Faculty and Student Expectations and Perceptions of E-mail Communication in a Campus and Distance Doctor of Pharmacy Program

Abstract

Objective. To examine faculty members' and students' expectations and perceptions of e-mail communication in a dual pathway pharmacy program. Methods. Three parallel survey instruments were administered to campus students, distance students, and faculty members, respectively. Focus groups with students and faculty were conducted. Results. Faculty members perceived themselves as more accessible and approachable by e-mail than either group of students did. Campus students expected a shorter faculty response time to e-mail and for faculty members to be more available than did distance students. Conclusion. E-mail is an effective means of computer-mediated communication between faculty members and students and can be used to promote a sense of community and inclusiveness (ie, immediacy), especially with distant students.

How Fast is Fast Enough? Education Students’ Perceptions of Email Response Time in Online Courses

“…In their study to determine faculty and student expectations of email communication, Floral et al (2010) found that faculty perceived themselves as more accessible to students than the students did. Students reported that because they were paying for their instructors' time, they expected timely responses to their emails.…”

A Survey Tool for Assessing Student Expectations Early in a Semester

“…However, faculty often have difficulty identifying and addressing student expectations given variations in students’ backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs about education. Prior research has described significant discrepancies between student and faculty expectations that result from cultural backgrounds (1), technological expertise (2), and ‘teaching dimensions’ as described by Trudeau and Barnes (4). Such studies illustrate the need for tools to identify and index student expectations, which can be used to facilitate a dialogue between instructor and students.…”

Impact of Communication Method and Timeliness on Student and Faculty Perception of Professionalism and Value

“…email communication on teacher immediacythe communicative behaviors that decrease the psychological distance between students and teachers ultimately creating a positive learning environment between students and faculty. 5 Their results indicate that students felt faculty should respond to emails within 24 hours, faculty overestimated their accessibility and approachability compared to student perception, and that email communication can foster teacher immediacy even when faculty and student are not on the same physical campus. 5 Much of the other communication literature in pharmacy education focuses on teaching students how to better communicate with patients, providers, etc.…”