Professional E-mail Etiquette

The society we live in now, e-mail is a part of most peoples day to day lives. It has become a huge part of my life since starting college and is now one of my main ways of communication. With e-mail being an important part of my professional relationships, there are quite a few tips to put in place to make sure I am using proper email etiquette.

I was able to find many resources that all listed the same top 10 tips on ways to write an effective email. 

1. Make the subject line count

Make sure the subject line is detailed enough so the reader knows what is inside and make sure it is exciting or important enough that they want to read it!

2. Get to the point

Put the most important information in the first line. Readers often won't wait to the end of the email to get the important stuff!

3. Identify yourself

This is especially important when emailing professors. Be sure they know what class you are in and in any situation be sure that the reader knows what you are asking about. 

4. Keep the text language to yourself

Avoid text lingo such as "brb" or "ttyl"

5. Keep it short

The recipient will be more likely to read all of your email if you keep it under 2 paragraphs. If you must write more than that consider using bullet points. 

6. Say Hello

It is always polite to start your email with hello or good morning, etc. 

7. Proofread

Reading over your email before you send it can catch a lot of simple grammar mistakes. 

8. Be pleasant

It is important to always be polite in your emails. Even if you are annoyed with the situation or the person don't show it in your email!

9. Respond fast

Email is supposed to be fast. It is beneficial to respond within 24 hours. If you are not able to   fully answer the email be sure to send the person a short note letting them know that you received the email and you will be responding soon. 

10. Have an appropriate signature

 Make sure your signature is appropriate and free of smiley faces or silly fonts. Others may see this as immature and may not take your message as seriously. 

Overall it is important that your emails are professional and efficient. This fun video goes through all the key email tips in just 2 minutes! Check it out!

"You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere."

-Lee Iacocca

Sources:

"Email Etiquette." About Emails. 2013. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. Email Etiquette

Maynez, Neltje. "Inbox Detox". 10 Ways to Write Professional Emails:Advice for College Students. 

          2013. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.10 Ways to Write a Professional Email

Nordquist, Richard. "10 Tips on How to Write a Professional Email." About Education. 2014. Web. 6           Oct. 2014. 10 Tips on How to Write an Effective Email

Am I Clear?: Clarity of Instruction

One thing that is incredibly important to be a successful teacher is clarity of instruction. However, this is something I find myself struggling with. My instructions sound clear in my head but when I give them to a group they seem lost. How can I improve my ability to give clear and concise instructions?

I found many articles that talked about the importance of clarity. Mike Schmoker gives three elements that we should approach with the most simplicity and clarity in his article "The Importance of Simplicity, Clarity and Priority." Those three elements are what we teach, how we teach and authentic literacy. He talks about how all three of those things should be taken seriously but teachers should always be sure that they are not making it too intense that it is going over the heads of the students. 

So what we teach, how we teach and the language we use is important but how can I make sure that those three things are clear to my students? Montgomery County Schools in Maryland created a list of teacher behaviors that assist students in making sense of information. They included tips such as making sure you were teaching at a pace appropriate to the content and the students, asking questions, making sure all students understand before moving on. 

This article also provided a list of explanatory devices that teachers can use to help provide clarity. 
1. Mental imagery
2. Modeling thinking aloud
3. Progressive Cues
4. Analogies
5. Physical Models
6. Media/Technology
7. Charts
8. Blackboard

I really liked this devices because they helped me think of ways to incorporate them into my classes to help students understand what I am trying to get across! 

Another useful tool that I was able to find was the Instructional Clarity Checklist from the Arizona FFA. This checklist has 24 different questions that you can use to assess the clarity of your instruction. I think this would be a beneficial checklist to do yourself but also to have my students or cooperating teacher do as well. 

This YouTube video on giving clear classroom instructions expands on everything that I had read in the articles. The video really focuses on tips for the teacher to help make sure your directions are understood by all of the students. 

"Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted."

-David Bly

Sources:

"Instructional Clarity Checklist." Instructional Techniques for New Instructors. Az. FFA, 2011. Web.
          3 Oct. 2014.

"Model Three Teacher Tip: Clarity." Montgomery County Schools. MCSD, 2012. Web. 3 Oct. 2014.

Schmoker, Mike. "The Importance of Simplicity, Clarity and Priority." ASCD. 2011. Web. 3 Oct.
          2014.

Where does the time go?

Time Management Tips for Teachers

Time management has always been something I have struggled with. It seems like there is just not enough time in the day! How can I be sure that I manage my time more effectively especially once I

have my own classroom someday?

An article written by Remez Sasson for  the Success Consciousness website listed many reasons why time management is important. It begins by saying that time is a resource that you cannot store or save for later. Therefore the time you waste, you cannot get back! It goes on to say how having proper time management skills helps you to set up your priorities and be more productive throughout your entire day. 

We all know that time management is important but how can I improve my time management skills? Concordia Online Education gives 5 tips to manage your time. The tips were focused specifically for teachers! I really liked these tips because they were simple but effective and I can see ways I would implement them into my future classroom and even while I am student teaching. 

1. Organize the day by priorities

          Make sure the most important tasks happen!

2. Strategically plan homework assignments

          Differentiate between what will be useful to do in class and what can be done at home

3. Avoid loaded procrastination

          Small piles of paper is easier to manage and the feedback will be more useful!

4. Plan for potential crisis

           Have a plan of action!

5. Set aside personal time

           Prioritize and make sure you have time for yourself 

Check out this YouTube video that provides 3 tips to help manage time! It focuses on the "RAC" Method: Recording, Analyzing and Changing

Check out this website containing many Teacher Resources for Time Management. These resources include things such as a daily planner, guides to procrastination and even a teachers guide to sleep! 

Even though it might seem like there is just not enough time in the day, there are many resources, tips and techniques to help me manage my time. These will be beneficial while I am student teaching and also in my future classroom someday!

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot!"

Resources:

"5 Time Management Tips for Teachers." Concordia Online Education. N.P., 2014. Web. 28 

            September 2014.5 Time Management Tips for Teachers

Sasson, Remez. "Importance of Time Management." Success Consciousness. N.P., 2014. Web. 28 

            September 2014. Importance of Time Management

"Top 10 Resources to Help Teachers Manage Time." The Guardian: Teacher Network. N.P. 2014. 

            Web. 28 September 2014. Top 10 Resources to Help Teachers Manage Time