Communication

I am accessible most of the time. Please visit here for details.

Teams

I use Teams as the primary communications platform for all of our course communications. When you enroll in one of my courses you will join the Teams workspace team before our class Microsoft Teams logo meets for the first time. Teams is part of the Microsoft Office 365 Suite. If you are unfamiliar with Teams, it is an online platform that allows for text-based discussion, video conferencing and/or audio calls. Teams is associated with your SHU-issued account and authenticates via your SHU network credentials.

It is important that you update your O365 profile before we begin. Please visit here for help updating your profile with current information, including your profile picture. Download the apps for desktop and mobile for a much better experience. When you have installed the apps please leave them active on your desktops (as you do with Outlook) so that you will receive course notifications. If you have never used Teams before, visit the Microsoft Teams for Education – Quick Start Guide and video training for Teams.

Etiquette

Respect is essential in our various forms of communication. If you are participating in my course then I expect that you will do so with enthusiasm but always with proper decorum. Slang, Etiquette cursing, texting – style acronyms are inappropriate in any interactions in our course. Proper grammar and spelling must be used at all times. Please also use appropriate grammar in all communications and always specify the course and subject matter in the subject line, e.g., “BLAW2301 / Discussion Board #2” or “Smith vs. Jones”, not “yo!” or “hey prof”. For further information on Seton Hall University’s code of conduct, please refer to the Student Handbook.

Electronic Devices

ALL electronic devices must be must be silenced during class meetings, either F2F or virtual.

Parent & Guardian Inquiries/Communication

If I receive any inquiries from parents/guardians regarding your performance in this course, I will first discuss the matter with you, the student. I will not engage in any discussion with parents/guardians until I have done so and received your permission, in writing, to respond to the inquiry.

How Can I Contact You?

I can be reached via any of several modalities … email, voice or your choice of video conference platforms, Zoom, Skype, Teams or Slack. As a general rule, I am available if I am online. If you are already enrolled in one of my courses then DM me in Teams or Slack (for DT&L) and I will respond. I will try to reply to email and voice messages as soon as possible but certainly no more than 24 hours after receipt. If you prefer a video conference (and who doesn’t?) please ping me with some convenient days/times and we’ll set it up.

So, you ask, what are the variety of contact points where you can reach me? You can reach me by email (john DOT shannon AT shu DOT edu), Skype (shannojh) or Twitter. Please DM me in Teams if you are already enrolled in one of my courses.

When communicating with me please include the following information: your name, the question or issue to be resolved, your course/section and any other necessary information.

In the event that encrypted communications are necessary I can be reached via email at jhs AT jhshannon DOT net, PGP: 3989ae5a3c24aa2e01829377485f035f386c5bfd.

When Are Your Office Hours?

Spring 2023 Office Hours: Mon & Wed, 10a – 1130a (click here to join via Teams); also by appt, all office hours and other meetings will be held via Teams since it is impossible to observe social distancing rules in a small space. You will enter the lobby when you join my office hours. I’ll admit you when I am clear to meet with you.

Office: JH651

Communications: Teams DM (preferred) or email at john DOT shannon AT shu DOT edu

We can schedule an alternative meeting time if you are not available during my office hours. As you know, our course communications platform is Teams. Please DM me in Teams with some days/times when you are available and we can schedule a video conference in Teams.

My office hours are subject to change pretty much every semester so please check your course syllabus for my current office hours (see above). I generally schedule at least one hour a week using Teams video to accommodate those who have a conflict with my scheduled office hours. If you are unavailable to meet in my office, you can schedule an appointment for a F2F meeting or we can set up a video conference via Teams. I prefer video conferences because they give me more options when answering your questions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to move to a fundamentally different set of delivery modalities, e.g., HyFlex, hybrid, remote, synchronous, or not, or some combination of approaches to teaching and learning. We are increasingly working remotely in order to accomplish our work. That remote modality demands that we adjust our understanding of acceptable protocols for attendance and participation, whether a meeting or course attendance, engagement and participation.

That said, I do try to carve out some space for thoughtful consideration of life. The practical impact of that desire is to keep evenings and weekends clear for family, friends and other forms of social interaction. If you going to ping me late on a Friday then I will get back to you on Monday unless it is an emergency … a REAL emergency.