My Financial Aid did not come through so I could not buy the Lab Kit for Unit 1? This can be a legitimate excuse!
I always request a phone conversation and, once again, those with serious Financial Aid issues tend to call.
If the first Unit’s Lab deadline has passed and, if answers were released to the class, then I offer this student another "Extra Credit" opportunity. However, students are told this is a one time concession and that, since they now have their Lab Kit, assignments are expected to be submitted on time.
Students who could not afford their Textbook until Financial Aid came through are also given extensions for the Unit 1 Quiz.

Stopped in their tracks:

1. In all cases of Email excuses I request a phone conversation. In the majority of cases, the contact seems to stop right there. Students who legitimately feel they have a "case" tend to call me to discuss the matter further.
With the occasional student who takes online course because they prefer to avoid 'personal' contact including a phone call, those with legitimate excuses will tend to keep the Email dialogue going.

2. When students call me and, if the excuse is a computer or Internet failure, then I take the opportunity to explain "Facts 1-3" at the beginning of this Blog and honestly...most people will agree that an extension is not warranted.
It is then suggested that the student take advantage of the "Extra Credit" assignment. The person is encouraged to begin assignments earlier and to submit in advance of deadlines to allow for unforeseen 'digital' problems and/or to allow enough time to complete assignments at a library, at work, on a campus or on a friend's computer.

3. In the cases of Email excuses concerning serious medical reasons, when a doctor's note is requested, in some cases all student communication stops. Those students who had medical emergencies will tend to follow up with some form of documentation.

4. “D2L was down!”
My reply will state: “I was online all evening and D2L did not experience connection problems. Also, other students submitted their labs on time and with no problems. Please call so we can talk about this.”
Contact seems to stop right there.

5. In cases of Email excuses stating that uploading of assignments was attempted on the evening that Labs were due but none of the uploads went through. "Something was wrong with D2L and it would not let me upload my Labs".
I always go to the student's "View Progress". There I look to see if the student was online at the time they said they were. I also change to “Dropbox View” to see if any uploading attempts were made around the time in question.
If the excuse appears to be unfounded then an Email reply to the student might go something like this: "I could be wrong so, please correct me if you feel this is in error but, I took a look at your course Progress and I see no logons for you at all on the day your Labs were due".
Student contact usually stops there as well.
When "Progress" shows attempts to upload assignments then a 24 hour extension is granted.


My personal belief is that “life is about deadlines” whether it is an assignment, a doctor's appointment, reporting to work on time or boarding a plane for Hawaii.
Closing out one Unit of the Course and then moving onto the next is a good thing that works well. Students know what is expected of them along with how, where and when.
So, while some excuses will 'tear at my heartstrings', I do my best to stand firm on deadlines and I expect my students to as well.
By the way, on the morning after a Unit closes, how wonderful is that occasional Email in which a student apologizes for missing the deadline, taking full responsibility for not managing time efficiently.
And how wonderful it is to reply to that person with thanks, praise and admiration for their having taken responsibility.

Lorrie...now stepping down from her pedagogical soapbox.