I am in the section of my classroom research course where the assignment for students is to give me a phone call to discuss their ideas for a classroom project. I find this is an extremely valuable assignment. The previous 6-7 weeks, all instruction has been online and students have seen and heard me through course podcasts and webinars, but haven’t had the opportunity to talk with me directly. This assignment requires them to call. I ask that students call at their convenience, since most of them have demanding schedules with students and other teaching obligations. I tell them if I don’t take the call immediately, I can usually get back to them within an hour. I find that most students fall into two groups…those who are eager to call and chat and those who are afraid of talking to the instructor. Both groups are pleasantly surprised at the outcome of the conversation, and in their required summary of our discussion, report how valuable the phone call was. One student wrote, “After several days of playing phone tag I was able to finally speak with John regarding my action research. Our conversation came at an important time for my research.” Another said, “My phone call was productive, helpful and positive.” The personal attention afforded in a phone call is starkly different than the delivery of content in a podcast or webinar, as this student reported, “My phone call was productive, helpful and positive.” Phone calls also help me assure that students are on track and not falling through the virtual cracks. Give it a try and see if it won’t work for you as well.
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