Communicate 2.1.2 – Communication Guidelines Quest

As we have established, good communication is the key to a positive education experience. Some good ways of communicating in the online classroom include:

• Welcome email: This email should, obviously, be a welcoming introduction to the course, and it should include all important course information. The email should include directions for accessing course material, schedules, and syllabi. Also, teacher contact information should be included. 
• Personal Notes: Personal notes should be used when discussing the academics or other concerns for a single student. These notes can be in the form of an email or phone conversation. All individual issues should be handles personally rather than through mass communication.  
• Mass Communication: This type of communication can be in the form of robocalls, emails, newsletters, or Remind101 text messages. Due dates, changes in schedules, class reminders, etc can be sent out through mass communication. As long as the message is something you want everyone to know, then mass communication is the way to go. 

All educators must protect themselves and their students by following the communication guidelines as outlined by the school. It is a good idea to create a file for all written communication, including emails. Emails can be printed and placed in a communication log or filed in an electronic folder. Also, any time contact is made, teachers should note the date, time, and context of the conversation in the communication log. Lastly, emails concerning important issues concerning academics or student behavior should CC school administrators.