What should I do if a student doesn’t show up for a lesson?
It can be disappointing when a student doesn't arrive for a scheduled lesson. To ensure fairness and proper handling according to Turkish Mate policy, please follow these steps:
Steps to Take During the Lesson Time
Be Present and On Time: Enter the virtual classroom via your Teacher Dashboard a minute or two before the scheduled start time. Ensure your own camera and microphone are working.Wait Patiently: Remain in the virtual classroom for at least the first 10-15 minutes of the scheduled lesson time. Sometimes students experience slight technical delays. (The exact required waiting time might be specified in the official policy - please check it).
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Document Your Presence: It's crucial to have proof you were present.
- Stay connected in the Lesson Space classroom. The platform often logs connection times.
- As an extra precaution, take a screenshot of the empty classroom window showing the current time on your computer clock, clearly visible. Keep this for your records in case needed.
Attempt Contact (Optional but Recommended): Send a quick message to the student via the Turkish Mate messaging system (e.g., "Hi [Student Name], just checking in. Our lesson started a few minutes ago. Are you having trouble connecting?"). This shows professionalism but doesn't change the no-show policy.
Stay for the Required Time: Remain in the lesson space for the minimum waiting period defined by the platform policy (often 10-15 minutes, but verify). After this period, if the student hasn't joined, you may leave the virtual classroom.
Follow Platform Policy for No-Shows
After waiting the required time and confirming the student did not attend:
The Turkish Mate system may automatically detect the student's absence and process the lesson accordingly based on our policy.
Alternatively, there might be a button or option in your dashboard for that lesson to Report Student No-Show or similar. Follow the platform's specific procedure.
If unsure about the process, consult the official Tutor Handbook or Cancellation/No-Show Policy.
It is vital to understand and follow the platform's official policy regarding student no-shows:
[Link to Tutor No-Show/Cancellation Policy Page Here]
Payment for No-Shows
According to most platform policies, if you follow the correct procedure (being present, waiting the required time, documenting if necessary, and following reporting steps), you are typically entitled to receive full or partial payment for the scheduled lesson time, as the slot was reserved for that student. The exact payment amount is defined in the tutor agreement and platform policy.
Best Practices & Tips
- Stay Professional: Even if frustrated, maintain a professional attitude in any communication.
- Follow Up Politely (Optional): You might send a brief, polite message later via the platform (e.g., "Hi [Student Name], sorry we missed each other for our lesson today. Hope everything is okay. Let me know if you'd like to reschedule sometime.").
- Don't Make Assumptions: Students miss lessons for various reasons (emergencies, technical issues, time zone confusion). Avoid jumping to conclusions.
If a student doesn't show up: Be on time, wait the required period (usually 10-15 mins), document your presence (screenshot + platform log), and follow the official Turkish Mate procedure for reporting no-shows. You are typically compensated according to the platform policy.
