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Communication

• Post all questions to the discussion thread.  Posting questions here will prevent your asking the same question as another student.  
   
• Answer all questions for your classmates that you can.  If you know the answer to a classmate's question, by all means answer it!  You and your classmates are valuable resources for information in the classroom.  In fact, by helping your classmates, you will actually be reinforcing memory of the information for yourself! 
   
• Avoid using your instructor's home phone number.  Normally, your instructor does not call you at home.  Only call your instructor at home if you have a serious emergency.  Otherwise, e-mail, his/her office phone, and in-office visits are excellent ways to communicate with your instructor.
   
• Keep a copy of all correspondence between you and your instructor and classmates.  You never know when you need to refer back to a message, lecture, or assignment.
   
• Proofread and spell check all correspondence.  Sloppy messages are frustrating to read and convey an image of disinterest.
   
• Keep in touch with your instructor and classmates!  Make sure that you never go a week without being heard.  Don't just send in assignments; whether you post on the discussion board, send an e-mail, chat, or use the whiteboard, make sure that your instructor and classmates know you are still there.  
   
• Contact your instructor immediately if you have a problem.  Remember, you can still call your instructor on the phone if you need to.
   
• Virus check all attachments.  If possible, avoid sending attachments to classmates and your instructor.  Be wary of attachments sent to you from others.

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