{"id":3172,"date":"2020-04-22T18:08:20","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T00:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sfccmo.edu\/offices-services\/?p=3172"},"modified":"2020-04-22T18:14:16","modified_gmt":"2020-04-23T00:14:16","slug":"effective-online-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sfccmo.edu\/offices-services\/2020\/04\/22\/effective-online-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"Effective Online Communication"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Strong communication skills are <\/span>the <\/span>key to <\/span>success professionally and personally. <\/span>Here are some tips that will not only help you communicate <\/span>well <\/span>with your instructors<\/span> but <\/span>also will enhance your<\/span> professional career.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Use instructors preferred way of commun<\/span><\/b>i<\/span><\/b>cation<\/span><\/b> 
    \nEvery instructor has a preferred way to communicate with students. Some in<\/span>structors will state this in the syllabus or make it clear at the beginning of the course. If you\u2019re not sure, be sure to ask them what works best. When in doubt, use email. Other methods <\/span>include<\/span> Canvas email, social media direct messaging, <\/span>texting or calling.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  2. Use student emai<\/span><\/b>l<\/span><\/b> 
    \nIt is best to use your student email when emailing instructors. This way they will know right away it is from a student and is college related. This will ensure a faster response time.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  3. Greet them wit<\/span><\/b>h <\/span><\/b>preferred name<\/span><\/b> 
    \nIt\u2019s highly important to address your instructor by their preferred name<\/span> or <\/span>title. <\/span>Some examples of titles include first name, Mr.\/Mrs.\/Ms.\/Miss, Dr., <\/span>p<\/span>rofessor, or a nickname. Therefore, it would be offensive to address an instructor who prefers the title of \u201cDr.\u201d by their first name. <\/span>Most instructors will state this on their syllabus or on the first day of class, but just ask if it\u2019s <\/span>not<\/span> clear.<\/span> 
    \n  <\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Be nice and polite<\/span><\/b> 
    \nIt is hard to detect a person\u2019s tone in email, such as sarcasm and humor. Therefore, it\u2019s best to be <\/span>polite<\/span> while remaining professional. Never email <\/span>an instructor <\/span>when<\/span> you are upse<\/span>t<\/span>. T<\/span>ake some time to <\/span>re<\/span>–<\/span>evaluate<\/span> the situation, then come back and explain the problem with professionalism.<\/span> Avoid <\/span>typing in all capital letter<\/span>s<\/span>, abbreviated <\/span>words or phrases (INK, BTW, LOL, etc.)<\/span> or slang.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  5. State the course you\u2019re in<\/span><\/b> 
    \nInstructors teach multiple classes, so it makes it way easier <\/span>if you state which <\/span>course<\/span> you\u2019re in. This way they will be able to get a sense of which assignment you\u2019re referring to<\/span>,<\/span> and they will most likely be able to answer faster.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  6. Identify the assignment you need help with<\/span><\/b> 
    \nJust as it\u2019s important to identify your course, it is also important to identify which assignment you\u2019re referring to. <\/span>Be as clear as possible by referencing the title of the assignment, question number, state the question, and due date if necessary. If it\u2019s a visual project, maybe it will help<\/span> to include a picture of what you\u2019re referring to. Include anything that will help your instructor know what you need help with.<\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  7. Be clear and direct<\/span><\/b> 
    \nIt\u2019s easy to ramble on and write multiple paragraphs to your instructor. Instructors teach several classes and have many students, so put yourself in their shoes<\/span>. It will make it so much easier for them if you keep your message short and <\/span>to the point.<\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  8. Give time for response<\/span><\/b> 
    \nTry to avoid emailing your instructor last minute. If you send an email at midnight about an assignment due in the morning, they aren\u2019t going to be able to answer in time. Therefore, it\u2019s impo<\/span>rtant to not procrastinate on your assignments in case you do run into an issue and need help. Don\u2019t expect a response from an instructor after business hours<\/span> (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)<\/span> or on <\/span>weekends<\/span>. <\/span>Try to only send emails during business hours if you can<\/span>.<\/span> If you do send an email and need a fast response time, mark it as high importance.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  9. Proofread<\/span><\/b> 
