How much "hand-holding" for 100-level class?

[geologyninja13]

I've the lead TA for a 100-level lab geography science class at a state university, in change of about 160 students in on-campus and online sections. My question is, once I've noticed that a student has poor grades and I've sent them an email or two inviting them to office hours and reminding them of course expectations, and they never reply and barely show up for class, am I a horrible person for not chasing them down further? Because I grade 110 assignments per week I have to admit that I'm not the best at noticing what concept each student is struggling with over multiple lab assignments (although I follow class-wide trends). I'm torn because I love my subject and want my students to enjoy exploring it, but if I actively reached out to all of them all the time I wouldn't have time for my own class work. My professor told me to just do my best but I'm not sure what that needs to be.

How far to you go to reach out to students in huge classes?

What can I do when my students don't give a "dam" about my class? (the number who spelled that structure with an "n" at the end during their hydrology assignment gave me a good giggle)

[dr. t]

13 hours ago, geologyninja13 said:

My question is, once I've noticed that a student has poor grades and I've sent them an email or two inviting them to office hours and reminding them of course expectations, and they never reply and barely show up for class, am I a horrible person for not chasing them down further?

"Life is like a sewer: what you get out of it depends on what you put into it."

This sounds like you putting in precisely the amount of effort you should. Some wouldn't even go that far.

[rising_star]

On 2/26/2018 at 6:15 PM, geologyninja13 said:

How far to you go to reach out to students in huge classes?

You've already gone further than I and most others would. I can't remember ever sending those kinds of emails out when I was a TA. 

On 2/26/2018 at 6:15 PM, geologyninja13 said:

What can I do when my students don't give a "dam" about my class? (the number who spelled that structure with an "n" at the end during their hydrology assignment gave me a good giggle)

Honestly, nothing. It's not your job to try to make them care about your subject if they don't already. I mean, it's great if you can but there's no needs to stress yourself out over it.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend consulting with your university's teaching center and getting their advice. It may help you put things in context and gain more perspective on what you're doing.

[timetobegin]

You'll come across students all the time who don't care about your class. They don't show up, only hand in half the assignments, and are fine with their D-grade, as long as they pass. They're adults, and it's their choice. I only e-mail them if they've missed a major assignment or test (~20% of the overall grade).

 

I focus my time on the students who DO show up and put in the effort, but aren't receiving good grades.

[pinoysoc]

From experience, you can only do so much for the students. My hours (usually) are put on the syllabus and students who care are the only ones that show up. I've had a couple (in the past) where I e-mailed them and eventually talked to them in person, but seem like they could give a fuck. Like most have said, just focus your time and energy on those who care more about getting a passing grade and actually learn. 

Students have that tendency to take advantage of your generosity. Don't over extend yourself if you don't need to do so.