{"id":1170,"date":"2016-04-25T19:48:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-25T19:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/lumencollegesuccess\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=1170"},"modified":"2016-10-12T22:34:24","modified_gmt":"2016-10-12T22:34:24","slug":"working-with-instructors","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/chapter\/working-with-instructors\/","title":{"raw":"Working with Instructors","rendered":"Working with Instructors"},"content":{"raw":"<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/04\/25200112\/3349979270_1315260035_b.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1174\"><img class=\"wp-image-1174 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/04\/25200112\/3349979270_1315260035_b-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"A female student gets help from a male teacher. They're seated at a table in a large classroom, she's smiling, and he's pointing to something in a textbook.\" width=\"700\" height=\"463\" \/><\/a>\r\n<blockquote>One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil. \u2014Friedrich Nietzsche, <em>Thus Spoke Zarathustra<\/em><\/blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\nBy the end of this section, you will be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify options for communicating with instructors<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss the benefits of utilizing instructor office hours<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluate effective email communication strategies with instructors<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify strategies for resolving conflicts with an instructor<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Communicating with Instructors<\/h2>\r\nOf all the teachers you've\u00a0had in your life, which one do you remember most fondly? If you're lucky, you've got someone in mind\u2014a teacher\u00a0who encouraged and inspired you and perhaps played a role in shaping the person\u00a0you are today.\r\n\r\nThat same teacher could well be thinking similar thoughts about you!\u2014because for every favorite teacher, there is also a favorite student. The satisfactions often go both ways.\r\n\r\nIn this section, we look at ways in which you can cultivate rich and rewarding relationships with your instructors, and also resolve conflicts, should any\u00a0arise. Solid student-faculty relationships can be foundational to a successful college experience.\r\n\r\nThe following video, from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, looks at the value teachers and students place on connecting with one another.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UZ0r4v7JBAk\r\n<h2>Methods of Communicating with Instructors<\/h2>\r\nCollege students are sometimes surprised to discover that instructors enjoy getting to know students. The human dimension of college really matters, and as a student you are an important part of your instructor\u2019s world. Most instructors are happy to work with you during their office hours, or talk a few minutes after class, respond to digital messages, talk on the phone, or engage in online discussion forums or perhaps course wikis or personal journals. These are some of the many methods of communication you and your instructors can use.\r\n\r\nThe following video, from the University of British Columbia, shares\u00a0faculty perspectives on\u00a0some of the many reasons why students might want to talk to their faculty or to teaching assistants (TAs).\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rzQ_f4vzciM\r\n<h2>Benefits of Communicating with Instructors<\/h2>\r\nOne of the many benefits of communicating with instructors is that it can help you feel more comfortable in college and more connected to the college culture. Students who communicate with their instructors are less likely to become dispirited\u00a0and drop out.\r\n\r\nCommunicating with instructors is also a valuable way to learn about an academic field or a career. Maybe you don\u2019t know for sure what you want to major in, or what people with a degree in your chosen major actually do after college. Most instructors will share information and insights with you.\r\n\r\nYou may also need a reference or a letter of recommendation for a job or internship application. Getting to know some of your instructors puts you in an ideal position to ask for a letter of recommendation or a reference later on.\r\n\r\nBecause instructors are often well connected within their field, they may know of a job, internship, or research opportunity\u00a0that you\u00a0wouldn't otherwise know\u00a0about. An instructor who knows you is a valuable part of your network. Networking is important for future job searches and other opportunities. In fact, most jobs are found through networking, not through classified ads or online job postings. (See the section\u00a0on Networking.)\r\n\r\nThink about what being \u201ceducated\u201d truly means: how one thinks, understands society and the world, and responds to problems and new situations. Much of this learning occurs outside of the formal class. Communicating with your instructors can be among your most meaningful experiences in college.\r\n<h2>Guidelines for Communicating with Instructors<\/h2>\r\nGetting along with instructors and communicating well begins with attitude. As experts in their field, instructors deserve respect. Remember that a college education is a collaborative process that works best when students and instructors communicate freely in an exchange of ideas, information, and perspectives. So while it pays to respect your instructors, there is no need to fear them. As you get to know them better, you\u2019ll learn their personalities and find appropriate ways to talk to them. Below\u00a0are some guidelines for getting along with and communicating with your instructors:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prepare before meeting with the instructor. Go over your notes on readings and lectures and write down your specific questions. You\u2019ll feel more comfortable, and the instructor will appreciate your being organized.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to introduce yourself. Especially near the beginning of the term, don\u2019t assume that your instructor has learned everyone\u2019s name yet, and don\u2019t make him or her have to ask you. Unless the instructor has already asked you to address him or her as \u201cDr. ____,\u201d \u201cMs. _____,\u201d or Mr. _______,\u201d or something similar, it\u2019s appropriate to say \u201cProfessor _______.