Some thoughts about low attendance rate

At present days, low attendance rate is very common among colleges and universities. It makes me wonder that if there is any way to improve low attendance rate. Based on this question, I collect several ways that teachers used to improve the low attendance rate.

Firstly, I think the most common-used method is to call over. Teachers will call over at the beginning of each class and write down the names of the absent students. Usually, if someone’s name is written down more than three times, they will lose their qualifications for taking the final exam of this class, which means they fail this class and have to retake this class in the next semester.

The second method that teachers used is to ask questions at random. Normally, teachers will randomly select a student to ask a specific question, if nobody answers, it means that the selected student is absent. I think this method is less effective than the first one. Since it is possible for teachers randomly choosing all the present students instead of those absent ones.

Last but not the least, teachers will ask students to form as teams randomly. In addition, after students completing collaborative team tasks, teachers will ask each team to hand in their team list which contains names of team members. I think this is a good way to warn those absent students. Because they are not only recorded as absence, but they also lose their assignment scores.

In my opinion, teacher's teaching skills and personalities are also essential parts in improving low attendance rate. Teachers should improve their teaching skills and break through traditional teaching model to make their classes more active and interesting. If so, I think students will attend the classes voluntarily. In addition, kind and easy-going teachers are always much more popular among students. In the meantime, students also should improve their self-discipline ability and learn to appreciate the high-level education learning opportunity. 

 

Profit maximization vs. Discrimination

Let's assume a scenario. You are a manager at the decision-making level in a corporation. Unfortunately, your business has been steadily declining over the last few years. In order to regain competitive advantage, you want to hire a financial expert. After interviewing a lot of candidates, you find a "star candidate" who has excellent experience and high-end client resource. However, the candidate is in a wheelchair and the office building in which you are stationed does not have wheelchair accessibility. In fact, the building is so old that if attempts are made to build ramps and elevators, it would jeopardize its structural integrity. What will you do in this kind of situation?

Some people may think the manager should continue to hire this candidate since this candidate has everything that the manager need, such as rich working experience, related professional financial skills and list of client resource. In addition, there are some solutions to this situation. Firstly, the manager can build a wheelchair access in the building. Secondly, the manager can make this candidate working at home. Thirdly, the manager can find another working place for this candidate. Fourthly, the manager can reconstruct the office building.

Many people may consider this manager is discriminated if he doesn't hire this candidate since his or her disability. Well, personality speaking, I won't hire this candidate. Because employers always seek for solutions to maximize their interests. Hiring her means potential additional cost to construct the office building. In addition, the office is too old for reconstruction. It may fall apart! This is a risk that no employer in the world will be willing to take in the reality. 

Furthermore, there are many people out there seeking for a job. It is hard for me to believe that this candidate is the manager's only choice. I think the manager should expand their hire range and find a more suitable candidate instead of this one. 

I realize this is a sensitive topic when it comes to hire disabilities or not. I believe no matter what health condition a person is in, he or she deserves a fair chance in any competition. However, I don't recommend to hire this candidate in the previous scenario as mentioned. I'm not being discriminated. In my opinion, I think hiring this candidate against every employer's profit maximization goal. 

Personal lives and workplace

Many people think that we should separate our personal lives from work, because involving personal lives can be distract at work. However, I think whether we should separate our personal lives in the work place depends on the types of jobs, company policies and personal preference.

Many jobs require full attention and commitment during the office hour. For example, as a police officer, his or her job is to ensure the security and report any suspicious activities on the street. The officer should definitely refrain from their private lives and personal activities while he or she is on duty. If the officer fails to spot a crime and stop it because he or she was doing something personal, the consequence would be disastrous and the officer would fail his or her commitment to protect civilians. Mechanist should pay full attention while they are working, too. Otherwise, they could hurt themselves or others.

In addition, people should not be affected by their personal lives while they are trying to make a business decision. In business, the decision should be made upon the best interest for the company as a whole. If personal lives are mixed in the business process, it may cause conflict of interests. People should be unbiased and disinterested while they are making a business decision.

Moreover, some people will think strictly separate personal lives from work will make workplace dull and boring. Admittedly, constantly put ourselves under high pressure work for long hours can be very stressful. Therefor, I think lunch break, coffee break and office parties could be an excellent way to allow employees relax and recharge themselves.

Based on the nature of jobs, people should estimate whether they should strictly separate their personal lives from work or not. Based on my experience, I think appropriate personal activities during office hours can increase work effectiveness and efficiency if you can balance your work and personal life perfectly.