Contact with your instructor is very valuable and you shouldn\u2019t hesitate to get in touch. However, you want to make sure your email gets you the information you want in the most positive and efficient way possible, for both your sake and your instructor\u2019s! Here are 10 basics to remember:<\/p>\n
Read the syllabus and check Brightspace first. Not surprisingly, being asked about something that is in the course outline is a major sore point for instructors. It wastes their time and it gives away the fact that you didn\u2019t read the syllabus. Some other questions are the kind that can be answered with a basic Google search (like the definition of a term). If you want to go deeper, or if you couldn\u2019t find the information in the outline, by all means send that email!<\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean you have to be rigidly formal, but use the proper salutation (if you aren\u2019t sure, Professor X is generally safe) when you email them. Don\u2019t use only their first name unless they have told you to, or have signed an email to you in that way. Keep your questions and comments polite. Don\u2019t complain if you don\u2019t get an immediate response! Instructors handle a lot of emails \u2013 give them time.<\/p>\n
Most instructors teach more than one course so they need some context. Supplying your name is professional and appropriate. And you want to identify yourself, especially as an online student, so you can build a relationship with your instructor.<\/p>\n
Make sure you include the information your instructor needs and make it clear what you need from them. A vague email is not going to get you the information you want.<\/p>\n
If you do, no one knows who has responded and you risk not getting an answer at all. Plus, it\u2019s kind of rude. You don\u2019t have to get all those people involved \u2013 one will do.<\/p>\n
Include relevant information but avoid going into too much unnecessary detail.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t risk leaving off the \u201co\u201d in \u201chello\u201d. Catch those auto-corrects, misspellings and missing words.<\/p>\n
Many personal email addresses can look like spam, especially if there is an attachment. And some have some pretty goofy names. Plus, Carleton\u2019s communications policy states that you should be using your Carleton email when contacting instructors.<\/p>\n
The subject line should be relevant and useful. You want it to be easily identified when your instructor scans through their inbox.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s only polite, and it builds your relationship with them!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Contact with your instructor is very valuable and you shouldn\u2019t hesitate to get in touch. However, you want to make sure your email gets you the information you want in the most positive and efficient way possible, for both your sake and your instructor\u2019s! Here are 10 basics to remember: 1. Don\u2019t ask them something […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":30,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"yoast_head":"\n