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Respect the instructor\u2019s time. In addition to teaching, college instructors participate in committees, conduct research and other professional work, and have personal lives. It's not appropriate to arrive several minutes before the end of an office hour and expect the instructor to stay late to talk with you.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understand\u00a0that the instructor will recognize you from class. If you spent a lecture hour not paying attention, it will reflect badly on you to\u00a0come to an office hour to find out what you missed.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t try to fool an instructor. Insincere praise or making excuses for not doing an assignment will rarely play in your favor (they've heard it all before!). Nor is it a good idea to act\u00a0like you\u2019re \u201ctoo cool\u201d to take your classwork seriously\u2014another attitude that's sure to put off\u00a0an instructor. To earn your instructor\u2019s respect, come to class prepared, do the work, genuinely participate in class, and show respect\u2014and the instructor will be happy to see you when you come to office hours or need some extra help.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to see things from the instructor\u2019s point of view. Imagine that you spent hours preparing for class, on a topic\u00a0that you find very interesting\u00a0and exciting. You are gratified when people understand what you\u2019re saying\u2014they really get it! And then a student after class asks, \u201cIs this going to be on the test?\u201d How would you feel?<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be professional when talking to an instructor. You can be cordial and friendly, but it\u2019s ideal to keep it professional and on an adult level. Come to office hours prepared with your questions\u2014not just to chat or joke around. (Don\u2019t wear sunglasses or earphones in the office or check your cell phone for messages.) Be prepared to accept constructive criticism in a professional way, without taking it personally or complaining.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe following infographic gives you a visual way to remember key concepts about communicating with your instructors.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/04\/25203609\/Talking-to-Profs-and-TAs.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1177\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1177\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/04\/25203609\/Talking-to-Profs-and-TAs-512x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Talking to Your Profs and TAs: 1. Use office hours. Many students never attend office hours. Profs wait alone or assume everyone understands the class. 2. Don't be afraid. You have valuable thoughts and you'r in college to learn. Ask questions early and often. 3. Have something to say. Your prof wants you to challenge ideas and be engaged. 4. Come prepared. You will gain more if you have specific questions ready. 5. Clarification can be easy. Often your question doesn't take long to sort out. Just go talk to your prof early.\" width=\"500\" height=\"1000\" \/><\/a>\r\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\r\n<h3>Activity: Interacting with Your Instructors<\/h3>\r\n<h4>Objectives<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify options for communicating with instructors<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss the benefits of utilizing instructor office hours<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Directions<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The word <em>instructor<\/em> comes from the Latin word<em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.myetymology.com\/latin\/struere.html\"> struere<\/a><\/em>, meaning build, construct. Make a list of ten ways in which you could take advantage of communicating with your instructor to help build and construct a powerful learning experience.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Effective Email Communication with Instructors<\/h2>\r\nJust as digital messaging has become a primary form of communication in business and society, it has a growing role in education and has become an important and valuable means of communicating with instructors. Most college students are familiar with digital messaging, such as email, texting, and messages via the online-course learning-management system. Using digital messaging respects other people\u2019s time, allowing them to answer at a time of their choosing.\r\n\r\nHowever, digital communication with instructors is a written form of communication that differs from communicating with friends. Students who text with friends often adopt\u00a0shortcuts, such as not spelling out full words, ignoring capitalization and punctuation, and not focusing on grammar or using full sentences. Such texts are usually very informal and are not an appropriate style for communicating with instructors. Your instructors expect you to use a professional, respectful\u00a0tone and fairly formal style.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Use a professional email name. If you have a nickname you use with friends, create a different account with a professional name for use with instructors, work supervisors, and others. \u201cBoatyMcBoatface\u201d is not an appropriate, professional email name.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Include\u00a0something in\u00a0the subject line that readily communicates the purpose\/topic of your email: \u201cMay I make an appointment?\u201d says something; \u201cHelp!\u201d doesn\u2019t.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Address digital messages as you do a letter, beginning \u201cDear Professor ____.\u201d Include your full name in the closing.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Get to your point quickly and concisely.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Write as you would in a paper for class, avoiding sarcasm, criticism, or negative language.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Avoid abbreviations, nonstandard spelling, slang, and emoticons like smiley faces.