Why do we have to come to EVERY single class if we get the
material done if we come or don’t. Why does my physical presence in a class have
to be incorporated in my final grade? I know that these questions have come
across every college student’s mind, and if not theirs, at least mine.
Throughout elementary, middle, and even high school, I
understand why it is mandatory to attend all classes and why one’s attendance is
a part of their grade. However, I feel as though it should be different in
college. Being a college student is a whole other realm of education. It is
where an individual makes decisions on their own and have to live with the
consequences afterward. I feel that that isn’t really the case in terms of
class attendance if it is a portion of a grade. I can understand that the grade
can serve as motivation for more students to actually come to class without
feeling like doing so, however I feel that a person should be able to make that
decision without having actually points being taken off their grade.
If you do the work, you should be able to get the credit,
regardless of when/ where it is being done. Students should want to come to
class everyday to learn, but sometimes that is just not the case. When having a
lazy day or just not feeling like getting out of bed, an individual should be
able to find out what is due and get it done without being penalized. Of course
I am not promoting students not going to class but if the class is “easy” and you
can learn the same whether actually being present during a lesson or lecture,
why go to that class when I could spend time doing something else? Just to give
an example, I have a biology class and all the lecture notes, homework, and
tests are online so why should I get up and go to class everyday if I can do
everything online?
Personally, I would be able to still attend class (when
necessary) if attendance wasn’t required. Nonetheless I understand that not all
people have the drive to get up and do something “if they don’t have to”. I
just feel that in college certain things shouldn’t be mandatory. I should have
the power to get up and make the decision to go to class or not without
worrying about my grade being impacted or failing.
What are your thoughts?
I agree, students should not be penalized for not coming to class because we are now adults. Plus, some classes are really not worth the time and energy to go to because some teachers CANNOT teach. I'd rather stay in my dorm and teach myself at that point.
ReplyDeleteI'm failing you both now for complaining about attendance policies (Haha! just kidding).
ReplyDeleteProfessors are required to have an attendance policy, plain and simple. I went with one that I thought would help people who still needed motivation to get up and get in. I don't care for the "miss five and fail" policy. That seems grossly unfair to me.
i completely agree with everything said. attendance should only be considered if a students grade is in jeopardy, because if that student never missed any class and they are still are having trouble then that professor should work with them.. that is the only time i feel attendance should ever be a factor. i have lecture classes that have everything that i need online as well, and i always feel like me sitting in a class listening to a professor read a power point that i have the same access to is very pointless. very well said. we should petition.
ReplyDeleteI think that people should not have a attendance, some professors do not even be teaching and its quite pointless to come to a class that doesn't teach you.
ReplyDeleteI agree I believe attendance is unnecessary and it't just the professors way to make sure we come to class. However, if you are not teaching anything and we are teaching ourselves then coming to class is unnecessary and deducting points. But in one of my classes if he wasn't adding points on for attendance I would be failing sad to say.
ReplyDeleteI think attendance is needed but not to the extent of making a dent in our grades.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIf you are paying for college, then you should attend class. Teachers are taking their time of day to come in and teach, and YOU'RE paying for them. Now that's just from a college students perspective. However, if you are below the collegiate level, then I too think the same rules apply. Bring your tail to class, because it just makes you look unprofessional and lowers your educational knowledge when one doesn't show up. If we went to kindergarten up to fifth grade, and barely attended class, what will we have learned? Not even the fundamentals. We all have the power to do what we want. It's just respect. You are most likely to succeed academics when you attend class.
ReplyDeleteYou have a point about we should come to class when we want. However, Lydia has a point, if a professor is taking their time out to come then we should be respectful and come as well. My Spanish teacher doesn't play when it comes to attendance. If we miss five days then our grade will drop a whole letter grade. And if you miss more than that then your basically failing the class. So I can see why it is important and why it could be pointless.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way but I also understand why that policy is in place. Personally towards the end of this semester it's been harder and harder to go to class but I agree you should not have to worry about failing a class because of attendance, especially if you've completed every assignment.
ReplyDeleteI see what you're saying - to some extent. So classes, you may not need to show up every day. An example of this could be of that class where the classes are online, or even when the classes are open note. However, I do believe that all of your major classes should be attended as much as possible. We're in college to study a certain area and become experts as well as well-rounded smart people. The only way to become an exert, is by coming to class as much as possible to learn the material and also get information from your teachers that you might not be able to find in a google search.
ReplyDeleteI do not think you should be penalized for not attending class, especially if you have an A in the class. Life happens and sometimes things come up that you can't control. My friend goes to a college and she commutes and sometimes she does not have a ride to school because she got into a car accident and her car was totaled but she does all of her work and turn everything in on time, but she can have a B in the class and her grade will go down to a C all because of attendance which is not right.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that this has been one of my favorite blog post conversations this semester. I think everyone has made some good points.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Gearhart