How to Talk with Your Students

Clear communication is critical in times of emergency and change. Your learning community wants to understand how the crisis affects them first, and how it will affect their relationship with you second. 

Disable Automatic Email Notifications.

Automated marketing systems are incredibly helpful for marketing programs, however, when you’re in information-only mode, it’s essential that you turn off marketing emails. They will only distract from important information. (And their messages may not be relevant at a time like this.) Shut down any automated marketing channels. 

Be considerate of their time and empathetic.

Provide relevant information to your audience as soon as possible. In the heart of an emergency, it's ok to say that you don't have all your answers in line but that you're working as quickly as you can. Be empathetic to those getting your message and consider what they’re going through as you craft your message. 

Also, be mindful of sending too much information or small bits of information too frequently. Most people are very understanding that you won’t have all the answers at first and will need to send updates as time goes on. But daily updates can become overwhelming and will likely result in changes to prior updates, simply because situations are changing so fast. This can cause unnecessary chaos in a situation that's' already chaotic.

How can you be most helpful to them?

Figuring out how you can be most helpful for your learning community is also important. Be a good listener and carefully heed what you’re hearing from students about their concerns. It could be reassurance that your program is thinking about their well-being or it could be that you’re assisting them in connecting with other people or resources. 

Communication with your students will help keep them connected to your program and can provide you with creative feedback. While you have the opportunity to do so, you can ask them what they’re interested in going forward, and if they have thoughts or suggestions. You may find that you have a tech genius waiting to help run a class or some savvy students who already have an online community at the ready.