One of my biggest pet peeves about classes is being graded on participation and/or attendance.
When starting a new semester, the first thing I always browse the syllabus for is the section on grading. Without exception, the last three semesters I have been graded on participation and attendance in every class, and it drives me nuts.
I understand why there are participation and attendance grades and it is not all bad. It encourages students to come to class, be more engaged in the discussions and, as much as instructors might hate to admit it, it is by far the easiest way to cushion and ensure a higher grade by doing as little as possible (or knowing someone in class to sign the roll for you).
I think the idea is good, but the way it is done is just too overwhelming.
The way it has been done in most of my classes is if you show up for class you magically get awarded points, and if you don’t come you miss out on those points without any opportunity to make them up. For participation, if you bring your materials or make a comment in class you get points. If you don’t, no points for you and, again, no way to make up for those missed points.
In a few of my classes the attendance and participation grades are only taken out of a certain number of days, giving the student a few slip-up times or — heaven forbid — an actual too-sick-to-make-it-to-class day (or take one of those ever productive class-time naps).
Being graded on these things is unfair because it completely fails to take into account that life happens. Yes, we are students, but we are also adults who have lives outside of the classroom. Hopefully, most of the time, being in class does take top priority, but sometimes it just doesn’t.
At some point I am sure we have all had an instance where our jobs, health, sanity or participating in a campus event have taken priority over making it to class. I would hate to look back and know that I missed out or ignored something because I was too worried about getting ten points for sitting at my desk.
As far as participation grading goes, I feel better about being graded on actually doing something (i.e. engaging in group work, a discussion or bringing materials) rather than just showing up for class and maybe falling asleep, playing on a laptop and/or leaving early.
Still, I feel this is my education, I am paying for it and if I can be responsible enough to stay up on content and assignments and do well on tests while occasionally missing class, I should be able to do so without penalty.
Whatever the reason for not participating in or attending class, it should be up to the student to stay on top of the coursework and other class responsibilities, not the instructor to try to punish the student for having a life outside of the classroom.