5 Effective Student-Professor Communication

Now that you have developed a picture of the role that your professors will have in your online learning journey, how might you develop an effective relationship with them?

Consider the following suggestions:

1. When you look at a course reading, activity, or assignment, try to put yourself inside the mind of your professor. Why do you think they chose this particular learning experience for you? What do you think they intend for you to learn? Understanding the purpose of a learning activity can increase your motivation and help you stay on track with your work.
2. Take advantage of opportunities to connect with your professor, either face-to-face during learning block weeks or during online office hours.
3. Check the course site regularly. Your professor is likely to post announcements and other key messages for the class. This provides another point of frequent contact.
4. Use email effectively to connect. You will learn more about how to construct an effective email in the section on professional communication in this resource – but if you are curious, you may choose to view the chapter on how to email a professor now.