OnlineProfessor

Instructors like to say that there is no such thing as a stupid question, but honestly, there is. Students sometimes get lazy when it comes to reading instructions, and before they try to figure it out themselves and read through all the materials, they often write a note to the instructor.

A Little Common Sense Please
Consider the following question actually submitted to me by a student: “Your directions were real confusing. didn’t know where to submit my journal entry. in the journal or in the dropbox.”

Forget the fact that this contains some obvious and unprofessional grammar errors, but did the student really consider his question before sending it? Why would he think the journal entry would go anywhere other than the journal submission box? Furthermore, why would a student feel that it was appropriate to start out the message with an accusation about the clarity of the instructor’s directions?

A Little More Careful Reading Please
Here’s another classic, real-life example of a student inquiry. The instructions for a particular assignment contained this note: “The course textbook cannot be one of your three, required sources for this assignment.” I later received a message from a student asking: “Do you want one or three sources for this assignment?”

As you can see, so many of these errors stem from some careless reading. Instructors welcome questions, but be kind and avoid bothering them with things you could easily figure out on your own. They just make you look bad.

If a student is failing a course by the middle of the term, they need to make some tough decisions about withdrawing from the class. Too many students drop a class without thinking things through. Consider these points before you make up your mind.

Course withdrawal considerations:

• What are the deadlines? Be clear on all your paperwork deadlines. So many students make up their minds to drop a class, and stop doing the work. Then they realize too late that they missed the deadline. Since they can’t go back and make up additional missed work, they end up failing anyway. It’s terrible to make such a mistake because it was completely avoidable.
• How badly are you failing? Look at the syllabus and do the math. If you need to make perfect scores on every future assignment just to pass, it’s just not realistic to expect that of yourself.
• Is there any chance the instructor will take late work or give extra credit? If you missed a major assignment recently, and know you can make it up, discuss it with the instructor. Sometimes a key assignment can get you back in the game. However, not every instructor accepts late work or extra credit. So do not assume that they do. And do not assume it will be worth a major number of points.
• How does dropping a course impact financial aid? Ask your advisor and financial aid counselor about the impact of changing your schedule in the middle of the term. You don’t want to get slapped with a huge bill just because you didn’t know about some rule.
• What advice does your advisor have for you? Make sure you know all your options by speaking with your advisor. Be informed and take control of your education.

Remember, it’s not the end of the world when you withdraw from a class. I know few students who haven’t had to withdraw at least once in their school careers. Assess what you will do differently the next term to avoid repeating errors, and simply push forward with a better strategy the next time around. Most of the time, it’s a time management issue. You just might be too busy to take so many classes. Consider your options about a reduced course load as well. Good luck!

Too often, online college students suddenly disappear from their classes for several weeks and suddenly reappear. Keep in mind that if you do this you might not get a warm welcome back.

Why disappearing acts are unwelcome:

• It’s unprofessional. Would you disappear from your job without giving any notice or explanation for weeks without telling your boss? Probably not. So don’t do that discourtesy to your instructor.
• Illness is seldom a good excuse. Unless you’re in a coma, you should find a way to get an e-mail or voicemail message to your instructor. In emergencies, even a friend or family member can write a note to your instructor or advisor.
• It’s impossible to make up the work. Students who disappear for one third of the term will find that it’s impossible to make up that amount of work. So don’t try it. If you’re unlucky enough to get seriously sick, drop the class and re-take it.
• It disrupts the class momentum. Many classes have group assignments and workshops. Students who come and go without notice are hard to integrate into those assignments.
• Learning is a process. If you miss a significant portion of the class, you often miss the building blocks to things that come later in the term. Coming into the class in the middle of things completely undermines the system that’s been carefully developed for optimal learning.

A few times a year, an online student in one of my classes posts an unprofessional, rude post on the message board and excuses it with the phrase, “I’m just being honest.” When I remind the student of proper online etiquette (netiquette) rules, I will sometimes get a complaint about how I am stifling their personal viewpoints or encouraging cookie-cutter, boring responses from students. Don’t I want differing perspectives?

Well, of course! However, the issue with rude or unprofessional message board entries is not with the student’s opinion itself, it’s with the tone and attitude conveyed. Students should feel free to disagree and to entertain unusual/divergent opinions with their classmates, but there is a way to share those opinions in a professional manner that is not condescending or obnoxious to your peers.

It’s not about being honest; it’s about being courteous and professional. Be honest by all means, but don’t be mean and rude to your classmates.