    \nProofreading is very important. Something as simple as a small grammar mistake can make <\/span>you <\/span>seem<\/span> unprofessional<\/span>. <\/span>Emailing isn\u2019t texting so spell out every word and avoid abbreviations. <\/span>After you proofread it, have a friend <\/span>review<\/span> it<\/span> if possible<\/span>. Along with being <\/span>grammatically<\/span> correct, it is important to use correct <\/span>punctuation<\/span>.<\/span> Avoid using exclamation points because tone is <\/span>hard <\/span>to communicate<\/span> through email.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  10. Use readable fonts and font sizes<\/span><\/b> 
    \nAn email is useless if you can\u2019t read it. Use a readable font, usually the default font will work fine. <\/span>Don\u2019t use tiny fonts, but also avoid huge font<\/span> sizes. Avoid changing colors as this will affect the contrast and readability. <\/span>Bold important information and headings. Organ<\/span>ize information and separate into paragraphs.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  11. Give time options for meetings<\/span><\/b> 
    \nIf you\u2019re asking to meet with your instructor, be sure to give them <\/span>a range of <\/span>time options for three <\/span>different <\/span>days. This is efficient and<\/span> will<\/span> lessen the amount of emails taken<\/span> to choose a time that works for both pe<\/span>ople.<\/span> You can say something along the lines of \u201cI am free to meet any of the following times. Please let me know what works best for you. If none work, we can figure <\/span>something else out.\u201d<\/span> Know when your instructors hold office hours for consultations and request meetings during those times when possible. <\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  12. Direct <\/span><\/b>s<\/span><\/b>ubject <\/span><\/b>l<\/span><\/b>ine<\/span><\/b> 
    \nThe subject line is the first thing that will catch their eye. Be direct and short. The subject line needs to make it clear what the email is about. Longer subject lines have more of a chance at <\/span>being cut off the screen.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  13. Thank them for their time<\/span><\/b> 
    \nMake sure to thank your professor<\/span>s<\/span> for their time and help. Thanking them is a great way to close the email.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  14. Create a signature<\/span><\/b> 
    \nAlong with thanking them at the end of the email, you can go the extra step by creating an email signature. Be sure to include your full name and ways to <\/span>contact you. This looks more professional and makes it easy for your instructor to remember who the email is from.<\/span> <\/span>
    \n  <\/li>\n
  15. Respond right away<\/span><\/b> 
    \nIt\u2019s important to maintain your professionalism throughout the email conversation. Therefore, it\u2019s important to respond as fast as possible. If you\u2019re busy and unable to respond, a great tip to follow is to respond back w<\/span>ith \u201cI appreciate your response, I will get back to you at this time<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d You can say a specific time or sometime tonight or tomorrow. This will let them know that you aren\u2019t ignoring them or <\/span>unappreciative<\/span> of their time. This is a great tip to follow <\/span>with communicating online with anyone.<\/span> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Professionalism<\/span> is key when communicating with instructors. <\/span>Always be kind and respectful<\/span>. <\/span>As always, remember that everything communicated online is permanent and can be found at any time and can never be fully deleted. When in doubt, have a friend read over your<\/span> email to make sure what you\u2019re trying to communicate is clear.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Written by Megan Spencer, Social Media and Digital Communications Coordinator at State Fair Community College.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    SUBMIT A BLOG TO SFCC
    \n<\/strong>Would you like to publish a blog to State Fair Community College? We\u2019re now accepting submissions from students, staff, and faculty<\/strong>. Email your blog submission to Megan Spencer at mspencer8@sfccmo.edu<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Strong communication skills are the key to success professionally and personally. 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    \"\"<\/a>About the Author<\/b>
    \nHi, I\u2019m Megan! I run State Fair Community College\u2019s social media. I grew up with a creative passion and have always loved drawing, painting, and crafting. My educational background is in graphic design and marketing. I love to help people, which is one of the reasons I started writing these blogs for SFCC\u2019s students. It\u2019s about community!<\/p>\n