WeedenKimMar 10, 2023

Easily on track to receive more than 1000 emails related to my course this term, not including Slack and Canvas messages. (Also doesn't include emails that just went to a TA.) Not all messages required an answer, but still.

I'm fairly sure this represents more emails per student than any other year I've taught the same course, inc. during the peak of pandemic. Increase is not due to changes in structure of course or in availability of office hours, which are constant.

What gives?

Show threadCraig FroehleMar 12, 2023

@WeedenKim I haven't seen an increase in emails, but I've noticed more students lacking fundamental studenting skills like taking notes, managing a calendar, or just being organized.

I literally had nearly a third of my class ask me for scratch paper at our first quiz involving math. How do you not show up to a quiz with basic writing materials?

I'm guessing being able to leave class & go find things with your camera off led to some bad habits or incorrect assumptions about how things work.

Show threadElizabeth Wrigley-FieldMar 13, 2023
@cra1g @WeedenKim To your specific example, I always provide scratch paper because I don't want them bringing their own notes (if it's not an open-note quiz). Maybe they've only had classes like mine? They've probably had fewer in-person quizzes overall after so many online classes.
Show threadCraig FroehleMar 13, 2023
@wrigleyfield @WeedenKim All my assessments are 100% open-book/open-notes (because I don't want them worrying about memorizing things) and they know that from day one of the course.
Show threadElizabeth Wrigley-Field
@cra1g @WeedenKim OK, then I cannot account for their arriving empty-handed! I haven't seen what you're seeing exactly, but I am seeing a lot more unfamiliarity with the basic computing structures my university uses (like google docs) and difficulty reading long pieces.
Mar 13, 2023 at 10:15pmWeb