1.3: Contacting Your Instructor
- Page ID
- 223094
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)There are at least two methods for contacting teachers at Butler: email and Canvas messaging. Some teachers also have office phone numbers and regular office hours. At any college you attend, professors will have differing preferences and ability regarding communication.
As a student, it is your job to look in the syllabus to find out how to contact your teacher. At Butler, teachers put their contact methods in the syllabus, and this is true of most other collegiate institutions as well. You can always find your syllabus in Canvas; simply navigate to the course in Canvas and click "Syllabus" on the course menu (to the left of the screen).
When you contact your instructor, be specific and provide your name and class. If you don't include this information, your teacher might not understand your question. For example, if you simply messaged your instructor and asked, "What was the homework for next week?" your teacher wouldn't know what class you were referring to. Always provide enough information for your teacher to identify who you are and answer your questions.
Also, be specific when you email your teachers. Whether you are asking for help with a paper or asking about homework, tell your teacher what you understand and what you don't. You always want to take the initiative to look at the syllabus before you ask your teacher questions and show your teacher that you did some brainstorming and thinking on your own before you turned to them. Remember, as a college student, your work and understanding is your responsibility.
Avoid text language and use punctuation when you email your teachers. This is an English class, and while you are not graded on your course communications, you should employ the English language with clarity and precision when communicating with teachers. Always use periods and question marks at the ends of sentences so your point is easy to understand, even if you are sending a message from your cell phone.
Vague and Confusing Messages
Hi i was wondering what the homework is i missed class last week thanks
i don't understand the synthesis paper assignment can you help me?
Specific, Proofread Messages
Hello Dr. Trenary! I missed class this Wednesday. I looked up the reading in the syllabus and will have that done, but I was wondering if there was other homework I should complete for Monday. Thanks.
Chris Jones
Hello Professor Smith. I am confused about the synthesis paper. I did work on brainstorming, and I want to write about Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X and their process of education. However, I am having a hard time figuring out a thesis and organization. Can I please bring my notes and meet with you on Monday or Tuesday for help? Thanks!
Jaime Hernandez
See this page from Inside Higher Ed for more help emailing your teachers.