Attached to this email is a nice piece on what the research says about attendance and performance. Many thanks to Chris Rust at the University of Notre Dame for passing it along.
Jim: This is an interesting article, and many of the recommendations make sense.
But this issue is one that we can easily over-think. Most of us believe that what we do in real-time classes to actual students who are physically present, is unique and valuable. Incentive systems are used throughout society to "nudge" people toward behaviors the system values. Awarding points for attendance (or deducting them for absences) is an incentive system that is easily understood and accepted by students. In some of my courses I allow a certain number of discretionary absences -- say 3. One point is deducted for the 4th absence, and the deductions double for each additional absence (i.e., 2 pts for the 5th, 4 pts for the 6th, 8 pts for the 7th, etc.). It's all in the syllabus. It takes 2 minutes to explain. The students accept it without argument, the issue never emerges again, and it results in 90%+ attendance.
Is it infantalizing? Students who intend to come to class regularly barely take notice. Students who often skip classes, skip fewer classes in my courses. Are the benefits of what they learn (that they would have missed) greater than the costs imposed by restricting autonomy and free choice? I don't know. But I like teaching in classrooms full of students, and don't feel as if they resent the system that got them there!
Steve.
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Steven J. Gilbert, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
State University of New York, College at Oneonta
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Phone: 607-436-2557 Office: FITZ 416
Home Page: http://employees.oneonta.edu/gilbersj/stevepage.htm
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________________________________
From: Teaching Breakfast List [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Greenberg, James ([log in to unmask])
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 8:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Attendance and Grades
TBers,
Attached to this email is a nice piece on what the research says about attendance and performance. Many thanks to Chris Rust at the University of Notre Dame for passing it along.
Mr. James B. Greenberg
Director Teaching, Learning and Technology Center
Milne Library
SUNY College at Oneonta
Oneonta, New York 13820
blog: The 32nd Square at http://32ndsquare.blogspot.com
wiki: The 32nd Square at http://32ndsquare.wikidot.com
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phone: 607-436-2701
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