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be courteous, accommodating, and respectful. Avoid stating expectations like, \u201cI\u2019ll expect to hear from you soon\u201d or \u201cIf I haven\u2019t heard by 4 p.m., I\u2019ll assume you\u2019ll accept my late paper.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>When you reply to a message, leave the original message within yours.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>End the message with a \u201cThank you\u201d or something similar.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Proofread your message before sending it.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Wait to send if you are upset. With any important message, it\u2019s a good idea to wait and review the message later before sending it. You may have expressed an emotion or thought that you will think better about later. Many problems have resulted when people send messages too quickly without thinking.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Conflict-Resolution\u00a0Strategies<\/h2>\r\nThe most common \"conflict\"\u00a0that students experience with instructors is feeling that they've received a lower grade than they deserve.\u00a0\u00a0This may be especially true for new students not yet used to the higher standards of college. It can be disappointing to get a low grade, but try not to be too hard on yourself or on the instructor. Take a good look at what happened on the test or paper and make sure you know what to do better next time.\r\n\r\nIf you genuinely believe you should have a higher grade, you can talk with your instructor. How you communicate in that conversation, however, is very important. Instructors are used to hearing students complain about grades, and they will likely patiently explain their standards for grading. In general, instructors seldom change grades. Still,\u00a0it can still be worthwhile to talk with the instructor. You will gain\u00a0from the experience even if your grade doesn't change.\r\n\r\nHere are guidelines for talking about a grade or resolving any other problem or disagreement with an instructor:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go over the requirements for the paper or test and the instructor\u2019s comments. Be sure you actually have a reason to\u00a0evaluate the grade\u2014not just that you didn\u2019t do well. Be prepared with specific points you want to discuss.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make an appointment with your instructor. For face-to-face classes, don\u2019t try to talk about your concern before or after class.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be polite. Begin by politely explaining that you thought you did better on the assignment or test (not simply that you think you deserve a better grade) and that you\u2019d like to go over it to better understand the result.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allow the instructor to explain his or her comments on the assignment or grading of the test. Don\u2019t complain or whine; instead, show your appreciation for the explanation. Raise any specific questions, or make comments at this time. For example, you might say, \u201cI really thought I was being clear here when I wrote . . .\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use good listening skills. Whatever you do, don\u2019t argue!<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask what you can do to improve the grade, if possible. Can you rewrite the paper or do any extra-credit work to help make up for a test score? While you are showing that you would like to earn a higher grade in the course, also make it clear that you\u2019re willing to put in the effort and that you want to learn more, not just get the higher grade.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there is no opportunity to improve on this specific project, ask the instructor for advice on what you might do on the next assignment or when preparing for the next test. You may be offered some individual help or receive good study advice, and your instructor will respect your willingness to make the effort\u2014as long as it\u2019s clear that you\u2019re more interested in learning than getting a good\u00a0grade.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Working with Instructors: Key Points<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Go the extra mile<\/strong>: Talk to your professor when you\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need an extension<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need clarification on course material<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are experiencing challenges in your personal life that impact your academic performance<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are considering pursuing a major or graduate degree in their subject area<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Visit early<\/strong>: Building rapport with your professors early in the semester will pay off if you need an extension or extra help later on. Professors like it when you visit office hours, but they don't appreciate it when panicked students ask for an extension an hour before an assignment is due. Most professors will be very accommodating if you ask for help well in advance.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Show your interest<\/strong>: Professors want you to be as interested in their subject as they are. Nothing excites them more than knowing you are passionate about what they teach. You can show your interest by participating in class, attending office hours, and emailing your professors if you have questions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Meet your professor<\/strong>: Professors have many responsibilities to juggle including research, teaching, traveling to conferences, and administrative tasks. However, they DO want to talk with you. Go to office hours and meet your professors!<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Build relationships<\/strong>: Believe it or not, your professors are really interesting people. You might just enjoy their company. They can also open doors to academic research, serve as mentors, and may write you a reference letter down the road. Build strong relationships with your profs while you have the chance.