{"id":354,"date":"2018-04-11T12:55:30","date_gmt":"2018-04-11T16:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=354"},"modified":"2018-05-18T19:28:04","modified_gmt":"2018-05-18T23:28:04","slug":"connect-with-your-instructor","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/chapter\/connect-with-your-instructor\/","title":{"raw":"Connect With Your Instructor","rendered":"Connect With Your Instructor"},"content":{"raw":"A key to your post-secondary success is knowing your instructors and what they identify as important in each of your courses. Developing good relationships with instructors involves good communication in and outside of class times. They are available to meet, communicate, and talk with you, but you must plan how to connect with them during their available times. It is part of an instructor's job to talk to learners outside class, and most successful learners take advantage of that option. It is your right to visit instructors during office hours and discuss any problems or concerns that you have in their course.\r\n\r\n<strong>In-Class Communication<\/strong>\r\n\r\nTo build your relationship with your instructor in-class, consider ways that you can show your interest in the course material. Some ways to do this are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Listen actively during class to determine what is most important to the instructor.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Avoid arguing with the instructor. If you disagree with something said in class, try to ask questions about the topic after class.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Read the textbook before class and prepare questions to ask.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Let your instructor know what interests you about the course.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Communicating in Office Hours<\/strong>\r\n\r\nInstructors hold office hours outside of class. Whenever possible, try to meet your instructor during these times. You can use office hours to ask questions about the course material, to get clarification about the requirements for an assignment, or to learn more about a topic from the class that you find particularly interesting. Some tips for using office hours effectively:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Arrive on time to be respectful of your instructor\u2019s and other students\u2019 time.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Come prepared by bringing your textbook and other course materials.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Prepare questions ahead of time.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Summarize key points to make sure you understand.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Communicating By Email<\/strong>\r\n\r\nInstructors often receive many e-mails from students. To write an effective e-mail, consider the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Use your university e-mail account when possible.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In the subject line, write the course name and topic of your email\r\n(e.g. <em>BIOL 1100 Lab Report 2).<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use a professional greeting in the e-mail (\u201cDear\u201d rather than \u201cHey!\u201d).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Write your question or concern in short, clear sentences.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>End your e-mail with an appropriate conclusion (e.g. \u201cThank you in advance for your help\u201d, or \u201cThank you for your time and consideration\u201d).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Allow time for your instructor to respond \u2013 don\u2019t expect an instant reply.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_514\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"555\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/04\/Connectwithyourinstructor.png\" alt=\"Example Email from instructor to student\" width=\"555\" height=\"354\" class=\"size-full wp-image-514\" \/> Image Credit: Rawia Inaim[\/caption]\r\n\r\nBy showing an interest, taking time to communicate with your instructor throughout the course, and using e-mail effectively, you will be well on your way to building a good relationship that will support your communication and learning.\u00a0[footnote] Study Guides and Strategies. (n.d.). <em>Influencing teachers and improving classroom communication skills<\/em>. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.studygs.net\/attmot2.htm \u21b5[\/footnote]\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\r\n<h3 itemprop=\"educationalUse\">Try It!<\/h3>\r\nIf you have already reviewed your course presentation, you will know when and where you can contact your instructor during office hours.\u00a0 Plan to drop by your instructor's office hours this week.\u00a0 If you don't yet have a question to ask, consider having a brief conversation with your instructor about one of the following topics:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>What is one thing I can do to \/ be successful in this course?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>How do the concepts I will learn in this class connect with other courses I will take in the future?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>What can I do to improve my class participation\/ writing\/ presentation skills?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>What interests you most about your field?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/05\/Instructor-Communication-Activity.pdf\">Download a printable version of this activity.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-highlight\">\r\n<h3 itemprop=\"educationalUse\">Extend Your Learning<\/h3>\r\nCommunicating with your instructor may seem straight forward, but there are some strategies that can improve your communication significantly and further support your in-class learning.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.studygs.net\/attmot2.htm\">Find out more about improving your classroom communication skills and 10 \"What would you do?\" scenarios<\/a> online here.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<p>A key to your post-secondary success is knowing your instructors and what they identify as important in each of your courses. Developing good relationships with instructors involves good communication in and outside of class times. They are available to meet, communicate, and talk with you, but you must plan how to connect with them during their available times. It is part of an instructor&#8217;s job to talk to learners outside class, and most successful learners take advantage of that option. It is your right to visit instructors during office hours and discuss any problems or concerns that you have in their course.