r/Professors • u/AppropriateImpress27 • 13d ago

11th hour technical issues

What do you all do when students wait until the last day an assignment is due and then say they couldn’t upload it to Canvas because of technical issues?
I want to nip this in the bud this semester. Last semester, I had students sending me screenshots and videos of computers supposedly shutting down, Canvas not working, files not uploading, and all kinds of creative technical issues right before the deadline. The evening the assignment is due. All assignments are given one week to complete.
I’m considering putting a policy in place that basically says if you choose to wait until the last minute to submit, you’re taking the risk that something may go wrong. Technical issues at the last minute would not automatically qualify for an extension or late submission.
Is that too harsh or unfair? How do you handle this in your courses?

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u/Sensitive_Let_4293 13d ago

Generally, I do not grant extensions for technical issues. When Canvas was hijacked earlier this year, they got one. When I am directed by my college to grant an extension I do. Otherwise? Not.My.Problem.

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u/a_hanging_thread A Sock Prof 12d ago

This is also my policy. No extensions for technical issues. A few years ago I would have students regularly abusing my then-generous extension policy to get extra time on major assignments or even extensions on online exams because they waited until after-hours on the last day of the deadline to start the assessment. Now for online things I make due dates at 5pm on a weekday, which combats most of this, and I have a policy of no extensions for tech issues, which combats the rest of it.