Teaching - the state of higher ed

[tooblue]

Message exchange with a student on Microsoft Teams …

Student: Is the artwork I created the wrong size for the required layout (see attached)?

Professor: Yes, it is the wrong size. One of the main objectives of the project is to submit artwork per the prescribed size, resolution, and colour mode.

Student: I don’t understand how to make it the correct size—can you tell me how to fix it?

Professor: The correct size layout for your artwork is indicated in the project outline. The project outline can be found on the LMS. It includes a diagram. Also, we created a physical diagram actual size in class. A photo of the physical diagram actual size I created during the demonstration is available on the LMS. Additionally, I created two tutorial videos on how to create the correct size layout in both Photoshop and in Procreate and Fresco on the iPad.

Student: I just read the project outline—I have to create artwork for two layouts!

Professor: Yes, again per the in-class discussion, demonstrations, project outline, and tutorial videos you were tasked with creating artwork for two layouts. The two layouts will appear as consecutive pages in a printed book. I passed around copies of two books with artwork created by previous students from the past two years. I have brought the books with me to every class for the first five weeks of the semester.

Student: Did I see the books; is this is the same project?

Professor: Yes, I handed you one during our one-on-one consultation. I watched you flip through it as we discussed your art and proposed composition. Yes, this is the same project assigned in previous years, but the theme and subject matter for this year is different.

Student: So, my artwork will be printed in the book for this year?

Professor: No, you did not submit your artwork by the deadline. This was clearly indicated on the project outline in bold, bright red text. It was also discussed at length in class. Only art submitted by the deadline will be included in the printed book.

Student: Please, if I get it done and handed in right away can it be included in the book?

Professor: No, we already laid out the book, prepared it for printing and sent it off to the publisher in class this week. You were informed of the deadline. There was a one-week grace period for late submissions. It is now two weeks past the deadline.

… I will be waiting to hear from an Accessibility Coach and or the Associate Dean concerning the student and their accommodations.

[Moliere]

Man, Canadian students are dumb.

[falafel]

This feels like one of the interactions wuap used to post.

[tooblue]

Follow up. Sadly, this is not the first time I have had this type of exchange ...

Accessibility Coach: I’m sending this email on behalf of Student Name. They have expressed concerns regarding late submission of project work in your course.

As Student Name is unable to regularly attend your Wednesday classes due to the impact of their exceptionality, is there an alternate way they might be able to access information about what they miss since the classes are not recorded? Could you perhaps post details regarding the topics and activities covered during class on the LMS?

As well, would it be possible for you to provide a description of the in-process activities and demonstrations, and where to submit, so that Student Name will have an opportunity to complete those evaluations? I understand that they have missed multiple in-process assignments and demonstrations. Is there a way for Student Name to still submit those for marks? Also, per their accommodations is there a way for Student Name to submit the assigned project work late?

Professor: In the interest of precision, I am responding by numbering my responses to your questions …