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe following video from the University of Toronto Scarborough is a good summary of the ideas and guidelines shared in this section\u00a0on working with instructors:\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=42lMFQqc4LI\r\n\r\nThere are a lot of different resources students can use to deepen their learning: peer communities, previous assignments, tests, and\u2014perhaps most importantly\u2014instructors. Your instructors want you to succeed: they can be great allies in your learning experience.\r\n\r\nThe following activity goes over some of the tips we covered for communicating with your instructors, and presents some examples for you to look at.\r\n\r\n<center><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.oppia.org\/explore\/hggOmiJ7bNGF?iframed=true\" width=\"700\" height=\"1500\"><\/iframe><\/center><a href=\"beyond-the-classroom-text-version\/\" target=\"_blank\">Click here for a text-only version of the activity.<\/a>\r\nhttps:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/902","rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/04\/25200112\/3349979270_1315260035_b.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1174\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1174 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/04\/25200112\/3349979270_1315260035_b-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"A female student gets help from a male teacher. They're seated at a table in a large classroom, she's smiling, and he's pointing to something in a textbook.\" width=\"700\" height=\"463\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil. \u2014Friedrich Nietzsche, <em>Thus Spoke Zarathustra<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<p>By the end of this section, you will be able to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify options for communicating with instructors<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss the benefits of utilizing instructor office hours<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluate effective email communication strategies with instructors<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify strategies for resolving conflicts with an instructor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Communicating with Instructors<\/h2>\n<p>Of all the teachers you&#8217;ve\u00a0had in your life, which one do you remember most fondly? If you&#8217;re lucky, you&#8217;ve got someone in mind\u2014a teacher\u00a0who encouraged and inspired you and perhaps played a role in shaping the person\u00a0you are today.<\/p>\n<p>That same teacher could well be thinking similar thoughts about you!\u2014because for every favorite teacher, there is also a favorite student. The satisfactions often go both ways.<\/p>\n<p>In this section, we look at ways in which you can cultivate rich and rewarding relationships with your instructors, and also resolve conflicts, should any\u00a0arise. Solid student-faculty relationships can be foundational to a successful college experience.<\/p>\n<p>The following video, from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, looks at the value teachers and students place on connecting with one another.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"Student\/Faculty Relationships at Dickinson College\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UZ0r4v7JBAk?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Methods of Communicating with Instructors<\/h2>\n<p>College students are sometimes surprised to discover that instructors enjoy getting to know students. The human dimension of college really matters, and as a student you are an important part of your instructor\u2019s world. Most instructors are happy to work with you during their office hours, or talk a few minutes after class, respond to digital messages, talk on the phone, or engage in online discussion forums or perhaps course wikis or personal journals. These are some of the many methods of communication you and your instructors can use.<\/p>\n<p>The following video, from the University of British Columbia, shares\u00a0faculty perspectives on\u00a0some of the many reasons why students might want to talk to their faculty or to teaching assistants (TAs).<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-2\" title=\"Profs and TAs\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rzQ_f4vzciM?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Benefits of Communicating with Instructors<\/h2>\n<p>One of the many benefits of communicating with instructors is that it can help you feel more comfortable in college and more connected to the college culture. Students who communicate with their instructors are less likely to become dispirited\u00a0and drop out.<\/p>\n<p>Communicating with instructors is also a valuable way to learn about an academic field or a career. Maybe you don\u2019t know for sure what you want to major in, or what people with a degree in your chosen major actually do after college. Most instructors will share information and insights with you.<\/p>\n<p>You may also need a reference or a letter of recommendation for a job or internship application. Getting to know some of your instructors puts you in an ideal position to ask for a letter of recommendation or a reference later on.<\/p>\n<p>Because instructors are often well connected within their field, they may know of a job, internship, or research opportunity\u00a0that you\u00a0wouldn&#8217;t otherwise know\u00a0about. An instructor who knows you is a valuable part of your network. Networking is important for future job searches and other opportunities. In fact, most jobs are found through networking, not through classified ads or online job postings. (See the section\u00a0on Networking.)<\/p>\n<p>Think about what being \u201ceducated\u201d truly means: how one thinks, understands society and the world, and responds to problems and new situations. Much of this learning occurs outside of the formal class. Communicating with your instructors can be among your most meaningful experiences in college.