THEME: Reasons for absence - reflection
Reasons for absence
Examples of reasons for absence in university teaching in literature:
|
Author (year) |
Reason |
|
Oldfield et al. (2017) |
-Lack of social belonging -The teaching (material, methods, lecturer) -A consumer mentality -External circumstances (eg work, personal circumstances) |
|
Moores et al. (2019) |
-The teaching (quality, style, format) -The University’s expectations and politics -Poor scheduling -Available online material -Individual circumstances (financial situation, work, demographics, psychological factors) |
|
Sloan et al. (2020) |
-Illness -fatigue/sleep -Social activities -Work -Scheduling -Transportation -Lecturer -Topic -Family -Work at university -Weather -Sports |
Note. The different reasons for absence call for different solutions and initiatives: There is no ’magic bullet’ for low attendance. Not all reasons can be addressed by the lecturers.
Reflection/discussion
- Are the expectations regarding attendance, preparation, and participation described in your course material and adequately introduced by you in other ways?
- What reasons are given by students in the subject where you experience low attendance? Have you asked the students about the reasons?
- Do the reasons for absence in the subject where you experience low attendance call for a more flexible teaching offer that enables self-regulated, student-centered learning rather than strict attendance requirements?
References
Moores, E., Birdi, G. K., & Higson, H. E. (2019). Determinants of university students’ attendance. Educational Research, 61(4), 371-387.
Oldfield, J., Rodwell, J., Curry, L., & Marks, G. (2019). A face in a sea of faces: exploring university students’ reasons for non-attendance to teaching sessions. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 43(4), 443-452.
Sloan, D., Manns, H., Mellor, A., & Jeffries, M. (2020). Factors influencing student non-attendance at formal teaching sessions. Studies in Higher Education, 45(11), 2203-2216.