Communication
Since you’re separated by a screen from your Faculty members, Academic Advisors, and other University resources, good communication skills become even more critical.
- Be sure you read EVERYTHING. Policies, procedures, registration times, course descriptions, syllabi. Most of the information you’ll get now is text, read carefully.
- Stay active. Discussion boards, emails, web conferencing, surveys. Whatever the format available, participate and engage.
- Ask questions! Professors are the experts on their courses and the subject matter.
- Remember office hours. They can be particularly helpful in asynchronous courses.
- Upload a picture to G-mail, Canvas, and other University platforms so your instructors and peers can get to know you.
- Log in and check messages as often as possible. At least once a day, if not twice. If you’re not able to log in every day, or you’re only able to log in at specific times or on specific days, let your faculty know ahead of time.
When you get ready to email an instructor, consider the following:
- Use your UNC Charlotte email account
- Create a detailed e-mail signature
- Be clear and concise
- Include the name of the course and your section
Stay connected to other people.
- Schedule calls with friends and family.
- Attend virtual office hours, study groups, and events on campus.
- Reach out to peers in your class with questions or offers to collaborate.
- Turn on your camera during meetings if possible. If not, actively participate verbally or in the chat.
Working with a group online can have some advantages and disadvantages over working with a group in person, but there are a few things to keep in mind so it can go as smoothly as possible.
- Start early and schedule regular check-ins with your group. It can be easy for group project deadlines to approach without warning.
- Be specific about which tasks each member is responsible for accomplishing.
- Use a group chat to stay in contact and check on each other every few days. Follow-up with someone who is not responding.
- Schedule regular meetings to tackle the bigger parts of the project. Use video when you can.
- Set a purpose for each group meeting in advance. Decide what goals you want to accomplish in each meeting.
- Take notes in a shared Google Doc so you can all follow along and contribute.
Sources:
Thinking about taking online classes? Here are five tips to help you succeed. from Walden University
How to Write an Email to your Professor, James LaBate, Medium.com