Abstract
Final course grades and professionalism grades were compared to determine statistically significant differences for (1) students with 90% or higher final course grades, (2) students with 80–90% final course grades, (3) students with 70–80% final course grades, (4) students with 0–70% final course grades, and (5)all students with a final course grade. Forty-one engineering technologycourses were offered over 16 semesters (fall 2013 through fall 2018) in 100%online, face-to-face, and hybrid formats. Student populations were bothundergraduate and graduate (master’s) students in engineering technologycourses at one Midwestern university. A total of 729 students were involved inthe study. Study results indicate that professionalism grades, in terms ofattendance and punctuality, were high (median of 93.33–100%) for studentsearning 80–100% median final course grades. Students earning 70–80% meanfinal course grades were less motivated to earn high professionalism grades—earning a 75.20% mean. There was little difference between final course gradesand professionalism grades for students earning less than a 70% median for afinal course grade. The aggregate of all student final course grades (median of91.35%) in comparison to professionalism grades (median of 98.28%) yielded asignificant difference.
Highlights
Final course grades and professionalism grades were compared to determine statistically significant differences for (1) students with 90% or higher final course grades, (2) students with 80–90% final course grades, (3) students with 70–80% final course grades, (4) students with 0–70% final course grades, and (5) all students with a final course grade
The purpose of this study was to learn if students earn higher final course grades when professionalism is demonstrated through attendance and punctuality? Punctuality was included in the study because 25% of a student’s total potential course points were earned through the attendance and punctuality portion of professionalism
There was a statistically significant difference between students with 90% or higher final course grades (n = 413) in comparison to professionalism grades in terms of attendance and punctuality
Summary
Final course grades and professionalism grades were compared to determine statistically significant differences for (1) students with 90% or higher final course grades, (2) students with 80–90% final course grades, (3) students with 70–80% final course grades, (4) students with 0–70% final course grades, and (5) all students with a final course grade. Study results indicate that professionalism grades, in terms of attendance and punctuality, were high (median of 93.33–100%) for students earning 80–100% median final course grades. National data for the 2015–2016 school year showed that approximately eight million students, one out of seven students, were chronically absent, meaning that they missed 15 or more days of school (Blad, 2018) This is an academic problem that is not solved. Significance and Purpose of the Study This study is significant in drawing attention to the term professionalism as supported in the academic classroom and 100% online through the elements of attendance, punctuality, and assignment deadline behavior. The purpose of this study was to learn if students earn higher final course grades when professionalism is demonstrated through attendance and punctuality? Thomas and Higbee (2000) stated it best: “Nothing replaces being present in class” (p. 229).”
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