tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22001031.post1522926934629569450..comments2024-02-28T18:29:41.120-08:00Comments on Not of General Interest: Email Pongundinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05589384016564587214noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22001031.post-41727778489560975202013-02-20T21:03:05.833-08:002013-02-20T21:03:05.833-08:00Dr. Koshary, I think it's more practical to do...Dr. Koshary, I think it's more practical to do that, too--let them figure it out. And if they're not sure, why, there it is right in the syllabus if they want to read it. <br /><br />Contingent Cassandra, I think our system shuts off the ponging after a few autoreplies, too, but the image was too good to waste. <br /><br />It's true that they'll figure some things out if they have to work at it a little. undinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05589384016564587214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22001031.post-35873103709082125262013-02-19T19:54:47.695-08:002013-02-19T19:54:47.695-08:00I, too, think that declaring an interval within wh...I, too, think that declaring an interval within which you will strive to answer emails on the syllabus (mine is 24 hours during the week, 48 hours over the weekend, which actually, if you think about it, allows me to take the weekend off if I choose) is enough. I do think that not answering emails (even, perhaps especially, those with URGENT!!! and HELP!!! and PLEASE ANSWER!! in the subject line) is pedagogically appropriate as well as a sanity-saver. It's amazing how many questions students manage to figure out for themselves (by thinking, or reading course materials, or both) if one lets even half an hour go by (I have a cousin with soon-to-be-college-age children who was really horrified by this observation, since it seriously differs from the vision of the college experience she'd like for her children, but it's true). <br /><br />And yes, the ponging image is amusing, and could, I think, happen in some situations. Our current email system allows (requires?) one to set an interval between auto-replies to a particular correspondent, perhaps to avoid just this scenario (which I imagine might bring down a server if it went on too long or too rapidly). Contingent Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08161652083031423415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22001031.post-92190070154199456112013-02-19T08:02:56.921-08:002013-02-19T08:02:56.921-08:00The Pong is funny for sure. But, in terms of actu...The Pong is funny for sure. But, in terms of actually declaring your email habits, I think it's not only precious but counter-productive. Too many students, at least, are inclined to read this as an implicit right to have their grievances and questions heard instantaneously when that period begins. I think it's much more practical to simply let them figure out that they cannot expect me to reply right away to an email sent in the late evening hours, or that I will necessarily respond to anything on their personal timetable. This is especially fresh in my mind, having just dealt with a nervous-nellie student who would have conducted a real-time conversation via email past my bedtime if I permitted the possibility.Dr. Kosharyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777054788430587906noreply@blogger.com