The essay was 100% accurate when it came to the fact that no one has ever really been taught how to write an email. I know that whenever I’m emailing professors, I’m always nervous about whether I’m being too casual or too formal just because no one has ever told us “this is right” or “this is wrong.” However, I don’t think that students and professors have completely different viewpoints regarding email; I just think students were never told how to approach email, and they struggle to understand the formality necessary, especially since this changes with everyone they talk to.
I think the reason why universities and schools mostly use email as a way of communicating is because it is safe to assume everyone has access to email. Some schools have tried to communicate through texts (remind101), but this only worked for reminders or one way conversations because students could not respond to these messages; they would have to email their teachers if they had any concerns. Email is the best form of communication we have right now when it comes to contacting our professors, even if it is one of the older medias we have. It’s simple, free, and everyone pretty much has it. It doesn’t cost anything to send an email as opposed to texts, and it is something that people are already accustomed to and have access to (the school provides it in most university settings) as opposed to apps or social media that some people don’t have or want to create.
I am the same way, I’m always nervous when it comes to email because I don’t want to mess up. I don’t want the professor to hate me. My school used remind 101 and if I ever had questions I would have to email because it was only one way communication. To send an email is so convenient and efficient (if you have internet service), it’s free and every one most likely has access to it.
Elaina, this is a great explanation for why email has thrived in the niche of colleges and universities. Another that occurs to me is that UGA *gives* you an email account, rather than counting on you to receive snailmail, to keep your phone number updated, to use a particular communication app, etc.
And I had never heard of remind101, so you guys are expanding my horizons!