The Good the Bad the Ugly 101 Lecture

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly 101 Lecture Etiquette E-mail Etiquette Lecturer Consultations

Lecture Etiquette Outcomes • To promote: • Awareness of student behaviours and attitudes that contribute towards a positive lecture environment • Student behaviours and attitudes that will help you get the most out of lectures • An understanding that your lecturer and fellow students appreciate cooperation for the benefit of all

We know your smart phone is cute and that you’re cool … but it can be really annoying when your latest ringtone interrupts Freud’s theory in mid sentence. . . So turn off your cellphone please We’re sure you will survive without being online for the next 40 minutes.

To sleep, perchance to dream…. z z Z We have all fallen asleep in class before, but the least you can do is not to snore!

Better still …. manage your life By getting enough sleep. . AT HOME!

Get the most out of lectures … It’s the least you can do …otherwise stay at the beach

wait. . do the maths So make the most out of each lecture. .

So you’re late again? Then you act like the lecturer should have waited for you! …. and then. . you ask in a loud stage whisper where the hand-out is! Oh no …. a latecomer from hell Which celebrity is your parent? ? ? • • • at least arrive subtly … try to be invisible… no fanfare or drum roll please take the closest seat avoid walking across the classroom

Talking § Okay, so you don’t know that your stage whisper is actually quite loud? § Understand, it’s disrespectful, distracting and inconsiderate towards lecturers and your fellow students § Plus, you miss out on the lecture!

Sitting at the end of the row… • …when the middle seats are empty is inconsiderate • Yes, the aisle seat is money • But now everyone has to fall over your feet to get a seat … not cool!

Putting your books away while the lecturer is still talking Okay, so you’re rushing to be first in the queue for lunch … but put yourself in the lecturer’s shoes • … is very disturbing • … and other students then can’t hear what the lecturer is saying

Got a cold? Sinusitis? • Sniffing or snorting is such bad form … and very annoying and disturbing to those close by • Get a tissue and blow your nose …

In class, it is recommended that you open your commentary by saying: • “I acknowledge the view shared but I would like to comment…” • “I acknowledge the opinion highlighted but I would like to add…” • “I appreciate the input given but I would like to disagree…”

§ After varsity, there are jobs, home loans and taxes § Never again will you have such a phenomenal group of individuals whose sole purpose for 40 minutes…. is simply to educate and inform. Enjoy!

E-mail Etiquette (Netiquette) Outcomes To promote an understanding of appropriate use of e-mail language when writing to staff

How not to write … taken from actual student e-mails to staff • Stud. no: 217090476 - Changing a programme of study, does it affect my residence status? • Thanks, i did receive the email. well the should be no confusions because i am not changing my programme, i am still going to do my BCom accounting at the South Campus (Xanadu Residence). so i would be very grateful if i would get a speedy positive reconsideration. …. no greeting, no ending, no name plus poor grammar, spelling and punctuation

Inappropriate greeting. . § Hey there im unsure of what 2 expect. . can you please help me? § hey? I have applied building as my first choice. -but i have been accepted in my second choice which is electrical engineering which i am not interested in. -is it possible for me to get into building in january? RSVP

§ Hello, hope u're doing gud. Im confused and Usabt wht 2 expct nxt yr! Coz i realy stressed ng im doin da ryt course. anknow iwhether dont SM as u can. Please e reply -mas soon ail S la is ng ina ua pp ge rop in ria te

DEAR PROF VAN DER MERWE I HANDED IN MY ASSIGNMENT YESTERDAY. I PUT IT UNDER YOUR DOOR. PLEASE CHECK AND LET ME KNOW. JOHN COETZEE Capitals = Shouting!

What’s out … • “My bad …” (when you’ve made a mistake) • Hey, my assignment is late … • Not greeting – at the beginning or end • Not providing a name (who are you? ) • “Hi Di” (over familiarity) REMEMBER: The lecturer is not your pal

How 2 write e-mails to staff Dear Prof Williams **** Kind regards OR Yours sincerely Thandaza Mazwai § Use formal language § Avoid using capitals throughout § If he/she has not given you permission to call him/her by their first name, then use the suitable title (Prof, Dr, Ms or Mr) § Use correct spelling (use spell check!) § Use correct punctuation – capitals for ‘I’; start of sentence; space after sentence; full-stops.

Lecturer consultations Outcomes To promote § Awareness of the availability of lecturer consultation time § Appropriate approach to consulting your lecturer

Remember: • • Take note of consultation hours Make an appointment Know what you want to ask Be polite Make use of this wonderful opportunity

References BERGER, C. A first Course in Lecture Ettiquette, 2005. <http: //cberger@princeton. edu>.