I think students ask for extra credit, make up exams, etc. primarily for two reasons: 1) They are used to getting such things in high school. I am constantly shocked at the amount of extra credit my daughter receives in high school (she is a junior) for bringing in food for a class party, for example, or doing completely non-academic things (like making a stuffed mole for National Mole day for her Honors Chemistry class). 2) Students think it is a low (or zero) cost proposition to ask. They figure that at worst they'll get a no, so why not ask (they might even get a yes). They have no idea that some professors find such requests anything from irritating to appalling. I tell my students about the importance of impression management.
Marie **************************************************** Marie Helweg-Larsen, Ph.D. Department Chair and Associate Professor of Psychology Kaufman 168, Dickinson College Carlisle, PA 17013, (717) 245-1562, (717) 245-1971 Office Hours: Tues and Thur 9:30-10:30, Wed 10:30-11:45 http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/psych/helwegm **************************************************** -----Original Message----- From: Amadio, Dean [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 8:55 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: RE:[tips] tips digest: November 10, 2008 I'm sure I'm in the same boat with most on this one. I'm shocked at the things some students ask for - either directly or indirectly - not only about grades but the expectations for extra credit and make-up exams are really out of hand. What's implied in this article is that students are consumers and thus, deserve a good grade since they've paid for the product. I believe in the consumer movement in education very strongly; students should expect a good education. However, let's not confuse this with expecting good grades. I've met many faculty members who denounce the consumer movement precisely because they believe it's about purchasing good grades. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- <<News article about a recent study of "academic entitlement" among college students. http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=376cc625-e38f-491b-b6f6-40926f124d02>> --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
