Challenge: How to make communication effective before and during key dates (assignments, exam etc)?

Why

• Students (and all human beings) tend to procrastinate and do things just before deadlines
• There is way more need for info and answers before deadlines like assignments and exams

Examples

Mandatory assignments

1. Be clear about where to find the facts

   A dedicated topic might be an option. Please remember, if there are more than one assignment, plan ahead if you would like one topic for each or just one shared for all formalities. Pin most important info on top.

2. Offer to organize informal study groups

   see

   Help forming study groups

3. Offer help based on progress

   Some students are working hard, some do as little they possibly can, some just needs a push on the back. Try adjusting your help so all find something of value. Kickstarting conversations or new communities might be a good idea to avoid too much noise in the community.

Informal assignments

Informal assignments are about the same as the mandatory ones - just without the urgency. Students are simply less stressed about it and many just skip it.

Adjust your communication accordingly. We all know the students should do the assignments, but many need to somehow be tricked into it (sorry all students). This is advanced, challenging, and fun 😊

Example strategy: lead by example

One strategy you might try, is to figure out what the students have not asked, but should have, and lead by example. This is how it might be done:

1. Understand what the students probably need help with In your lectures, tutoring sessions, orany digital channel, observe what students ask about. You may even know this from previous semesters.