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Great discussion. I think Pam's observations go to the wider issue of the "point" of (physical) attendance at lectures more broadly. Especially in the context of larger first and second year classes, what is the "value added" of being physically present? These questions are being asked increasingly frequently, and loudly, in North America. With the rise of online content in myriad forms (MOOCs, iTunesU, TED talks, etc.), and the possibility of a handful of "world experts" being selected to pre-record "core" classes, there is some speculation the physical university may go the way of the physical video store. Hypothetically, students might begin to ask why they should bother to enrol in, pay for and walk through the snow to attend my second year introduction to urban geography class, when they could watch one pre-recorded by (say) Richard Florida or another figure of international renown. All from the comfort of their laptops at home (wherever in the world these may be - physical migration for undergraduate study could be rendered unnecessary). I would respond that I add value through detailed exploration of local examples, incorporating breaking news, providing opportunities for "live" Q&A, offering critiques informed by my research, grading my students' work, etc. but it's not clear how far this would get me. These are pretty serious threats to the academy as we know it (for starters, how many outside of select natural and health sciences could "earn" their salaries from research and graduate supervision alone?). Damian Collins University of Alberta >________________________________ > From: Pamela Shurmer-Smith <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Sent: Friday, February 8, 2013 7:51:33 AM >Subject: Re: attendance monitoring > > >Things have changed so much since I retired - they hardly seem like universities any more with all this monitoring. > > >I'm sure I'd never have hacked three undergraduate years if I'd had to attend every single lecture, as opposed to reading what I wanted when I wanted (and staying in bed when I wanted). Lecturers are going to have to be very certain every class is an experience that couldn't be obtained more effectively and efficiently somewhere else, or all those compulsory attenders might just start asking why. > > > Pam Shurmer-Smith > >________________________________ > From: "McGrath, Siobhan" <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Sent: Friday, 8 February 2013, 14:37 >Subject: Re: attendance monitoring > >We have also been told that as of this year we need to take attendance at all lectures and that this is explicitly because of UKBA compliance. I am very uncomfortable with this practice for a number of reasons, not least because of the logical conclusion of the practice - that someone might get deported based partially on the fact that I reported their non-attendance. And, yes, it sends the message that students should turn up in order to be 'counted' rather than because they think they might learn something, which I find damaging. > >Best wishes, >Siobhan > >--- >Siobhán McGrath, PhD >Lecturer >Lancaster University > >LEC 3, Room B24 >Tel.: 015 245 10353 >E-mail: [log in to unmask] > >Office hours during Lent Term: 3pm - 4pm on Tuesdays; 2pm – 3pm on Fridays >You do not need an appointment during the regularly scheduled office hours but you may reserve a time by signing up here: http://www.doodle.com/yqk5xxhdrk4chr64 > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 12:02:52 +0000 >From: Nick Megoran <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: attendance monitoring and the UK border agecny > >Dear Critters, > >My university introduced an attendance monitoring programme last September. My understanding is that this was a response to demands from the UK Border Agency that universities should be able to confirm that non-EU students on student visas are actually participating and attending, and concern that failure to demonstrate this could make it hard to grant visas. For my department this has involved a paper register passed round all lectures and seminars. This information is then collated by administrative staff. The university is currently devising a strategy for the next academic year. > >I am emailing because I'd like to know what has been happening elsewhere. How have your universities responded? Have you run registers of all students at all lectures, seminars, etc? If not, what have you done? I for one would find this information useful as our university discusses how to move forwards. > >And I am also interested in what resistance and critical reflection there has been. Has there been open debate, boycotts by staff or students, genuine consultation, etc? Has the data been used in other ways, for example passed to tutors for pastoral care to spot students in difficulty? > >Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences here, > >Peace - Nick > > >-- >Dr Nick Megoran, >Lecturer in Political Geography, >Co-convenor, Northumbria and Newcastle Universities Martin Luther King Peace Committee, >Honorary Chaplain to Newcastle University, >School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, >5th Floor, Claremont Tower, >Newcastle University, >Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU. > >Tel: 0191 222 6450 >Personal website: www.megoran.org >Chaplaincy website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/chaplaincy/ > >------------------------------ > > > > > >