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Technology
has exploded at a somewhat intimidating rate, and at times you may
feel that you are doing so much maintenance on your individual Web
site, Internet searching, or e-mail/forum communication with students
that you have less even less time for a personal life outside of Rutgers.
It doesn't help that students keep somewhat different hours than we
do and do not understand why we didn't immediately answer an e-mail
sent frantically at 2:00 am. They want instant messages to be answered
instantly, even if you are talking to a few other students, working
on your website, posting to the forum, and checking out the Link-O-Mat
simultaneously. Here are some tips from people who are in various
stages of recovery from technology overload.
Email Boundaries
By Barclay Barrios
I think it's crucial to establish firm boundaries with your students
around email. The temptation for them is to email you at any time,
and the temptation for you is to check your email all the time.
The problem, of course, is that this fosters dependence in your
students and leaves you "always on the clock." In the
end, it's in the best interests of all your students as well as
your sanity to establish firm email boundaries. Here are some suggestions:
- Have separate work and personal email addresses. I always use
RCI as my work email—students get that address but friends
get a different one. That way, I don't have to worry about work
interrupting my personal time.
- Make clear when you check mail and when you don't. I let students
know I only check mail when in the office. Otherwise, they need
to wait for me to get in the next day (or after the weekend).
- Limit what can be done through email. I don't accept papers
through email without special arrangement. I don't comment on
drafts emailed to me except through special arrangement. I make
it clear that email is best used for brief correspondence, such
as alerting me to an absence or asking me a question. Anything
more significant is best handled in person.
- Provide alternate means of contact. I let students know the
best way to reach me is by phone—often I am simply too busy
to answer emails, but if they reach me by phone, they get a reply
right away. You might not want to give out your phone number,
but you can provide your own hierarchy of contact. You might,
for example, tell students the best way to reach you is right
before or after class, and then in your office hours, and then
with a note in your mailbox, and only then by email.
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