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In-Class Communication<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To build your relationship with your instructor in-class, consider ways that you can show your interest in the course material. Some ways to do this are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Listen actively during class to determine what is most important to the instructor.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid arguing with the instructor. If you disagree with something said in class, try to ask questions about the topic after class.<\/li>\n<li>Read the textbook before class and prepare questions to ask.<\/li>\n<li>Let your instructor know what interests you about the course.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Communicating in Office Hours<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Instructors hold office hours outside of class. Whenever possible, try to meet your instructor during these times. You can use office hours to ask questions about the course material, to get clarification about the requirements for an assignment, or to learn more about a topic from the class that you find particularly interesting. Some tips for using office hours effectively:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arrive on time to be respectful of your instructor\u2019s and other students\u2019 time.<\/li>\n<li>Come prepared by bringing your textbook and other course materials.<\/li>\n<li>Prepare questions ahead of time.<\/li>\n<li>Summarize key points to make sure you understand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Communicating By Email<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Instructors often receive many e-mails from students. To write an effective e-mail, consider the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use your university e-mail account when possible.<\/li>\n<li>In the subject line, write the course name and topic of your email<br \/>\n(e.g. <em>BIOL 1100 Lab Report 2).<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Use a professional greeting in the e-mail (\u201cDear\u201d rather than \u201cHey!\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>Write your question or concern in short, clear sentences.<\/li>\n<li>End your e-mail with an appropriate conclusion (e.g. \u201cThank you in advance for your help\u201d, or \u201cThank you for your time and consideration\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>Allow time for your instructor to respond \u2013 don\u2019t expect an instant reply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_514\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-514\" style=\"width: 555px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/04\/Connectwithyourinstructor.png\" alt=\"Example Email from instructor to student\" width=\"555\" height=\"354\" class=\"size-full wp-image-514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/04\/Connectwithyourinstructor.png 555w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/04\/Connectwithyourinstructor-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/04\/Connectwithyourinstructor-65x41.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/04\/Connectwithyourinstructor-225x144.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/04\/Connectwithyourinstructor-350x223.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 555px) 100vw, 555px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-514\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: Rawia Inaim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By showing an interest, taking time to communicate with your instructor throughout the course, and using e-mail effectively, you will be well on your way to building a good relationship that will support your communication and learning.\u00a0<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Study Guides and Strategies. (n.d.). Influencing teachers and improving classroom communication skills. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.studygs.net\/attmot2.htm \u21b5\" id=\"return-footnote-354-1\" href=\"#footnote-354-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"educationalUse\">Try It!<\/h3>\n<p>If you have already reviewed your course presentation, you will know when and where you can contact your instructor during office hours.\u00a0 Plan to drop by your instructor&#8217;s office hours this week.\u00a0 If you don&#8217;t yet have a question to ask, consider having a brief conversation with your instructor about one of the following topics:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What is one thing I can do to \/ be successful in this course?<\/li>\n<li>How do the concepts I will learn in this class connect with other courses I will take in the future?<\/li>\n<li>What can I do to improve my class participation\/ writing\/ presentation skills?<\/li>\n<li>What interests you most about your field?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/327\/2018\/05\/Instructor-Communication-Activity.pdf\">Download a printable version of this activity.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-highlight\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"educationalUse\">Extend Your Learning<\/h3>\n<p>Communicating with your instructor may seem straight forward, but there are some strategies that can improve your communication significantly and further support your in-class learning.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.studygs.net\/attmot2.htm\">Find out more about improving your classroom communication skills and 10 &#8220;What would you do?&#8221; scenarios<\/a> online here.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-354-1\"> Study Guides and Strategies. (n.d.). <em>Influencing teachers and improving classroom communication skills<\/em>. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.studygs.net\/attmot2.htm \u21b5 <a href=\"#return-footnote-354-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":244,"menu_order":10,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-354","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":350,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/244"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":672,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/354\/revisions\/672"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/350"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/354\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=354"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=354"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/studystrategizesucceed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}