I am required to respond to an email within 24 hours. I sometimes teach 4 classes each term, so it sometimes is hectic. After working as a pharmacist in retail settings for 20 years, in which every task had to be completed within a certain amount of minutes, the 24 hour response time to an email is nothing.
Renee,
Many institutions have a 24 or 48 hour rule about responding to students. You seem to be using a variety of communication tools. Thanks!
We are asked as instructors to make sure we respond back to a student within 24 hours when they email us through the class. This usually works and at times they even become anxious because you are not sitting right at the computer when they write! I do use emails when I need to communicate with a student who needs private communication and do not use the chat rooms or the discussion boards for this. R. Waters
Ann,
Have you provided feedback to your school to help them understand that you do not have to be a 24/7 instructor and a 24 or 48 hour rule for answering emails is appropriate?
Our rules are set up by the school I teach for. I answer email every single day, including weekends and holidays. My school expects this from the instructors. This opens communication with the student and I try to make them comfortable emailing me by encouraging this.
robert,
Great "rules." It's wonderful that you are teaching your students good email habits. Thanks!
The only “rule†I have for emails from my students is basic Email Etiquette. I ask them to always begin their emails by addressing it to the person to whom they are writing. Sign their emails with their First and Last name and indicate the course number. I also ask for the message of the email to be concise and clear.
Dr. James and Cristy,
Using students' names helps build that community and helps them feel like they are not just a number, but a person within the course. Thanks!
Dr. James ,
Yes, we want to avoid repeating the same thing over and over again. We want to try and answers group questions when possible. Thanks!
Dr. James ,
Glad your students know your rule. A 24 hour reply time is very reasonable.
Thanks!
Cristy: I have found that when you use the students name at all times the student seems to get more involved in the discussion. Any comment I make to a student the name is always used, even in the chat rooms and discussion boards.
I like this idea for sure. It would take a lot of repeating the same email over and over!
I am in the email system at least 4 to 5 times a day when classes are being held. I will respond to all new emails when read. I have my own set rule that I will respond within 24 hours of receiving an email and I make the students aware of any changes to that rule.
Michael,
Great. Feedback (in whatever format) within 24 hours is great. But, I like your second rule as well. Nice job.
My first rule is to be prompt: I respond within 24 hours at the latest.
My second rule is to never respond to an email when I'm upset or put off -- I take a walk or move onto something else to make sure my tone is even and appropriate.
Hector,
Great words to describe good communication: clear, specific and succinct. When students learn to do this, they'll see quicker responses from others. Thanks!
Hello Dr. Crews,
I create a brief Announcement in every class detailing the format to be used when students send me an email. This minimizes confusion and allows me to be more effective and timely in answering students' questions or concerns.
Basically I ask students to be clear, specific and succinct in any email communication they have with me. I promise to respond in 24-48 hours.
Hector Morales
Detra,
Oh yes. Remind 101 can save so much time in communicating with students. Thanks!
Detra,
Oh yes, this is helpful. If my students don't have this information in the subject line and they don't sign their email, it makes it difficult to communicate effectively. Thanks!
Detra,
A turnaround time of 24-48 hours is common. As long as the students know what to expect and when to expect it and you stick with the guidelines you provide, that's great. The specific emails are a must. Many times students don't realize the instructor teaches more than one course and we need details.
Thanks!
