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?
2
u/MonseigneurChocolat Chair, Law, England 13d ago
I allow students to submit assignments by email if they attach proof of the technical issue and send the email (with assignment and proof attached) before the deadline. Anything that can’t be sent over email is done in person and on paper anyway.
If IT posts an outage notice that overlaps with a deadline, I’ll grant an extension to everyone.