By: Michael S.
Miller
As
an online learner, you have the opportunity to develop and refine many
skills. It is likely the most widely
practiced, or even the most important would be developing effective
communication skills. The majority, if not all of your communication in the
online learning environment, is in the form of written communication. Communication takes place continuously in
this environment with both your instructor and your classmates. Therefore, it
is critical to make a good impression; not to mention, “More effective
communication practices lead to a more effective learning process” (Venable,
2011, para. 2). Whether you are engaging in a threaded discussion forum, submitting
a written assignment, or sending an email, your expression of your thoughts and
ideas have much to say about you as a person.
In
the online environment, it is rather easy to click ‘reply,’ type up a quick
response, and hit ‘send’ without giving much thought about what you have just
written (or not written). However, what most students do not realize is that
your e-mail behavior has the potential to sabotage your reputation both
personally and professionally. Believe
it or not, when you are a student, others judge you based on your communications
skills. After all, it is likely they
have never heard you speak verbally.
This is why there are some actions you should take to make a good
impression on the people you are communicating with regularly.
For
example, sharing an email address with your significant other. This tells the person receiving the email
that you are likely not an independent person.
Email addresses are free to obtain and easy to check. There is no reason
why you would need to share an email address with anyone. Email addresses can be used for almost
anything from receiving discounts at your favorite store to registering a
product online. While it is fine to have
an email address for these purposes, try setting up an additional inbox. It is important to use and maintain a
professional email address for communicating with employers, businesses,
classmates, or professors. You can
control who has access to this address and will not have to sift through all of
the junk mail in your other inbox.
Another
idea for maintaining a professional email account is to use your real name, or
some variation of it. Using something
that you think may be cute or trendy, (e.g. hotblonde@mail.com)
tells the receiver that you are not a very serious person. Again, it is fine to have this type of email
address, but use it with your friends or something that does not require
professionalism.
Something
else you will want to consider is what you communicate in the email. For example, if you are sending an email to
your professor, it is a good idea to begin the email by addressing him or her
by name. Then, state your reason for the
email and include an electronic signature with your full name. It is also a good idea to include the course
number and section for which you are enrolled.
It is likely that your professor teaches more than one course or even
for multiple schools. Your professor
could have five students named Andrea.
If you send an email without these items, it appears very unprofessional
and carries with it a feeling of laziness.
Finally,
always proofread your emails before you send them! Read and re-read them and use spell
check. Remember, your writing says a
great deal about the type of person sending the email. Do not forget that there
is a person on the other side of your email.
Much like a first impression, the emails you send allow the person on
the receiving end to judge you solely based on your choice of tone, punctuation,
and writing ability. You may come across as educated or illiterate, happy or irritated
– it is all in the delivery!
Venable,
M. (2011, September 16). The 7 Cs of effective communication in your online
course. Retrieved from http://www.onlinecollege.org/2011/09/16/the-7-cs-of-effective-communication-in-your-online-course/
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