SITES Redux

I agree with ya'll, and with some of the profs in the article, that email technology has to be discussed as a means for communication between teacher and student. With all communication, one has to be socialized to use it. Email is "new", so students (and teachers) are still establishing the rules. Though I think it is a benefit of the technology that students are thinking critically about authority, using email as a sort of "coward's whinging post" is, well, cheap. And sometimes they have to be told that.

Further, I think many students don't understand that discussing grades or an unpleasant incident that went down in class, is best handled in real time, live and in person. Not only is that the most confidential way, but it arms both parties with tools like body language and a socialized inner censor to help gauge the situation.

I also find it fascinating that we as instructors often struggle with boundaries, as one commentor in the article said "I am always on call." Actually, we're not. Part of responsible and reasonable use is understanding the human scale. For example, I tell my students that I don't check email after 5pm or on the weekends. I also have IM office hours for 4 hours-and 4 hours only- during the week. I have an IM name just for this. I think this boundary setting is equivalent to the stuff I do with older techs. For example, I don't answer my cellphone when I am in a resturant. Like Bette Davis, sometimes I just want to be alone.

Something Erin said recently I think is applicable here: It is important to remember where students are developmentally. Sure they might try to send an email asking "what did I miss?" on a day they were sick, but we as instructors (particularly Rhet/Comp instructors) should tell them that they have misjudged audience and purpose in that situation. They are, in that case, failing to take responsibility for themselves in a way that is no longer acceptable. This might have worked in high school but it isn't kosher in the college classroom.