There are many items within Connect that I use on a regular basis to increase student accountability.   The items I use most for this are simulations and Application-Based Activities, as well as the advanced features in setting up assignments and quizzes. But I also use other adaptive learning assignments and the SmartBook® activities. As instructors, we can put as many instructions out there as possible, but that does not mean students will look at them. By using activities that require their interaction, we can help ensure more accountability for their work. 

Advanced Assignment Features

In Connect, you are able to track the amount of time spent on each item, plus ensuring timelines are met and students actually read the information. With assignments, you can check if you wish to allow late assignments or not, and just how late you are willing to do so. So if a student misses that deadline, the system submits a zero (0). This helps keep students on time, especially once they see the zero populate. 

You are able to adjust timeliness, ordering of questions, reduce the grade for additional attempts and hints, as well as allowing or denying access to the eBook. By having this flexibility in assignments and quizzes, we can ensure students are putting true effort into their work, vs just trying to fly through the questions. Any shortcuts will reflect in their work. I also require a direct discussion with a student who wishes to “make up” an assignment they have missed, meaning they must speak to me directly. 

Simulations and Application-Based Activities

I use simulations consistently in almost every class, as they are incredibly relatable to almost every topic. The simulations require students to make decisions, and they must meet the percentage criteria requirements that you set. You can leave these as system defaults or adjust to your own needs in the classroom. Students can try to rush, but it is not a successful finish when this happens, thus improving that accountability. In these scenarios, in my experience, students request the opportunity to try again.  In my view, this is a positive because they care about their grade but have also realized there is not a shortcut to complete the assignment. 

Other Application-Based Activities are also exceptional in getting students to read the information required. You are again able to see how much time they take, but you can also see very clearly those who just click a button to answer just to get to the next question.   

These are two of my favorite activities to gauge just how much students have retained, but also their desire to improve as they move through the course.   

SmartBook

The SmartBook activities act much like the adaptive learning assignments, as you can determine which content to include, how long to give for completion, and what the scope of the assignment will cover—all very conveniently within the Scope Slider.  Or you can adjust manually. This allows you to really tailor your assignment to a concept you want students to hone in on or adjust to the broader spectrum.  These assignments are designed to loop back to the student in the case of an incorrect answer, providing the opportunity for them to address the concepts again.  

There are multiple features in Connect that assist in student accountability. You have many ways to configure your assignments to ensure you have tapped all the resources available within the platform.  Using even a couple will help build the accountability we need.