Communication
Good communication is a life-long skill.
Goal:
Goal:
Hi, there! I have not seen you in ages and thought you would like to join me for a cookout. Let me know if you can come!How would you respond to this? Would you say, "Yes, I'll be there"? Probably not in your first response because you do not have enough information -- you do not know when or where! A back-and-forth will ensue, and before you know it, you have 20 emails sitting in your inbox just trying to get clarification. You've now wasted an hour of your day!
Imagine sending an email similar to that to your teacher. How would your teacher be able to help you? When communicating, especially via email, it is important to use communication etiquette and be thorough. You will be understood more quickly, and you will benefit from a quick and thorough response. Watch this short video to see how everyone can benefit from your good communication.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Effective email communication with your online teacher will not only help you get answers when you're stuck, but will also start a relationship where you can ask questions, explore new ideas, and get critical feedback in an environment of trust and respect. Here are some guidelines and tips on how to use email communication to improve your learning.
When you were little, someone probably taught you how to communicate using good manners like saying "please" and "thank you," not shouting or name-calling, and listening carefully when others are talking. Practicing polite conversation is also known as having good etiquette, and it doesn't stop when you turn on your computer. In fact, there's even a special word, "netiquette," that refers to using good etiquette on the net. These tips will help you practice good netiquette in your online class.
Number one, always use respectful words and phrasing, and be courteous and polite. Number two, construct complete sentences. Abbreviations and sentence fragments are for texting, not for emails. Number three, thoroughly explain your question. Be as specific as you can to avoid unnecessary back and forth messages.
Number four, give the activity, lesson, unit descriptions, and page number so the teacher knows exactly what you need help with. And number five, always include your full name, your school, your course, your phone number, and email address. This way, the teacher will know right away who you are and what class you have a question about, making it much easier and faster to get you the help you need.
You should receive a reply within 24 hours during typical school days. Make sure to check your email spam folder if you don't hear back from your teacher soon. Start communicating with your teachers right away. Why not send an email to your teacher right now and introduce yourself?