Jackson Community College

Section 2: General Policies and Procedures
Instructor absences, ending class meetings early

Instructor Absences
If for some reason you are unable to meet your class, please contact Kristi Laird and the center at which your class meets as soon as possible (listing of phone numbers).  As much advance notice as possible is appreciated.  Also, remember to fill out an Adjunct Instructor Absence Form.  Forms and instructions are at this site . Toward the top of the list, under faculty, you will find Adjunct Instructor Absence Form Instructions, and below it the Adjunct Instructor Absence Form.

If you must miss a class meeting, you have several options.  They are:

  Options That Result in Loss of Pay

1)  Cancellation of the Class Meeting
      You are responsible for completing the syllabus.  

 

2)  Finding a Substitute Instructor to Teach the Class
      This should be done in conjunction with Kristi Laird, Department Chair.

  Options That Do Not Result in Loss of Pay

3)   Reschedule the Class Meeting
This must be approved by all students and students must be allowed to make up any assignments that were due on the day of the canceled class meeting (including exams).

4)   Adding Time to Future Class Meetings
For example, if you cancel a 2 hour class, you could extend the next 8 class meetings by 15 minutes.  Again, this must be approved by all students and students must be allowed to make up any assignments that were due on the day of the canceled class meeting (including exams).  

 

Ending Class Meetings Early
It is important that your class meetings last the length of time for which they were scheduled.  Although students may seem thrilled to be dismissed early, this is one of the most common student complaints.  If you are having trouble filling up the scheduled amount of time, try the punctuated lecture technique.  Lecture on a single topic, then stop and assign a few problems (possibly from their homework assignment) for students to practice (possibly in groups).  This is an excellent opportunity for one-on-one time with students, especially students who are not comfortable asking questions in front of the entire class.  Once you feel students have a good understanding of that topic, lecture on the next topic, and then once again break for practice problems and questions.  If this technique does not appeal to you and you are still not using all of your class time, contact the lead faculty for your class to discuss other options.