The Case of the Disappearing Student

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25.

Students greatly miss campus life, friends, and fun. Many students are fearing the uncertainty of the rest of their educational journey, as well as, what is the possibility of a obtaining a job in the future. Today’s question is how to get students to attend college classes online?

Let’s examine the Bible verse above on attendance. God reveals His answer to my question, that we need to create attendance as a good habit. Obviously, students need structure. How can a teacher accomplish this goal? Each teacher’s syllabus must include a strong attendance policy.

I see attendance like baseball, 3 strikes and you’re out. While this might sound harsh, it doesn’t matter what the policy is stated; because some student will always test it. So professors must stick to the college’s attendance policy and hold their students accountable. Whether you take attendance before or after presenting class material, students must learn early on that showing up counts whether it is for a class or a job.

The same verse states we are also not only to teach, but to encourage students. God showed up for you, so we need to show up for the students. Teachers are to be good role models. Who else is going to teach them that one’s integrity and compassion toward others counts.