Korean Job Discussion Forums

dcrayne · Joined: 25 Nov 2004

Just wondering if you give your uni students homework. I have been but it seems useless. Usually, about 25% do it. It's tough because the class gets off on the wrong foot with all the students look down and saying "sorry teacher".

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I walk around and do a visual check for completeness and anybody who hasn't done it loses a mark. After the second week I generally only have one or two students who don't do it.

But, I start that at the beginning of the semester. We're about a third through now so it might be too late.

gypsyfish · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

I do give homework and most do it.

Those that don't make it easier when I have to apply the grading curve at the end of the semester.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

You could try the approach I use for high school and give optional homework assignments for candy. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it increased your rate at uni.

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 30 Aug 2004

I do give out of class assigments (which get handed in and marked)...and I tell students to finish things in the chapter. But I don't check with each student to see if their homework is done. I do remind my students throughout the semester that doing the homework will help them on their tests. And someone who consitently doesn't do their homework will lose part of their participation mark

ajstew · Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Location: Korea

I use a big plastic container. I put a label on it, stating that the homework is due 2 weeks later at a certain time, and I make it clear that all homework must be in the box at that time, 'no ifs, ands, or buts'. First week I'll have some say they forgot and will bring it next time, or I'll have some send it by email. I just say unacceptable, since they could always have passed it in early, since the box sits in my classroom all the time. That's that. At the end of the due date, I bring the box home and dump it out and check to see who did what. The next day they see the box, it is empty with a new due date sticker on it.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:05 pm Post subject:

I assign homework every day, in every class. At the this level, it is almost expected (at my school, anyway).

I tell the students that I will randomly look over (not directly check -- I put the correct answers on the web for self-checking after class) the homework of 5 students every class (each person 2x per semester). If they do not have their homework finished, they lose points. I tell them that 10% of their grade is based on homework. If they happen to be called on a day that they don't have the work done, they get a zero, and automatically lose 5% of their entire semester grade.

After about a month, I have found that 90% of the students complete their homework. Everyone listens as if they are on death row, and are curious whether or not the students called on completed their homework that day.

The fear of being called out and not having homework done is a powerful tool.

I got this idea from one of my profs at my university, so I know exactly what the students are thinking.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

All homework for my classes is done online. I check and reply to a random 1/3 of the students each week. AT the end of the semester I tally each students homework submission and they get 1 point for each one completed. If it comes late then they get zero - because my web site does not allow late submissions.

Lemonade · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: South Korea

I give many assignments. There's no way a student can just not do them because they are part of the mid-term and final grade. By turning in their assignments on time they are almost guaranteed a good grade overall. Those who choose not to turn in their assignments will do very poorly and perhaps even fail the class. This puts the fear of god in them. I always grade their work as I think that's only fair. They took the time to do the assignment, I should take the time to review it carefully and give them feedback. I think feedback is a great motivator. I remember when I wrote papers in graduate school and I couldn't wait for the feedback/comments. My students like them as well.

coolsage · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:41 am Post subject:

Richard Krainium · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

I don't give homework. Our uni freshman English courses are 2 hours a week, but only worth one credit hour (vs 3-4 credits for their major courses). Would YOU put much effort into it?? I wouldn't!!

I do a lot of group work in class, and the class can leave when the last group finishes their work. Sure speeds things up!