Hi, I wanted to continue my review on the use of email to increase interaction. I found the following article which I thought was useful: Griffith, F. and L. Anderson-Lewis. (1998) Enhancing connections between students and instructors: African-American student's use of computer mediated communication. Business Communication Quarterly. 61:9-19.
In the article, the authors stated that the use of email as a supportive role in the classroom "contributes to a social leveling that allows instructors to be seen more in the role of facilitators". They also stated that the increased interactions via email acts to "level social class (and to some extent) obscures race, gender, and age".
At the community college level, we have to deal not only with diversity of background but with age as well. A number of my students are older than I and may have problems asking for assistance from a young instructor.
Email levels the field for all students and promotes an openess that overcomes time as well.
Thanks, Ken
1 comment:
Email is an excellent means of communiction for the instructor and has the advantage that students can communicate with instructors at anytime convenient to them. The instructor and student can be in the comfort of their own home and is very beneficial to working and part-time students. As an instructor at a community college, email is the most preferred method of communication. Many community college students have multiple roles outside of the classroom to include spouse, parent and employee. Email offers the convenience of communication on their time and schedule.
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