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Abstract
This article investigates the appropriate use of email among secondary and postsecondary students and instructors and provides recommendations for proper email etiquette. A review of the current literature shows that poor email etiquette can impact the working relationship between teachers and students. Evidence indicates that email etiquette must be addressed during the secondary curriculum. The authors offer justification for the necessity of teaching email etiquette to secondary students. Additionally, the authors provide and lesson ideas and tips for educators to share with students.
Key words: communication; email; etiquette; netiquette
"U gave me a 0 on my project and I don't know why. Email me back by midnight tonight and fix it, please thank you." Some students send emails like this to their teachers, and then are shocked when the teacher doesn't immediately reply. Poor email etiquette can cause a strain between teachers and student. However, if used properly, email communication between students and instructors has a positive impact on student success (Weiss & HansonBaldauf, 2008). The formality of students' emails impacts teachers' attitudes toward the emails themselves, their responses to students, as well as the level of credibility the instructors perceive in the email, and their willingness to comply with a request in the email (Stephens, Houser, & Cowan, 2009).
In emails with their teachers, students often use casual wording and spelling that is normally employed in text messaging and social media. Text messaging is extremely common among students, with 88% of teenagers using text messaging and sending an average of 3,364 texts a month (Pew Research Center, 2012), so it is understandable, (but not acceptable) that informal writing habits carry into their emails to their instructors. Students are probably unaware of the poor impression conveyed by casual emails.
Consequently, if teachers expect their students to send proper emails, they should make an effort to ensure that students are aware of what is appropriate.
The Need for Etiquette Instruction
Email is a common and valuable form of asynchronous communication between teachers and students (Leidman, Piwinsky, & McKeague, 2012), but it can be more than a tool for answering questions or submitting assignments. When used as an educational aid, email can be purposeful and helpful in the secondary classroom. Teachers can use email...