<\/p>\n<h2>Guidelines for Communicating with Instructors<\/h2>\n<p>Getting along with instructors and communicating well begins with attitude. As experts in their field, instructors deserve respect. Remember that a college education is a collaborative process that works best when students and instructors communicate freely in an exchange of ideas, information, and perspectives. So while it pays to respect your instructors, there is no need to fear them. As you get to know them better, you\u2019ll learn their personalities and find appropriate ways to talk to them. Below\u00a0are some guidelines for getting along with and communicating with your instructors:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prepare before meeting with the instructor. Go over your notes on readings and lectures and write down your specific questions. You\u2019ll feel more comfortable, and the instructor will appreciate your being organized.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to introduce yourself. Especially near the beginning of the term, don\u2019t assume that your instructor has learned everyone\u2019s name yet, and don\u2019t make him or her have to ask you. Unless the instructor has already asked you to address him or her as \u201cDr. ____,\u201d \u201cMs. _____,\u201d or Mr. _______,\u201d or something similar, it\u2019s appropriate to say \u201cProfessor _______.\u201d<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Respect the instructor\u2019s time. In addition to teaching, college instructors participate in committees, conduct research and other professional work, and have personal lives. It&#8217;s not appropriate to arrive several minutes before the end of an office hour and expect the instructor to stay late to talk with you.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understand\u00a0that the instructor will recognize you from class. If you spent a lecture hour not paying attention, it will reflect badly on you to\u00a0come to an office hour to find out what you missed.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t try to fool an instructor. Insincere praise or making excuses for not doing an assignment will rarely play in your favor (they&#8217;ve heard it all before!). Nor is it a good idea to act\u00a0like you\u2019re \u201ctoo cool\u201d to take your classwork seriously\u2014another attitude that&#8217;s sure to put off\u00a0an instructor. To earn your instructor\u2019s respect, come to class prepared, do the work, genuinely participate in class, and show respect\u2014and the instructor will be happy to see you when you come to office hours or need some extra help.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to see things from the instructor\u2019s point of view. Imagine that you spent hours preparing for class, on a topic\u00a0that you find very interesting\u00a0and exciting. You are gratified when people understand what you\u2019re saying\u2014they really get it! And then a student after class asks, \u201cIs this going to be on the test?\u201d How would you feel?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be professional when talking to an instructor. You can be cordial and friendly, but it\u2019s ideal to keep it professional and on an adult level. Come to office hours prepared with your questions\u2014not just to chat or joke around. (Don\u2019t wear sunglasses or earphones in the office or check your cell phone for messages.) Be prepared to accept constructive criticism in a professional way, without taking it personally or complaining.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following infographic gives you a visual way to remember key concepts about communicating with your instructors.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/04\/25203609\/Talking-to-Profs-and-TAs.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1177\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1177\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/04\/25203609\/Talking-to-Profs-and-TAs-512x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Talking to Your Profs and TAs: 1. Use office hours. Many students never attend office hours. Profs wait alone or assume everyone understands the class. 2. Don't be afraid. You have valuable thoughts and you'r in college to learn. Ask questions early and often. 3. Have something to say. Your prof wants you to challenge ideas and be engaged. 4. Come prepared. You will gain more if you have specific questions ready. 5. Clarification can be easy. Often your question doesn't take long to sort out. Just go talk to your prof early.\" width=\"500\" height=\"1000\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3>Activity: Interacting with Your Instructors<\/h3>\n<h4>Objectives<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify options for communicating with instructors<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss the benefits of utilizing instructor office hours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Directions<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The word <em>instructor<\/em> comes from the Latin word<em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.myetymology.com\/latin\/struere.html\"> struere<\/a><\/em>, meaning build, construct. Make a list of ten ways in which you could take advantage of communicating with your instructor to help build and construct a powerful learning experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Effective Email Communication with Instructors<\/h2>\n<p>Just as digital messaging has become a primary form of communication in business and society, it has a growing role in education and has become an important and valuable means of communicating with instructors. Most college students are familiar with digital messaging, such as email, texting, and messages via the online-course learning-management system. Using digital messaging respects other people\u2019s time, allowing them to answer at a time of their choosing.<\/p>\n<p>However, digital communication with instructors is a written form of communication that differs from communicating with friends. Students who text with friends often adopt\u00a0shortcuts, such as not spelling out full words, ignoring capitalization and punctuation, and not focusing on grammar or using full sentences. Such texts are usually very informal and are not an appropriate style for communicating with instructors. Your instructors expect you to use a professional, respectful\u00a0tone and fairly formal style.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use a professional email name. If you have a nickname you use with friends, create a different account with a professional name for use with instructors, work supervisors, and others. \u201cBoatyMcBoatface\u201d is not an appropriate, professional email name.