Why I need everything in an email.
Something happened this week in one of my classes that I wanted to share and get your feedback on. Last week a student asked if I could bring a cord so they could connect their calculator to a computer and update their OS. Student: Did you bring the cord you talked about last week? Me: No. Did you email me about it like I asked you to? Student: No.... But I asked you last week. Me: If it wasn't in an email, I didn't remember. Student: [Blank stare.] In general, whenever I talk to a student verbally and they are asking for something, or I need to follow up on something, I ask them to send me an email reminder. With 1-3 such requests each class, for my four college-level classes that adds up to about 4-12 tasks I need to accomplish. To make sure these things are accomplished I use my email as a to-do list, with student emails as the 'things' on my list. What about you? How do you make sure all the small requests and follow-ups are completed in each of