I approach everyone in an email with the utmost courtesy. For example, I always use the salutation:
Dear John,
as opposed to merely
John,
I learned how to write letter from my 8th grade teacher Mrs. Gloria Range, and I have never deviated.
Donald L. Buresh
Christen,
You'll find some others who do use the telephone as well. We all find the communication tools that work for us, but you are right we have to be timely in our feedback/answers to students. Thanks!
Because all communication takes place either in the chat room or via email (never via telephone), I find that giving students a fast response makes my life easier. It also means that they can run with that response, rather than being stuck waiting for an answer.
Christen Embry
Lindsay,
It's good to be available, but don't become a 24/7 instructor. There is a fine balance there. You have a life too. ;-)
I encourage students from day 1 to contact me if they have any questions, confusions, stresses, etc. I find that many students appreciate that
availability and have a feeling that we are all in this together.
I encourage students with immediate needs to text me on my google voice number. Unless I'm standing in front of my face to face class, I get back to them immediately.
I like the idea of encouraging people to call during my office hours. I will incorporate that in my next term. I think people who need that will be more likely to take me up on that and feel included.
I spend a lot of time responding in the discussion boards, which is very time consuming. I try to model good communication in there, but feel like I'm "taking over". We have a minimum post requirement for each DB, so that makes it challenging.
For those scathing emails, I get frustrated. I have a policy that students may rewrite any assignment based on the feedback they receive. Many don't take me up on this offer, but I do receive fewer scathing emails because they know they have the capacity to improve their grades if they choose, but it's their choice.
maryln,
Right on! Be a good role model and the students will follow your lead. Thanks for sharing.
Janis,
Respect will get you a long way. I do pre-review as well, but not over the weekend. Take a break.
Leading by example is the best way to provide students in the communication area. I try to make sure there are not any grammar errors or typos in my communication or feedback to the students. I also let the students know the best way to contact me which is through email. However, I also give them my phone number so they can also get in touch with me that way.
I do.
I am always respectful.
I may get a scathing note from a student stating that I am the worst instructor ever and I will answer the email with rationale as to why they earned the grade that they did.
I always over-compensate and tell them I would be happy to pre-review their next paper due on Sunday if they would like to get it to me by Friday.
I remind them that I want to see them succeed.
Jan
Robert,
Sounds like you have a system of email first, phone second, etc. It's good the students have options and they know these options. Thanks for sharing.
For the most part students use email and my response time is fairly quick. However, when they feel completely stumped or ready for a load of Xanax they are encouraged to call. Most often it only takes a few minutes to resolve their issue. Mulling over an issue only makes it bigger in the student's mind.
Robert,
It's good for the students to have options. Do you tell the students any particular order of preference? For example, do you say email and then if you don't hear anything back, call, etc.?
Student have several ways of contacting me: University email, direct phone, and voice mail. As mentioned in a previous post I offer these methods in the announcement are under orientation to the course, during the first chat session, and in a letter after the first week.
As other faculty I have office hours on Saturday mornings during which my office is open along with my phone line. Interestingly I receive few visits or calls. But it may be comforting for students to know that we can conduct private sessions.
Christine,
Providing examples are a good way to model good communication. Any time I have to do a report, letter, memo, etc. for my job, I look at the last one someone else did and that serves as my model. It's a good skill.
Amy,
Ah - and we could have that discussion as to whether leaders are born or have been educated to become leaders. Keep up the good work. Thanks!
Yvette,
Being a good role model isn't always easy, but we have to keep trying. That old saying of "Do what I say, not what I do" doesn't work. We have to model professionalism, respect, civility, etc. to all of our students. Thanks!
Geri,
Setting the tone and serving as a great role model in class is essential. Keep up the good work and thanks for your input.
I provide examples for students for how to write an effective e-mail. This provides them with a formula for asking a question of me (or another student/client/boss).
When students follow this structure, it cuts down on my workload (and theirs), because we don't have to go back and forth trying to understand the problem, they will have provided me with enough detail the first time around and communication is much faster.
I am a firm believer in leading by example. I am careful in my communications with my students in that I make sure my spelling, grammar, etc is correct and that the content of my message whether it be an email, a discussion post, or a phone call is respectful and appropriate. I do this all the while I am attempting to remain approachable and warm.
I try to model good communication in all areas students receive communication from me. In the discussion board, emails, announcements and direct feedback, I make every attempt to write with proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization. I also use their names and I enforce a modicum of respect for the instructor by requesting that my students address me formally (I do not allow students to call me Yvette). When they do call me Yvette in emails or discussions, I politely remind them that "I prefer my students call me Ms. Adams or 'Ms. A' for short" and I sign many of my emails, posts and announcements as "Ms. A". Also, when I do see extremely poor grammar or other technical writing, I address it either via email or on the phone, so they understand how important it is to improve in that area. I also provide websites and other resources they can refer back to when they need it.
