Free Week & Late Passes

I know from over forty years of college teaching that intensive learning works best, especially for learners who are balancing many serious obligations. I also know that there are times when those obligations can be overwhelming, so I offer you one free week of 5 points for any of our regular weekly (non-exam) Discussions, along with two 48-hour late passes. Warning: Neither may be taken during the midterm or final exams.

First, decide if you need the Free Week, and then post or message me that you are redeeming your "Get-Out-of-Class-Free Card." No explanation is necessary. This is an intense course, and I want you to be able to take a break when you need it the most without worrying about your grade.

Please do not use your Free Week just because you're running late, save your 5 Free Week points for when you can't post at all.

For those regular Discussion weeks when you need more time to complete the assignments, I offer two 48-hour passes to avoid possible late penalties. Like the Free Week, hand in your Late Pass during that week by posting at the Discussion or contacting me via the Inbox or email.

How does the Free Week work?

If you use your Free Week before the course ends: I'll enter the 5 points into the Free Week area at your Grades (until then no points will appear there).

If you didn't post at all that week: You will be marked Absent with a 0 for the week, but your Total points will increase by 5 additional points as if you had participated fully.

If you do post, even just to say you're taking your Free Week: You’ll be marked Present and get a point for the week (in addition to the 5 Free Week points).

I strongly recommend that you save your Free Week for an unanticipated family emergency or personal crisis. Do not use your 5 Free Week points because you're unable to post your case study report, for example. The Free Week should be taken for an entire week when you most need offline time.

Again, let me know if and when you want your Free Week, either by posting at the Discussion or by messaging me during the week or soon after it has ended, NEVER beforehand. Don't ask me to add your Free Week points before the week has begun because doing so would incorrectly skew your current grade.

If you never take your Free Week, those 5 points will be added to your Total points at the end of the term to boost your final grade.

Robert