What is the best college course attendance policy (assuming that a course must h

1. 60

   Dicaeopolisposted 12 years ago

   What is the best college course attendance policy (assuming that a course must have such a policy)?
   
   I am a college professor and just started at a school that requires me to have an attendance policy. I'm interested in hearing about any creative and/or effective policies you might have experienced while school.

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2. 71

   Neerizzleposted 12 years ago

   I had this one professor that didn't REQUIRE attendance per se, but he made you sign an attendance sheet everytime you came to class. After any midterm or exam, he would be more leniant with you if you attended most of the classes but struggled than if you barely attended any. Say for example you came to every class but still failed a midterm, he would be more willing to gave you an extra credit assignment or something to help you. I think that's the best attendance policy, it gives students their freedom and lets the professor judge which students are actually serious about their grades.

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3. 60

   Baissier Deposted 12 years ago

   I am a student. It has been my observation that students will do what appears to be important to them regardless of what you choose to do. The best interaction from the class, as far as attendance is concerned, was from my Economics professor (macro). He allowed one absence the whole semester and he taught a T,Th class. He rewarded his students that followed his policy with an increase of one letter grade, which equaled a 10 percentage point boost to your overall grade. He believed that if you showed up to class, then you could understand Economics the way that he presented it. Overall I finished his course with an 88%, which is a high B, however, I missed one class so I maintained his requirement and received a boost to 98%, which is an A in his course. I took him again for the second part of Economics (micro) and finished the course with a 91%, so the boost was unnecessary because an A was 90% or higher.
   The flip side to this, I currently have an instructor who says that if you miss three classes during the semester, then you will lose one full letter grade. Also that three tardies equal one absence. I think that it would be hard to work with a deficit so I will show up to class.
   My Art professor always said that he knew the material and he didn't need to worry about getting a job. If any of us missed class, it was going to hurt who ever missed class, not him.
   I guess you can come up with any idea that you think will work. You know the material and don't have to worry too much about studying or looking for a job. Where as your students would be better off if they just showed up to class.
   You might also need to check with your departmental policy as well as the college/university policy about attendance.

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4. 59

   nabeelplusposted 12 years ago

   yes there should be attendance policy....you can keep a specific number of absenses and leaves for the course... and negative marking for coming late.

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5. 79

   BWD316posted 12 years ago

   throughout all the classes i've taken i like the attendance policy of missing no more classes then the number of time you meet in one week, so if you have class twice a week, you shouldn't miss that class more than twice in the semester.  I think this method allows for serious students to have a little less stress if they have to reasonablly miss class.  plus if the student is responisble they can also plan a mental health day lol, i do this during the semester if i haven't missed much class b/c of sickness and only if the class i would be missing doesn't have major assignments due or tests being given.  In all attendance is necessary for students to learn so just setting up a framework should help many students keep on track with attendance.

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