Required book conundrum

[Hegemony]

I'm currently teaching a course that was converted to online hastily. For the remainder of the course, a book is required. It's a novella and costs $11. Our university bookstore will send a hard copy to students, or they can buy an electronic version online from various places. There are no other required (or even optional) purchases for this course.

I took this course over from a previous instructor at the last minute when he became ill just before the course started. He warned me that students would try to get by without acquiring the book, which is a disaster as so much of the course is centered on the book. So he makes them bring in the book, and checks their names off on a big list when they've shown that they have it.

So, converting the course from in-person to online in a great scramble, I hurriedly inserted a requirement in the syllabus that they send me a photo of themselves either holding the book or in front of the electronic book on their computer. However, nearly half the students have not sent me this, despite my reminders. I suspect they are using the fact that this current term is Pass/Fail to decide that the second half of the class will be the slacker half. I am not happy about this, because the book is the keystone of the course.

The problem is that I was in such a hurry to get the syllabus converted that I did not specify a penalty for not proving they had acquired the book. I merely said it was "Required." Theoretically the syllabus is a legal contract and I cannot add penalties after the fact.

So: what kind of leverage do I have here? What kind of penalties can I levy, all things considered?

My only thought so far is to have some questions on the upcoming test be something like, "What is the first word of the 10th page of the book?" or "Which of the following points is the author making in Essay 2? You may consult your book to answer this question."

Other thoughts?  Just buy the darn book, kids.

[Katrina Gulliver]

It's a toughie. You can't enact penalties after the fact - and making a pop quiz on what was in the 3rd sentence on p56 just makes you look petty - they won't learn the lesson to buy the book, but the lesson that you're a jerk (which is unfair, I know).
Remember that Pass-Fail still means some students can fail though....

[polly_mer]

It's a toughie. You can't enact penalties after the fact - and making a pop quiz on what was in the 3rd sentence on p56 just makes you look petty - they won't learn the lesson to buy the book, but the lesson that you're a jerk (which is unfair, I know).
Remember that Pass-Fail still means some students can fail though....

Agreed on all points. 

Do the course and send some cheerful reminders of "The book is $11 from the bookstore and they are shipping to your home.  Get your own copy today so you can read chapters 8-11 for next week's discussion!"

[downer]

Also, some e-versions of books (unless they are PDFS) may not have clear page numbers. And sometimes books are available in different editions with different page numbers.

Isn't the penalty for not getting the book the fact that students will be failing assignments because they don't have the book?

[Caracal]

My only thought so far is to have some questions on the upcoming test be something like, "What is the first word of the 10th page of the book?" or "Which of the following points is the author making in Essay 2? You may consult your book to answer this question."

Other thoughts?  Just buy the darn book, kids.

I've been putting up lots of questions like this for the online lecture quizzes that have replaced attendance since I went online. I figure that if I ask questions about content, they can just look up the answer. If the question focuses on the interpretation, it can be really hard to design a multiple choice question that won't confuse students. If you ask what video clip you showed, you can't get that information without watching the lecture. Other questions I've asked include what shirt was I wearing?" and what interrupted the lecture? A: My toddler barging into the room.

[Hegemony]

For those playing along at home, I got a message from one of the non-book-buyers today (the day two assignments based on the book are due).

"Dear Mrs. Hemegny, I went to the university bookstore to buy the book today but the bookstore was closed, so I can not buy the book. Please excuse me from the assignments that need the book, thankyou."

"Dear Stu, as I have announced repeatedly in the six weeks since the class started, the university bookstore is not open to customers, but you can order the book by mail order from the bookstore and you will have it within 2-3 days. You can also order it from the list of national retailers I have sent out in many previous emails. Finally, you can buy the electronic version instantly. It is $9 at this link [link]. That will give you time to get at least one of the assignments done before the deadline tonight. Sincerely, Dr. Hegemony."

"Dear Mrs. Hemegny, I can not afford the 9$ so I need to be excused from all assignments relying on the book."

"Dear Stu, The fact that the book is required has been on the syllabus and emphasized in many emails from the beginning of the class. I cannot excuse you from these assignments, as the book is very important to the subject matter we are learning about."

"Dear Mrs. Hemegny, I have thoughts about the subject, how about I send you my thoughts. I have many thoughts even though I can not buy the book."

"Dear Stu, I am afraid you will need to complete the same assignments as the rest of the class."

Now I am waiting for the protests about unfairness.

[Katrina Gulliver]

Ugh. I'd be more sympathetic if this were a $150 textbook. But $9?
Especially with the transparent lie about going to the bookstore.

[arty_]

Jeez. How frustrating and ridiculous. You may at the mantra repeating point "I cannot care more than they do."

[bopper]

Is the book available from their local library electronically for free?

[bopper]

Is the book available from their local library electronically for free?

[Parasaurolophus]

Your LMS might allow you to make completion of set activities a pre-requisite for accessing some part of the course. In which case, you could make uploading a photo of them with the book a pre-req for accessing a quiz or other assessment.

[Hegemony]

Neither the university library nor the local public library owns the e-book (or even a hard copy of the book).

[Chris J]

What's the name of the book?  (Just curious )

[dismalist]

Isn't the penalty for not getting the book the fact that students will be failing assignments because they don't have the book?

The above is getting lost.

Have an early quiz. See what happens. Watch them buy! :-)

[teach_write_research]

check if the publisher is giving free access. it might still take a couple of rounds of making sure they register on the site etc.