Email the Courtesy Call

Numerous posts (see: Helping Students be There and Make the Courtesy Call ) addressed the idea of contacting the students prior to class to convey important information and help develop a sense of community. The example below is an email that Chris Matthews, Tai Chi instructor, sends his students.

“Hi everyone,Wanted to remind you all that you are signed up for a Tai Chi for Health class this weekend, Sat. and Sun., Nov 14 & 15. The class will be held at Focus Physical Therapy offices located at 901 NW Carlon Ave (just off Broadway and Colorado next to the Deschutes River). Class will run from 8:30 to 11:30 am. I will be there about 8:15 so feel free to get there a little early.We will be taking some breaks so please bring some light snacks for yourself as we will not have time to go out for anything. Wear comfortable clothes and Focus does ask that we not wear shoes on their practice floor, so if you are comfortable in socks that is great but if not please bring a clean pair of shoes to wear.I have attached some information on tai chi and qigong for you to look at when you have time. You do not need to bring this information to class.If you have any questions before class please feel free to call me at 541-555-1234 or email me. Look forward to seeing you Saturday!”

Thanks to Rachel Knox for this post

Make the Courtesy Call

Has someone given you a courtesy call to remind you of an appointment? I find them to be of value and decided to extend the same courtesy to my students. It has turned out to make the beginning of class much smoother. This results from the calls being a time to answer questions and/or pass on additional information.

An example that comes to mind is the student who informed me during the call that they would not be unable to attend the class. I advised them to contact the department at (541) 383-7270 and make the necessary arrangements. Additional information that can be given includes:

• A statement about parking conditions.
• What items the student needs to bring to class.
• The availability of food.
• Directions to the classroom.
  

I make the call about a week in advance of the class. The script is along the following lines:

Hi, my name is (your name) and I am calling to remind you that our class (fill in the topic) will be starting on (fill in the day), at (fill in the time). It is located in room (fill in the number), at the (fill in the campus).

Contact your program manager for a class roster with names and telephone numbers.

Helping the Students be There

Have you noticed how the doctor, dentist, and other professionals give you a telephone reminder of your appointment? Why not give the students a reminder?

Some of our instructors have found that a simple, short phone call several days before the start of class can be a rewarding experience for both the instructor and the student. For example, it serves not only to heighten anticipation of the class, it can be a time to unravel any mysteries— where is the classroom, should they bring anything, are there snack facilities, etc.

Of particular note is the opportunity to talk with the students before the class begins. Discovering the reason they are attending, their prior knowledge of the subject, what they would like to obtain from the class, etc., can provide for those last minute adjustments to class activities that turn it into a better learning experience for everyone.

Your program manager can give you a student roster with telephone numbers.