Extensions vs sticking to deadlines: Making the call

The project I set regarding the posters was meant to end with a class exhibition where all the members of the class could gain information from their peers to help them piece together the history of design. I aimed to create a social learning environment while at the same time offering a reward for the students' efforts. I know that many of the students haven't finished or their work has huge gaps in terms of content.

So my dilemma is...

Do I continue with my plan knowing the importance of time management and sticking to deadlines, but as a result compromising the potential learning that could happen with completed posters or...

Do I allow them more time to ensure that the posters are finished to a high standard

and that this end learning experience is more fulfilling while perhaps sending a

message that I'm lenient with deadlines?

It’s quite clear that both sides contain pros and cons. I guess I must way up the value of each. I know that late submissions are a problem in the senior levels of this subject. I teach year 10 but I think it’s crucial to get the learners in to good habits early on. Although the students having a good grasp of the design eras is really important to me, I feel that fuelling a laid back attitude would have far more of a long term effect, and time management is a useful a life skill. I also shouldn’t forget that a handful of students did finish on time with exceptional posters. Should they be made to have their time wasted for the sake of their less organised peers?

I think I will go ahead with my original deadline. I will offer books that I feel are relevant to fill in the gaps so that students still have the information they need.

This still highlights the fact that I’m not implementing time management strategies that are effective for everyone. This is something I want to focus on.

#Teaching