TEACHSOC: Re: An e-mail from a student...

[Eric Godfrey]

Were I still teaching, I would have replied to the student's e-mail with a revised version titled "This would have been much more appropriate" (it was short enough to not make doing that much of a burden). I'd have added a short note with a social-psychological thrust to the effect that the way the one presents oneself to others lays a foundation for their inductive conclusions about the kind of person we are (of course I wouldn't put it that way), yes, even a short, informal e-mail. Michael, you were certainly not too hard on the student, and in fact would have been remiss in your duty as an educator to let it go uncorrected (for reasons well stated by others in this thread).  Though I will confess not correcting every e-mail message whose saluation read "Hey, Professor" over the last few years (what's with "Hey," anyway? - seems to have spread rapidly). --- Eric Michael Klausner wrote at 11:54 AM on 19 May 2006: Sarah, you said it better than I could have. I don’t think we are being “helpful” to students who communicate that way by just ignoring it. One can be compassionate, empathic and kind and STILL set the student straight on that matter. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are more important than learning any particular discipline, I think.   Furthermore, I think it is being “cruel” to students if we allow such type of communication without making firm suggestions for improvement and indicating why such communication is inappropriate.   From: Sarah Murray [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 12:41 PM To: Michael Klausner Subject: Re: TEACHSOC: An e-mail from a student...   My belief is that this is not appropriate communication under any circumstances, with any living creature, or inanimate object for that matter.  I would tell the student that his/her future success academically, professionally and interpersonally is very much contingent on effective communication, and that you could refer him/her to resources that would help in that vein (books, on-campus services, your re-writing of the e-mail, anything.). Be supportive, concerned, heart felt -- but let the student know that continuing to communicate in that style would be detrimental to his/her future in every way.  You are worried -- not judgmental. ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Klausner To: teachsoc@googlegroups.com Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 12:14 PM Subject: TEACHSOC: An e-mail from a student...   I received this e-mail from a student who was in my class last term. I replied that the horrendous punctuation, grammar, spelling was not appropriate when communicating with anyone except friends, perhaps.   Even then, it would not be appropriate. Should I have been “harder”, “easier” on him?   Comments welcome         you were right when u said u wanted to see me again ahaha.. i was wonderign when ur classes were for fall semester so i can see if i can retake ur class.. get back to me when you can                                          sincerly, -- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NOTE: If e-mail to me is rejected or not answered promptly, please re-send to my other e-mail addresses: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Eric P. Godfrey, Professor Emeritus of Sociology Ripon College, P. O. Box 248 (mail), 300 Seward St. (courier) Ripon, Wisconsin 54971-0248 920.748.6789 (home) Home US Mail: P. O. Box 75, Ripon, WI 54971-0075 "Save the earth, we don't have a backup copy" (made up by my son Forest at age 16) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Teaching Sociology" group. To post to this group, send email to teachsoc@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/teachsoc -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---