Communicating with Instructors and Peers
You and other students may be spread across the country or the world, but you should not feel isolated. You will get to know your peers and professors through a variety of media. These relationships and networks carry through each course and into the professional world. Students are expected to work together, just as they would in a traditional classroom setting or on the job. Through group assignments, study groups, and regular discussion sessions, courses promote teamwork and peer communication, regardless of distance.
Types of Communication
Here are some of the tools you will use to keep in touch and turn to others for assistance and discussion:
Discussion boards: Threaded discussions provide an easy, direct way to post questions, answers, ideas, and debate topics.
Chat rooms: You can find space to chat in a number of locations. Blackboard, the learning management system that hosts course web sites, contains a Virtual Classroom where class participants can communicate in real time. Additionally, some students in study groups or working on group projects set up special chat spaces using third-party software from Yahoo, Google, or other sources.
E-mail, listservs, phones, instant messaging: The possibilities for communication are numerous and will vary for each course.
General Tips
- Follow any specific communication guidelines outlined in your course.
- Reserve e-mail for personal business with your instructor or peers.
- Use the course discussion boards and chat rooms for course business.
- Instructors receive a lot of e-mail. You are important, but because of volume of mail, it may take a while for the instructor to respond. Send a follow-up note if you have not received a response within 48 hours. Call the instructor if you have urgent business.
July 8, 2008