<\/li>\n<li>Include\u00a0something in\u00a0the subject line that readily communicates the purpose\/topic of your email: \u201cMay I make an appointment?\u201d says something; \u201cHelp!\u201d doesn\u2019t.<\/li>\n<li>Address digital messages as you do a letter, beginning \u201cDear Professor ____.\u201d Include your full name in the closing.<\/li>\n<li>Get to your point quickly and concisely.<\/li>\n<li>Write as you would in a paper for class, avoiding sarcasm, criticism, or negative language.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid abbreviations, nonstandard spelling, slang, and emoticons like smiley faces.<\/li>\n<li>Be courteous, accommodating, and respectful. Avoid stating expectations like, \u201cI\u2019ll expect to hear from you soon\u201d or \u201cIf I haven\u2019t heard by 4 p.m., I\u2019ll assume you\u2019ll accept my late paper.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>When you reply to a message, leave the original message within yours.<\/li>\n<li>End the message with a \u201cThank you\u201d or something similar.<\/li>\n<li>Proofread your message before sending it.<\/li>\n<li>Wait to send if you are upset. With any important message, it\u2019s a good idea to wait and review the message later before sending it. You may have expressed an emotion or thought that you will think better about later. Many problems have resulted when people send messages too quickly without thinking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Conflict-Resolution\u00a0Strategies<\/h2>\n<p>The most common &#8220;conflict&#8221;\u00a0that students experience with instructors is feeling that they&#8217;ve received a lower grade than they deserve.\u00a0\u00a0This may be especially true for new students not yet used to the higher standards of college. It can be disappointing to get a low grade, but try not to be too hard on yourself or on the instructor. Take a good look at what happened on the test or paper and make sure you know what to do better next time.<\/p>\n<p>If you genuinely believe you should have a higher grade, you can talk with your instructor. How you communicate in that conversation, however, is very important. Instructors are used to hearing students complain about grades, and they will likely patiently explain their standards for grading. In general, instructors seldom change grades. Still,\u00a0it can still be worthwhile to talk with the instructor. You will gain\u00a0from the experience even if your grade doesn&#8217;t change.<\/p>\n<p>Here are guidelines for talking about a grade or resolving any other problem or disagreement with an instructor:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go over the requirements for the paper or test and the instructor\u2019s comments. Be sure you actually have a reason to\u00a0evaluate the grade\u2014not just that you didn\u2019t do well. Be prepared with specific points you want to discuss.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make an appointment with your instructor. For face-to-face classes, don\u2019t try to talk about your concern before or after class.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be polite. Begin by politely explaining that you thought you did better on the assignment or test (not simply that you think you deserve a better grade) and that you\u2019d like to go over it to better understand the result.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allow the instructor to explain his or her comments on the assignment or grading of the test. Don\u2019t complain or whine; instead, show your appreciation for the explanation. Raise any specific questions, or make comments at this time. For example, you might say, \u201cI really thought I was being clear here when I wrote . . .\u201d<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use good listening skills. Whatever you do, don\u2019t argue!<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask what you can do to improve the grade, if possible. Can you rewrite the paper or do any extra-credit work to help make up for a test score? While you are showing that you would like to earn a higher grade in the course, also make it clear that you\u2019re willing to put in the effort and that you want to learn more, not just get the higher grade.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there is no opportunity to improve on this specific project, ask the instructor for advice on what you might do on the next assignment or when preparing for the next test. You may be offered some individual help or receive good study advice, and your instructor will respect your willingness to make the effort\u2014as long as it\u2019s clear that you\u2019re more interested in learning than getting a good\u00a0grade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Working with Instructors: Key Points<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Go the extra mile<\/strong>: Talk to your professor when you\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need an extension<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need clarification on course material<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are experiencing challenges in your personal life that impact your academic performance<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are considering pursuing a major or graduate degree in their subject area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Visit early<\/strong>: Building rapport with your professors early in the semester will pay off if you need an extension or extra help later on. Professors like it when you visit office hours, but they don&#8217;t appreciate it when panicked students ask for an extension an hour before an assignment is due. Most professors will be very accommodating if you ask for help well in advance.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Show your interest<\/strong>: Professors want you to be as interested in their subject as they are. Nothing excites them more than knowing you are passionate about what they teach. You can show your interest by participating in class, attending office hours, and emailing your professors if you have questions.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Meet your professor<\/strong>: Professors have many responsibilities to juggle including research, teaching, traveling to conferences, and administrative tasks. However, they DO want to talk with you. Go to office hours and meet your professors!