Thursday 18 March was the Advanced Higher Graphics course deadline night, with most pupils working until the janitors threw them out of school at 9-30pm. Mid-evening, pupils phoned out for Chinese take-out, to keep us going. Despite the stress the evening was good fun.
We’ll have another late night on Tuesday 30 March, with Higher Graphics pupils.
At Royal High, school management doesn’t allow us to set ‘hard’ deadlines throughout the year: if pupils don’t bother about a deadline, they’re allowed to submit the work later during the course. The result is that most pupils allow themselves to fall significantly behind with submissions. By March, some still haven’t submitted work that was due in September.
In the past, I’ve asked school management to allow us to insist that if a deadline is missed, then the work may not be put forward to gain course credits – as is the case on design courses at university. I’m sure this would revolutionise pupils’ approach to deadlines, giving them a big incentive to keep up with work. Pupils would be less stressed in the latter stages of the course, and therefore would be less likely to fall ill, wouldn’t have their performance affected in other subjects, and crucially, would have completed asssignments available for the university interview season, which commences in February. With the new management regime here at school, perhaps I’ll resubmit my proposal.
As a reaction to the complete flexibility pupils have over deadlines, and to prevent myself being inundated with requests for support for all course elements in the latter stages of the session, nowadays I set cut-off dates for support in Advanced Higher Graphics. After a certain date, I no longer provide any support or input for a course element. This works for me, allowing me to concentrate on the work in hand. Pupils still have access to the extensive written, on-line and exemplar resources that I’ve put in place. Nevertheless, some do find themselves feeling a bit stranded, if they hit a problem with work that I’m no longer supporting.
How do other CDT departments approach deadlines? Does their school management team allow them to set ‘hard’ deadlines? I’m interested to know.
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#1 by S Corson on March 29, 2010 - 8:55 pm
I agree with you completely. Targets must be set and stuck to unless circumstances dictate that it was impossible ie illness. Without it we create a false culture, teaching students nothing about the real necessity to manage their time and plan effectively. Teachers are committed to providing essential guidance and feedback to students but this cannot be done if we do not have the time to sit and look at completed work. Nor does the ‘just another chance’ culture allow students to experience what it will be like in the real world of higher education or employment.
I have made great demands on both the students and dept staff at my school to make sure that deadlines are met and in turn this has reduced the amount of stress felt by both parties. I am backed by the SMT and guidance staff and in turn this has cut down the amount of incomplete work that we used to receive.
It is essential however to have plenty of support in place – down loadable resources, open sessions at lunchtime and after school and friday afternoon sessions as and when necessary.
Ultimately a well planned course with clear success criteria, guidance and published timelines makes sure that everyone from parent to teachers to students are on the right track and know where they should be and when.
Not on time, no excuses…..students are as capable of being responsible as teachers are.