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Managing Your Success

FalconMail

Your School-Issued FalconMail Email Account

Learn more about FalconMail on the Technology Resources InfoGuide 

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There are even instructions of how to access/load your FalconMail Email (Microsoft Outlook) to your phone (iOS or Android) on that page. 

 

 

Navigation free iconEach course at the College has something called a course shell and it is housed in Falcon Online. That is where your course content is housed and where you will submit assignments, quizzes, discussions, etc. Another tool found there is called Classlist. You can find it in the navigation bar at the top of the page. Classlist is simply your FalconMail embedded in your course to allow easy access to contact your instructor. Learn more about Classlist on the Falcon Online InfoGuide.

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Read more below about the three key factors to effective communication with your instructors:

  1. knowing how to contact them;
  2. contacting them in a timely manner, and
  3. providing enough information in your communication that they can easily and thoroughly respond to you. 

Instructor Contact & Communication

How To Contact Your Instructors

  • Instructor provide their contact information (email, phone and office hours) on their syllabus, which is posted for each class in Falcon Online.
  • Many also put their contact information in a widget on their Falcon Online home page. 
  • If you still need help finding the instructor information, you can search for them on the EMPLOYEE DIRECTORY.  This is found on the College's home page www.daytonastate.edu under QUICK LINKS. 
  • You can always visit your instructor in person or call when they have scheduled office hours. These are listed on the syllabus and posted on their office door. You can either meet with the instructor in the office or call during those scheduled hours to receive 'live' assistance. Many instructors also offer to set up independent appointments outside of those hours (within reason). See the video below to learn more about office hours. 

What does 'timely manner' mean?

  • Don't wait until it's too late. Be proactive. When you have a question, ask the question. Especially if you are leaving a phone message or email, you are unaware of when the instructor will hear/read it and how long it will take to get a response. Do not procrastinate. There is no shame in not knowing an answer or having questions about your course content, an assignment or anything else your instructor can help you with. 
  • If you are experiencing a personal situation (health, family, personal struggle, computer access issues), contact your instructor(s) immediately. They want to help you but cannot do so unless they are aware of your situation. Oftentimes, accommodations can be provided or due dates can be extended when there are extraordinary circumstances beyond your control. Let them know AS it is occurring, not AFTER the fact. That may be too late to recover your grades or to provide you with any legitimate assistance.

 

Detailed & Professional Emails

How much is 'enough' information?

  • You should always err on TOO MUCH information. 
  • If you have a question about an assignment or how to navigate your course, be specific - WHICH assignment (by name) - WHAT can't you find/use/isn't working properly. 
  • If you get an error message, take a screen shot and share it. That really helps when instructors are trying to trouble shoot. This is also helpful if you need to contact the IT Helpdesk for assistance. 
  • Make sure to include your request. Oftentimes students will share a story of a situation, but never actually include a request such as, 'Could you extend the deadline until tomorrow to allow me to submit?'  By not including a specific request, you delay your final answer. You now need to go back and forth with emails to determine what you actually want/need. This could last well past another due date, so make sure to include your detailed questions within your request. 

Make sure to watch the video below to help you understand the level of detail and the tone/quality of emails.