Respond Now! E-mail, Acceleration, and a Pedagogy of Patience

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

“…Nevertheless, Weinstock (2004) found that students often view email as "a form of telepathy-the instantaneous communication of an uncensored thought, often with the expectation of an immediate response" (p. 380). He suggested that instructors can help teach students patience by not expecting instant responses.…”

The influence of workload and civility of treatment on the perpetration of email incivility

“…First and foremost is the prevalence of email as a form of communication in office environments (for a review of email prevalence and overload, see Ramsay & Renaud, 2012). Moreover, as norms for email communication are still evolving (Weinstock, 2004), the potential for norm violation, and thus incivility, in its use is high (Buhler, 2003). Indeed, email tends to be less polite, includes poorer spelling and grammar, and more likely neglects social boundaries than traditional memos (Weinstock, 2004).…”

“…Moreover, as norms for email communication are still evolving (Weinstock, 2004), the potential for norm violation, and thus incivility, in its use is high (Buhler, 2003). Indeed, email tends to be less polite, includes poorer spelling and grammar, and more likely neglects social boundaries than traditional memos (Weinstock, 2004). Individuals may act uncivilly in email communication because any perceived incivility can be easily blamed on the inherently terse nature of electronic communication (Weinstock, 2004).…”

“…Indeed, email tends to be less polite, includes poorer spelling and grammar, and more likely neglects social boundaries than traditional memos (Weinstock, 2004). Individuals may act uncivilly in email communication because any perceived incivility can be easily blamed on the inherently terse nature of electronic communication (Weinstock, 2004). Indeed, individuals communicating via computer-mediated communication in laboratory experiments engaged in less discussion and behaved in a more unreserved manner during decision-making tasks than individuals discussing and communicating decisions face-to-face (McGuire, Kiesler, & Siegel, 1987; see also Sproull & Kiesler, 1986).…”

“…A number of organizations have implemented digital writing guidelines, called ''netiquette'' codes (Weinstock, 2004) as a means of improving the manner in which emails are crafted. A scan of the literature reveals such netiquette guidelines are targeted toward diverse audiences, ranging from university students (MintuWimsatt, Kernek, & Lozada, 2010) to lawyers (Lebovits, 2009).…”