Tips on Putting Your Best Foot Forward in the Student Forums:

• Avoid calling a project or a student’s ideas a “waste of time.” This is one of the most obnoxious phrases a student could use in the forums, and it makes you look really narrow-minded, haughty, and pompous.
• Don’t play the victim. If you’re instructor or classmate mentions you’re your entry might have been a little rude, avoid acting as if the world is against you. Take a moment of self reflection and see if perhaps your phrasing might have been taken the wrong way. If you’re still confused, ask them to clarify so you can better understand what might have been misunderstood.
• If someone else is rude to you, ignore them. You can also alert the instructor, who will likely speak to the offending student privately. Engaging in an online battle is counterproductive and will just make you look bad as well, even if you’re right.
• Sarcasm doesn’t always work well on the message boards. Just remember, something in print often comes off harsher than a verbal exchange. So sarcasm can really look rude or mean. If you’re going to use it, know that you’re taking a risk.
• It’s not about having thin or thick skin. Avoid telling someone to build thicker skin. Communicators in professional environments have a responsibility to consider their audience and to do their best to convey ideas in a manner that’s professional and polite. Telling people to just take whatever you throw their way is not a best practice in the professional world.

I actually received a message from a student and they referred to me as “Hey.” Now I’m not an uptight person, but this greeting is just inexcusable in a professional setting. When communicating a message, think of your audience and the impression you want to make.

Examples of completely unprofessional phrases:

• “Wassup!” Yes, I have received salutations that began with this highly casual and informal slang phrasing. It makes me wonder whether students who feel comfortable using this phrase with their college professor would also use it to their potential employer.
• “Hey Prof!” This is by no means an offensive term, but it is an unrefined way of speaking with your instructor. Why not simply write, “Hello Professor”? Random abbreviations are not necessarily signs of warmth and friendliness. It is poor judgment to assume everyone will like such a cozy salutation.
• “How’s it hanging?” Yes, I have also received messages with this opening line, and in a business setting, it is a waste of valuable communication space. This statement makes the writer look incapable of holding an intelligent conversation.
• “U gonna b online 2day?” Indeed, students continue to use text-message abbreviations in formal e-mail communications. Again, this shows that the writer is completely unaware of the most basic professional communication standards.

Good communication practices are vital not just in school but in the professional world. Most people lose out on jobs and promotions because they don’t know how to communicate well. If you want to earn positive attention (instead of quiet disdain), work on building strong communication skills. Honestly, in the workplace, people will seldom explain why you’re not getting promoted. They’re more likely to simply laugh at you behind your back.

If you want to be known for your strong work ethic and good ideas, learn how to present yourself well in many ways.

College students can be passionate about their grades, and that’s perfectly fine. And there are times when a student and an instructor have disagreements. It is certainly okay to discuss disagreements with your instructor; however, it is important to remember not to “cross the line.”

Title of tip list:

• ”You work for me,” or “I pay your salary.” These are two of the most obnoxious and incorrect statements a student can utter. When you decide to say this, you are admitting your complete ignorance of the educational system. Education is a privilege. A college degree is an aspiration that not many people achieve. Statements like this show that you might not be ready to attend college. If this is truly how you think college works, then you likely need to rethink things.
• I am an “A” student. There is no such thing. You are an “A” student when you achieve an “A” in a certain class. Declaring this on the first day of class is not only pompous, it’s untrue. You may be a hardworking student, but each “A” must be earned separately in each class.
• Anything remotely threatening. If your instructor has the slightest inkling that you’re making threats, you can be removed from school – immediately. It’s the easiest way to set yourself back, even if you’re on the right side of an argument. It is never acceptable to make even the vaguest of threats to anyone. If you’re really upset about something, take a few hours to simmer down before you say something you might regret. Also, discipline issues do get filed in a student’s permanent record. So it can come back to haunt you later.

Most online schools do not allow students to edit their message board or discussion board entries. Why? Because it’s expected that students function with the understanding that they can’t take things back once they’ve been posted or said. And that’s a very important premise to understand in the business world: Think before you write or speak.

But what if you wrote something and realize that it might have been too harsh or in appropriate?

