Target Audience: Secondary, tertiary.

Language Proficiency: Variable, according to task.

Learning Focus: Course management, student support.

Technology Needed: Email.

Helpful Hints for Email and Course Management:

• Create a nickname file or group list for your course. You can then update all learners at once in regard to changes in assignments, reminders, upcoming events, and new resources/references to explore.
  
  
• Read through all learner messages first before posting a response. If there is an issue common to all, you can post a message to the entire course.
  
  
• Know your institution's policy in advance surrounding use of email accounts and the sharing of personal information within and outside of class.
  
  
• Model clear communication and professional email and netiquette practices in your own communication with students. Provide specific examples and give feedback early in the course when communication practices are first being formed.

More on this Topic:

The appropriate use of email and internet etiquette, also called "netiquette," is frequently something learners need in Business English. As with all areas of language and communication, correspondence has inherent cultural biases and protocols. While it is incorrect to assume that the Internet is an English-speaking-only medium, it is important to enable users to communicate effectively in English when they are interacting in online modes of communication. It can be helpful to review emailing or discussion standards. References for this include:

Albion: Netiquette Home Page.
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/

IEEE: E-mail Netiquette Guidelines.
http://eleccomm.ieee.org/email-netiquette.shtml

OnlineNetiquette.com.
http://www.onlinenetiquette.com/

PennState:On line Interactions and Communication.
http://tlt.psu.edu/suggestions/suggestion_index.html#interact

Kay Westerfield, Global Communication Consulting,kwesterf@uoregon.edu