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Let's revisit this tweet with some commentary. https://twitter.com/PedagogyAmLitSt/status/1287038958111776768
Just some things from experience.
Remember: Policy and record-keeping aren't the same things.
The policy can be jettisoned-- and you can still keep attendance records.
In the beforetimes we used a sign-in sheet that we circulated.
Remember: Policy and record-keeping aren't the same things.
The policy can be jettisoned-- and you can still keep attendance records.
In the beforetimes we used a sign-in sheet that we circulated.
Having a record is useful because you can quickly scan it for folks that have gone missing. Helpful w/all classes, especially classes meeting twice a week-- where it is very easy for a student to disappear between the cracks.
You don't have to use the record for anything beyond using it as tool to check in on students.
For example, you don't have to use it to narc on students if the school comes sniffing around for attendance records because of student loans.
For example, you don't have to use it to narc on students if the school comes sniffing around for attendance records because of student loans.
Getting rid of a punitive attendance policy doesn't mean there isn't communication.
Ask that students reach out if they're missing classes because something big has happened / is happening.
Do it in the spirit of "just keep me posted."
Ask that students reach out if they're missing classes because something big has happened / is happening.
Do it in the spirit of "just keep me posted."
From experience, punitive attendance policies are baked into students.
It will likely take convincing & time for them to buy into your policies.
Students will likely interpret record keeping & the small ask of "check in" as the tools of a full-blown attendance policy.
It will likely take convincing & time for them to buy into your policies.
Students will likely interpret record keeping & the small ask of "check in" as the tools of a full-blown attendance policy.
Expect highly detailed emails composed out of fear.
Be honest in class. Keep coming back to the policy and what it means. It might take a while for students to buy in.
Be honest in class. Keep coming back to the policy and what it means. It might take a while for students to buy in.
Also, explain the pedagogical reasons for not having a punitive attendance policy. Frame it in terms of everything you know about pedagogy. You know a lot.
Students have likely had a cool, hip teacher that does weird stuff in the classroom.
Students have likely had a cool, hip teacher that does weird stuff in the classroom.
Often the "hip, cool teacher" experience isn't positive for students.
Explain what you're doing with your policies. Do it w/ sound pedagogy. Explain the ties to compassion, empathy, and everything else.
Explain what you're doing with your policies. Do it w/ sound pedagogy. Explain the ties to compassion, empathy, and everything else.
Some unis might have school-wide or college-wide attendance policies. Missing X classes means automatic failure.
It is up to you how you navigate such rules. Your position will likely dictate your response.
It is up to you how you navigate such rules. Your position will likely dictate your response.
A lot of higher ed functions through the illusion of oversight. We're kept in check because we're afraid someone will check in on what we're doing.
Again, such oversight is often an illusion.
Again, such oversight is often an illusion.
So, there are a few ways of dealing with school-wide attendance policies.
Ignore them.
Play around with them.
Use them.
Misplace some of your records.
Again, whatever you do is based on what you're comfortable with doing.
Ignore them.
Play around with them.
Use them.
Misplace some of your records.
Again, whatever you do is based on what you're comfortable with doing.
Hope these thoughts help.