Damage control tips for the discussion boards:

• Immediately post another entry with an apology. Write to your classmates and explain that you might have written something poorly or rudely, and that it was a mistake. They will likely appreciate the gesture. Be sure to clarify your previous statements and replace them with more appropriate comments.
• Send the instructor an e-mail. Directly approach the instructor with an explanation and apology. Explain how you remedied the situation on the message boards, and be clear that you understand your error so you won’t repeat it. Know that the instructor can deduct points and might even delete your offensive comment. But the penalties might be less severe if you show a solid understanding and remorse for the situation.

There are some instances when the situation cannot be remedied, like when you use inappropriate language or insults. In fact, most schools have a Student Code of Conduct, and such behavior is a violation of that code. It could get marked on your student record. So, it’s always good to think well before you post an entry. It’s nice to be provocative and spark conversation, but do it in a professional way. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Internet issues strike online students all the time. The local cable company decides to rewire your block during finals week. A water main break shuts down half of your town’s basic services.

When you have assignments due and the internet service at home is dead, what do you do? Always – and I mean always — have backup.

Internet backup tip list:

• Keep an updated list of local internet sources. Keep a printed list of at least ten places where you can go if your home internet dies. This list should have detailed hours of operation and any fees/restrictions noted.
• Go Wireless at the Public Library. Did you know that a large number of public libraries now have wireless internet access? Even if the library is closed, the signal often reaches the parking lot or front steps. If you have a laptop, accessing the library’s system is quite simple.
• Go to private libraries. If you have a local community college, you’ll find that they often allow any student access to the library, although you won’t be able to check out books. You might come last in line to that particular school’s students when it comes to computer access, but later at night, the library usually clears out.
• Tap into your friend/family network. Before every term begins, pick three family members and/or friends, and ask them if they would be your backup internet source. Friends and family work out well on your backup list because they are a bit more flexible when it comes to late night hours, etc.
• Make arrangements at work. If you have a good, cool manager, then ask them if you can work on school work during lunch and/or after hours in case your home internet service goes down. This option only works if you have a positive working relationship with your boss. If not, don’t bother.

Of course, immediately notify your advisor and your instructors when you are experiencing such challenges. While they will not often be flexible for such issues, they will appreciate that you let them know, and most of them might surprise you with lesser point penalties or some briefly extended deadlines.

There are no guarantees, but a student who communicates professionally and proactively often gets opportunities that careless students do not.

Every school has some kind of Web page, bulletin board, or announcement area where they post and share important deadlines and information. It’s amazing how many students simply ignore this integral resource, and this can cost them dearly when it comes to their grades, financial aid, and even graduation requirements.

Looking over my student records over the past several years, I’ve found that it’s clear that a majority of student mistakes could have been avoided if they had just read the class announcements more diligently. It sounds overly simple to “check your messages and class announcements,” but it can be the key to performing your best and avoiding huge time-wasters.

Some Common Things Posted in Class Announcements:

• School deadlines for financial aid: If you don’t get your forms properly filed on time, you’ll probably end up blocked from your classes at some point. And that’s a huge setback that could have been avoided.
• Tips for assignments: Almost all instructors post reminders and tips on how to approach upcoming assignments. Students who do not read announcements can miss explanations of instructions that directly impact their grades.
• Updates and changes to assignments: Sometimes, assignments are moved, updated, or cancelled. If you don’t read your assignments, you can spend a lot of time working on assignments that don’t exist anymore.
• Grading announcements: Instructors often let students know when grades have been posted. This means you can immediately review instructor comments on your past work so you can avoid repeating errors in future work.
• Career Development seminars and activities: It’s a shame that students do not take more advantage of resources that they can only get while in school. Career Development departments work overtime to get you prepared for your career, and they’re an underutilized resource.

It still amazes me how many students forget to put their names on their assignments. So, it’s worth taking the time to review this important element.

Name reminders:

• The message boards spoil students. The message boards (or threaded discussion areas) are the only places that automatically stamp your name by your entry. For the most part, other areas of the class will require you to put your name clearly on your documents/submissions.
• Hiding your name. When students do include their names, they often place them in difficult places like the very end or in the header only. Be clear with where you put your name. Usually, the top, left corner is just fine.
• Document and file names. It’s great to put your name as part of the file name; however, don’t stop there. Remember to put your name at the top of the document itself. Once opened, an instructor usually wants to see it all laid out clearly and professionally within the document.

Instructors might have specific format requirements that are particular to the class. So be sure to follow those closely. But these general guidelines will keep you from wasting your instructor’s time and draining his/her patience. Properly identifying yourself and your documents are simple ways to show that you’re a top-notch professional in all that you do.