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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Effective Communication

Definition

Communication with your students is a complex process, but an important part of university teaching. Communicating effectively with your students will help build trust, promote respectful behaviour, and decrease chances of misunderstanding. In an online or flexible hybrid setting, effective communication can also help decrease negative interactions online.

Explanation

Students are inundated with communication during their studies from numerous channels. While they have to navigate and understand course material to be successful in university, a lot of their success depends on their ability to receive, interpret, and act upon the information that is communicated to them.

Email
While email is an easy and fast way to deliver important information to your students, it may not always work best - in fact, studies show that up to 50% of students do not read emails from their institution or academic department/faculty (EAB, 2019).

Canvas

The learning management system provides a robust set of tools for communicating with students. However, research has shown that often instructors simply post material on the LMS without using the other interactive tools, such as discussion boards, chats, and conferences (Adzharuddin and Ling, 2013).

Application

  • Be clear in your expectations for communication
    Be clear in what you want students to do, where to do it, and when to do it.

    Keep in mind that dates can be easy to misread if written in numeric form - this can change from region to region. Indicate a.m. vs p.m. and applicable time zone (Eastern Time for Ontario Tech) when possible.

    Indicate when, where, and how students can reach you. Be sure to indicate your preferred contact method on your course outline as well, but do not include personal emails or phone numbers.

    Set deadlines for responding to student communication. Having a set or “canned” communication statement can be helpful.

    The procedure (e.g., by appointment only), time, and location for office hours should be explicit and clear.
  • Limit additional barriers for students
    Avoid using extra jargon, figures of speech, or sarcasm in communication with students, especially in written format.

    Use multiple forms of representation for important information.

    Keep navigation on Canvas simple and straightforward. Students should be able to find material in its expected location.
  • Provide options and ask for opinions
    Allow students to have input on communication standards in class (e.g., LMS announcement frequency, chat usage, webcams on/off, etc.) This can build trust and improve student satisfaction.

    Understand that not all students will feel comfortable using a webcam and/or microphone due to their living situation. Some students do not have access to reliable Internet or these devices.

    Consider being flexible for students who are juggling multiple responsibilities at home or work, and/or are joining the class from a different time zone.

Examples

Instructor

Jenny Lock, PhD

Lecture Time and Location

Mondays, 12:40 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time: UA 1140

Wednesdays, 12:40 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time: Online, using the Media Gallery link in Canvas

Office Hours Time and Location

By appointment only. Please email me to arrange for an appointment. Appointments are only available from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Communicating with the Professor

Preferred Email: jennylock@faculty.ca


I will check emails regularly Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Please allow me 48 hours to respond. I will not be checking emails on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). Do not email me through the course LMS.

Example of a communication plan in a course outline.

An example of ineffective versus effective communication posts.

 An example of ineffective versus effective course announcements in Canvas.

References

Adzharuddin, N. A., & Ling, L. H. (2013). Learning management system (LMS) among university students: Does it work. International Journal of e-Education, e-Business, e-Management and e-Learning, 3(3), 248-252.

EAB, Education Advisory Board. (2019). 5 types of emails students ignore—and how to get your emails opened. https://eab.com/insights/daily-briefing/student-success/5-types-of-emails-students-ignore-and-how-to-get-your-emails-opened/