<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Build relationships<\/strong>: Believe it or not, your professors are really interesting people. You might just enjoy their company. They can also open doors to academic research, serve as mentors, and may write you a reference letter down the road. Build strong relationships with your profs while you have the chance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following video from the University of Toronto Scarborough is a good summary of the ideas and guidelines shared in this section\u00a0on working with instructors:<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=42lMFQqc4LI<\/p>\n<p>There are a lot of different resources students can use to deepen their learning: peer communities, previous assignments, tests, and\u2014perhaps most importantly\u2014instructors. Your instructors want you to succeed: they can be great allies in your learning experience.<\/p>\n<p>The following activity goes over some of the tips we covered for communicating with your instructors, and presents some examples for you to look at.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oppia.org\/explore\/hggOmiJ7bNGF?iframed=true\" width=\"700\" height=\"1500\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"beyond-the-classroom-text-version\/\" target=\"_blank\">Click here for a text-only version of the activity.<\/a><br \/>\n\t<iframe id=\"lumen_assessment_902\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/load?assessment_id=902&#38;embed=1&#38;external_user_id=&#38;external_context_id=&#38;iframe_resize_id=lumen_assessment_902\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:400px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-1170\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Working with Instructors. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Linda Bruce. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Image of Tutoring Center. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Tulane Public Relations. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/672w8h\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/672w8h<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Profs and TAs. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: UBC LEAP. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rzQ_f4vzciM\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rzQ_f4vzciM<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Talking to your Profs and TAs. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: University of British Columbia Learning Commons. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/learningcommons.ubc.ca\/student-toolkits-2\/interacting-with-profs\/\">http:\/\/learningcommons.ubc.ca\/student-toolkits-2\/interacting-with-profs\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Communicating with Instructors. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/sdvmaster\/chapter\/7-3-communicating-with-instructors\/\">https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/sdvmaster\/chapter\/7-3-communicating-with-instructors\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">All rights reserved content<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Student\/Faculty Relationships at Dickinson College. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Joe O&#039;Neill. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UZ0r4v7JBAk\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UZ0r4v7JBAk<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em>All Rights Reserved<\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Standard YouTube license<\/li><li>How To: Communicate with Professors. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: UTSC Academic Advising &amp; Career Centre. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=42lMFQqc4LI\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=42lMFQqc4LI<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em>All Rights Reserved<\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Standard YouTube license<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":923,"menu_order":6,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Working with Instructors\",\"author\":\"Linda Bruce\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of Tutoring Center\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Tulane Public Relations\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/672w8h\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"Student\/Faculty Relationships at Dickinson College\",\"author\":\"Joe O\\'Neill\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UZ0r4v7JBAk\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube license\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Profs and TAs\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"UBC LEAP\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rzQ_f4vzciM\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Talking to your Profs and TAs\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"University of British Columbia Learning Commons\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/learningcommons.ubc.ca\/student-toolkits-2\/interacting-with-profs\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"How To: Communicate with Professors\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"UTSC Academic Advising & Career Centre\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=42lMFQqc4LI\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube license\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Communicating with Instructors\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/sdvmaster\/chapter\/7-3-communicating-with-instructors\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-1170","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":133,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/923"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1327,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1170\/revisions\/1327"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/133"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1170\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=1170"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=1170"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=1170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}