Comments on: Communicating Online: What Else Your Words are Saying

By: bryan

bryan — Thu, 23 May 2019 22:57:06 +0000

While I think on-line correspondence are ripe for misunderstanding sometimes, I do think, I guess, now thinking about my question a bit more — that the emotion behind the comments matters. If I am coming out of a place of love for a class, I think that somehow is conveyed. Contrast that … if I come out of a place of judgment/frustration/annoyance … I think that’s when I can get in trouble. Maybe. Certainly, it’s much more likely I’ll make a bad situation worse. I like what you hint at … that a student gives some clues at how I might communicate with them/him/her. Sometimes, I just get tired of bending my communication style to fit the student’s expectations or desires. Can you tell it is May?

By: Casey Twining

Casey Twining — Tue, 21 May 2019 23:12:09 +0000

Bryan-this is an excellent question. I think having some time between draft and send can help a ton in this regard. Perhaps, the first draft can be pure instinct, and then after a few hours you can revisit it and elevate the message away from the unnecessary pitfalls. I also think if a student is prepared for you to ‘speak plainly’ there is more wiggle room here (though that can be a tender situation so exercise caution!). Lastly-if you are concerned your ‘real voice’ isn’t coming across, there is always the option to switch to video message to pick up some of the nuances of your messaging (and your personality). Let me know if you need some assistance with creating video/audio feedback! x7265

Max-This is such an important thing to remember that I couldn’t sum up in one bullet point…editing down is such a key piece to this. You don’t have to add a ton of words/explanation for the student to feel respected-and it just may be overlooked because of it’s length. I think breaking up into paragraphs helps this a little, but when in doubt read it out-loud that is! I tend toward more words than necessary, so I am reading things out loud all the time. Thank you!

David-That was an example straight out of my imagination, but if you would like to explore using rubrics I’m around! x7265

K J Pataki- I totally agree, some of the messaging can be unpredictable. I guess that makes it even more important that we hold the ‘calm’ space as best as we can. Thanks for reading!

By: David Davis

David Davis — Tue, 21 May 2019 16:05:04 +0000

Casey,
Where can I locate the rubric “grammar is worth more than a voice”?
Thanx,
David D

By: K J PATAKI

K J PATAKI — Tue, 21 May 2019 04:58:33 +0000

Very helpful. I will integrate it into my OL dossier: message and person (it-me-them-the unknown and not really predictable.)

By: bryan

bryan — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:57:48 +0000

Great topic, Casey!

I wonder how personality and authenticity dovetail with what you’re saying. I don’t think we all should sound a like, but I think on-line confrontation can easily spiral. How does one balance “being oneself” with appropriate-sounding faculty responses?

By: Max Macias

Max Macias — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:40:16 +0000

Thank you Casey!

The online world is vastly different than the off-line world and your tips are great for people who are trying to get a grip on the differences.

I often encounter people online who write pages of stuff–but they don’t realize most people only read a paragraph or two, or if you are lucky they will scan the full-body of text….

Thanks for the great post–all the other aspects are spot-on as well.