Janet D. StemwedelJan 4, 2023

To say our Fall courses had really high absence rates compared to the Before Times is probably an understatement.

Today a colleague mentioned that he queried his students (mostly undergraduates in their first two years of study) about what was going on with them that made it hard to get to class.

In the past, we were hearing a lot about jobs changing work schedules, car troubles, etc. Now? Almost entirely feelings of anxiety and depression. Ooof.

Show threadThomas Berker
@drfreeride We have switched to mandatory attendance. I hate the administrative oberhead and that it excludes some students, but I strongly believe in the value of gathering people at one physical place.
Jan 4, 2023 at 7:55amWeb
Show threadJanet D. StemwedelJan 4, 2023
@snauth University policy forbids us from grading on attendance. And if we could, given the material conditions of our students’ lives, we’d lose most of our students.
Show threadThomas BerkerJan 4, 2023
@drfreeride I see! I have for many years opposed mandatory attendance but post-COVID (and more importantly after having taught little avatars on a Zoom screen) I have abandoned my resistance. Fortunately our students here in #Norway are generally well off - at least materially. Psychological problems are on the rise here as well.