Case
Student who likes to do work at home

You have assigned your students a group project and are allowing them to work on it in class. One group approaches you and expresses their concern that one of their group members is not working during the allotted class time on the project. This student consistently turns in work on time and has never failed to turn in an assignment. You approach the student and they claim that they like to do their work at home. How do you resolve this situation?

Posted on: 04/20/13 | Views: 1438
Solution #1
I would tell the student that I love that he gets his work done at home and he does it on time, but i would advise that the reason that I give them time in class to work on it is because I want them to work on it in class. There are times when you may have questions and you can ask me then and there. I want to walk around the room and make sure that everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing and if they are not then they will get marked off because the are not participating with the whole group.

I think this is a great first step to addressing this problem.

I like how you addressed the fact that the student could receive help in class if its done in class. I agree with this solution.

I think taking this first step will help the student. It does not tell them that they can not work on the assignments at home nor does it tell them they should only work on the assignments in class. I think addressing the issue by stating that the student can ask questions is a good middle ground.

I like that you kept it positive.

I like this solution. Very positive!

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Solution #2
I would be positive with the student and let them know I do acknowledge that they do always turn in their work in on time, but when I give them time in class to work on a project they need to work. I give them this time to work with their group members and also so I can address any problems they come across. I would also make sure the students understand that they are being graded on their group work and if the student doesn't work cooperatively they could lose those points.

I think that instead of just telling the student they may lose points, put it on the rubric. Part of the project is each student rates their group members contributions and that is a certain amount of points of their grade. That way they know their peers will be rating them on their cooperativeness and it will affect their grade.

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Solution #3
Does the student do work in class when given a class assignment? Has he ever given you trouble when assigned class work. As a teacher, you are allowed to work with the students based on their needs. The student may feel overwhelmed and can't put much function into the work in that environment, and based on what you stated the student is responsible and does his work on time. So I say, why create a problem, but now you need to come on with an agreement between the student and his peers with a resolution so that all students are satisfied and on the same page. Assignment group work for the student to do at home and perhaps he could help the other students in other tasks while in class.

I agree that creating a problem is unnecessary here. Though I do like your solution of talking to the student about it and creating a plan. Maybe even for the next project have some part of it due in class each day then they have to do some in class but can finish at home.

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Solution #4
If the classroom setting is the problem, perhaps the group (or the student) could work in the library or another quiet place. I do think that if the student is responsible enough to do work at home, they are probably reasonable enough to understand the situation. If the group has divided duties, the student could just bring their part in the next day.
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Solution #5
Currently I am an intern in a middle school EBD classroom and I have a student who also completes majority of his work at home. I have to say I am just happy I am receiving quality work. I don't believe this should be an issue as long as you know it is the student who is completing it as well as not causing any disturbance during the assignment time in class I say let it go. As a teacher you need to choose your battles and I don't believe this is one worth fighting if you are getting your desired result.
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Solution #6
If this si what works for the student there has to be a way to accommodate for it. Maybe you could have the group break down the elements of the project. If each member is assigned specific aspects then this student could do their work at home. They would have to understand that they would have to communicate with each other to put the final thing together. Depending on the grade level and the project, the students could do a Google document from home or they could Skype.
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Solution #7
If students prefer to do work at home, then thats fine, but group work must be done in groups. I would have this student speak with me individually, and discuss the importance of collaborating. For group projects, assigning the tasks can help align the requirements that need to be met within the classroom.
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Solution #8
I would have the group vote on working on the assignment at home or at school. Then I would see that the rest of the group wants to get their assignment done now at school. I'd tell the student sorry, but you've got to work with the rest of the students in a way that gets you and everyone else participation points. Then I'd offer suggestions for how the student could help out.

I have to disagree with this solution. I think the point of working in groups can only benefit the student and I don't think it should be a class vote based of one student's actions.

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