Emailing students
Academic Coach says:
I generally recommend that professors NOT respond to student emails as soon as the messages arrive, even if it will take less than two minutes to respond, because it leads undergraduates to expect immediate feedback. If you routinely reply to student queries within minutes, later in the semester, when you don’t answer the 11pm cry for help the night before the exam, your students will become disgruntled at your “lack of responsiveness.” Don’t train them to expect service 24/7.
Good idea! I find myself responding immediately and I think this is a habit I am going to break. Especially since it is spring break.
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On the other hand, immediate feedback is one of the principles of good teaching. It seems pretty teacher-centered to intentionally not do something that’s effective teaching just because students will continue to expect effective teaching.
Good point