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[yemaya]

I'm having this issue as well.  For now, I've issued posts with follow-up questions that basically force them the provide examples from the reading.  In one case, I (tactfully) corrected a mind-numbingly stupid post that I'm sure the other students recognize him as not doing the reading, but I will probably have to do what LarryC suggests.  (I've had a rubric posted since before class began, so I can flunk him with impunity if he doesn't shape up.) 

The odd/disturbing thing is that I checked this student's past grades and he's never gotten anything lower than an A- in a course.  I'm not sure whether this is a case of deciding to be lazy this semester, or more likely that he's simply gotten away with doing nothing.

[yemaya]

Sorry for the double-post.  I've got a student who continues to be a problem, in terms of commenting without doing the reading.  He's received both some individual feedback on a previous module's discussion and a general announcement I made to students reinforcing the need to do the reading and to provide specific examples in their posts that anchor them to the reading.  I've also tried follow-up questions that push him to provide more specific examples.  He responds with more vagaries. I'm wondering, at this point, if he's even got the book.  He's done well in his classes in the past.  It's unclear whether it's simply a case of other faculty (largely adjuncts) letting him bs his way through, or if there's something else going on.  I'm not sure what the right thing to do is.

He's not a disciplinary problem, but we're almost 1/4 of the way into the term and he's failing the course.  I've spoken to the powers that be, who assure me that they have my back if he continues to refuse to engage and I record the results of his "work," as long as I've made my expectations clear.  I guess I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do.  Do I email him with my concerns that he doesn't have the book, and how do I go about that?  Do I reach out to his advisor?   Do I just decide, well, I've made my expectations clear and he can take his lumps?

[snowbound]

Do I just decide, well, I've made my expectations clear and he can take his lumps?

This.

You've done your bit.  You've given him ample indications that his work isn't cutting it.  Students have a right to fail, you know.  And his performance in previous classes is neither here nor there.

[yemaya]

Do I just decide, well, I've made my expectations clear and he can take his lumps?

This.

You've done your bit.  You've given him ample indications that his work isn't cutting it.  Students have a right to fail, you know.  And his performance in previous classes is neither here nor there.

Thanks, Snowbound. 

[whipkitty]

Fantasy:  "According to my rubric, your contributions are a waste of my time.  Zero."

Wait...you mean we're not supposed to actually e-mail them that very clear point?