1. I do not record my classes. My course is designated for in-person, on campus delivery. Per college policy, content for the course is designed to be delivered in-person, on campus weekly. The nature of the content in my course is captured in the course outline.
2. Per college policy, supplemental material beyond what is already provided in the course outline, project outlines and during the in-process assignments and demonstrations could be made available on the LMS at the discretion of the professor if deemed helpful.
3. Regarding the specific project work in question, supplemental notes, images of diagrams etc. created in class along with tutorial videos have been provided to students via the LMS. As of today, per the LMS monitoring tools, I can see that Student Name has not opened or downloaded the supplemental material or viewed the tutorial videos (see attached screen shot).
4. The supplemental material is provided in addition to a three-page project outline which Student Name did not view, download and per their admission read until yesterday (two weeks after the indicated deadline).
5. The Project outline provides a preface, rational, project aims and precise explanation of specifications, including diagrams, along with due dates and even a step-by-step methodology about how to start and complete the project. Additionally, the project outline describes in detail how to hand in the assigned project work. This is further explained in detail in the tutorial videos.
6. As a note of clarification, per my rights, I personally do not consent to my classes being recorded. As well, I am not contractually obliged to record or broadcast my in-class instruction.
7. The in-process assignments and demonstrations are meant exclusively to be delivered in-person on campus in the classroom. Precise instructions are provided in class. Aside from the demonstrations, much of the content is extemporaneously generated based on the participation and interaction between students.
8. Short readings are delivered to students at the beginning of class. Prior to and during the demonstrations, probing questions about the readings are asked of the students. Lively discussions between students result in the students teaching one another. This is an application of the Socratic method of teaching. Student Name has missed the opportunity to both participate and contribute to these exchanges.
9. With deference to the exceptionality of Student Name, unfortunately this type of learning cannot be simulated absent group discussions. And because of their impromptu nature, these interactions can’t be described or scripted in advance of class.
10. The readings are provided on the LMS. As well, a general description of what is to be discussed week to week is found on the course outline. Unfortunately, Student name has not viewed or downloaded the course outline or the readings which are available on the LMS.
11. Further, in process learning of this nature cannot be recorded without seeking the consent of all those present. College policy, and privacy considerations preclude recording the discussions.
12. Yes, per the accommodations policies and procedures I have agreed to accept and mark late project work from Student Name. However, as explained to the student their artwork cannot be included in the printed book. The deadline was missed.

…

[Pelado]

Sounds like Student Name f-ed around and found out.

[BigFatMeanie]

“As Student Name is unable to regularly attend your Wednesday classes due to the impact of their exceptionality…”

What does that even mean? Is that a typo or autocorrect or something?

[tooblue]

What does that even mean? Is that a typo or autocorrect or something?

No, it is not a typo. That is what was sent to me in an email a couple of days ago. It is language used by Accessibility departments in setting accommodations for students who self identify with: a learning challenge, mental health challenge or physical challenge. The departments are staffed by counsellors and social workers. They meet with students, and per their assessment assign the student an accommodation which is then forwarded to faculty. As a matter of law, the exceptionality cannot be revealed to faculty, but by law as a human rights issue faculty must meet the requirements of the accommodation.

An accommodation can require that a student is given more time to complete project work. In other instances students with certain accommodations are not required to write tests and must be provided alternate mechanisms by which their learning can be evaluated. In instances where a test is required in order to attain certification, the student can request to take the test but under circumstances other than in a testing centre.

These Accessibility departments, and accommodations are ubiquitous to all institutions of higher learning across North America and Europe. They are important departments that make a significant difference to the well-being of students. There are however challenges that come with accommodations. When a student is told they have an exceptionality, they then believe they are the exception to the rule.

Last year I had a student with an accommodation try to delay the college process for certifying she could quality for graduation. Per her accommodation, she required more time to complete project work. The dilemma was, I am contractually obliged to deliver final marks by a fixed deadline. The deadline exists to ensure the paper work for thousands of students can be done to ensure they all qualify for graduation so that a spring convocation can be planned.

The student was unsuccessful. She was given more time to complete her project work which meant she would qualify for the following fall convocation. She was not happy. "It is unfair," she said. I told her: "there are deadlines in life that cannot be changed." I was reprimanded for my bluntness.

[BigPiney]

so much coddling. We have reasonable accommodations at work, but the keyword here is reasonable. Deadlines are deadlines.

[BigFatMeanie]

Agreed about the coddling. I have daughter with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) so she had some kind of plan (can't remember what it was called) in high school and her accommodation was only for PE class - never for anything academic related. She has no accommodations at all in college.

[falafel]

Agreed about the coddling. I have daughter with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) so she had some kind of plan (can't remember what it was called) in high school and her accommodation was only for PE class - never for anything academic related. She has no accommodations at all in college.

Does she have Raynaud's as a symptom?

[BigFatMeanie]

Does she have Raynaud's as a symptom?

Oh yeah. Purple as purple can be. She takes whatever medicine one takes for Raynaud's and has been on Enbril for 5+ years.