OnlineProfessor

Yes, almost every professor has a phone contact where you can reach them if you have a question, but when should you call and when should you stick to e-mail?

Good reasons to call:

• Time-sensitive issue. When there is a deadline or it’s the end of the term, and time is of the essence, then you should call. But be professional. If you’re calling just because you did not manage your time well and need an extension, it doesn’t often reflect well on you. Don’t expect a professor to bend over backwards for a mistake you made.
• Misunderstanding. If you feel there has been a misunderstanding over e-mail, it’s nice to clarify it with a phone call or a voicemail message.
• When you need extra help. If you’re stuck and just need some help or guidance, feel free to call an instructor. That’s why they’re there. They can either answer your question over the phone or respond via e-mail, if they need to check on something.

Phone etiquette:

• Call during reasonable hours. Online professors often work out of a home office; so calling them at midnight is not a great idea. Be conscious of time zone differences.
• Be detailed with your messages. Remember to leave your full name, class number and section, and a brief summary of why you’re calling.
• Be professional in tone. Even if you’re really frustrated or confused, never take it out on the instructor. Talk through issues reasonably, and you should be able to work through just about anything. Start shouting and calling names, and you won’t get anywhere.

E-mail is really your best bet for most communication because you get full, detailed responses in writing. You can refer back to them and keep a record of them as well. Plus, keep in mind that online professors tend to check e-mail more frequently than the average teacher. It’s the core of their work environment. So your response rate should be fairly speedy.