Getting letters of reference from distance instructors?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Pelican, May 6, 2011.

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  1. Pelican

    Pelican Member

    I need to take several courses via distance, and in the not-to-far-away future, I'll need some letters of reference for a Master's program. As I finished my BA about 4 years ago, I don't think I can call on old professors to give a reference (in fact, I've already used them as references before, and its probably rude to call upon them again).

    So, assuming I take a course from a teacher, its On-line, they'll never meet me in person, they'll never talk to me on the phone or on Web cam, and the course is only for 2 months, is it unreasonable to expect to get a reference from them?
     
  2. Balios

    Balios New Member

    Good question. I'm interested in hearing the responses, especially from those who teach online.
     
  3. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    I have used my instructors in my distance learning program as well as my advisor for my references for my Master's program. I choose the instructors whom I interacted more with through email and in discussion and they had no problem providing a reference for me. By the way all my classes were 8 weeks!

    What I would do is get through about 6 weeks of the course and then send an email asking if they would be willing to provide a reference based on your work in their course. Most of them would be willing to help.
     
  4. jfitzg

    jfitzg Member

    Its not unreasonable at all. In fact, Im getting references from my distance learning instructors from MS classes I have taken online for my doctoral program. I contacted three my instructors from last semester and all three were happy to fill out reference forms for me. It never hurts to ask so go for it :)
     
  5. Woho

    Woho New Member

    Very interesting subject. It seems difficult to give via distance some form of personal character assessment which goes beyond just the transcript.
    I once convinced my dl thesis adviser to write me a recommendation letter but the application I needed it for ended up as being rejected. Even so it was a highly competitive program it still feels unease to have someone vouch for one without a deeper personal relationship.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2011
  6. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    If they agreed in the past, they're the first ones you should ask in the future! Simply remind them that you got an A in their course, and mention one or two things you learned in it that stuck with you. Most will be receptive. I think so because I teach online as an adjunct, and if one of my old students who had done well asked for a reference a few years out, I'd be very sympathetic.

    -=Steve=-
     
  7. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Ask before you enroll. THE single top factor for me choosing a specific online science course over another was if the professor would write me a letter (depending of course on my deserving one lol). At the time, I was considering med schools, and you really need science letters if you don't have a premed committee behind you. Before registering, I sent requests. I essentially just asked! I said that I was considering their course for the next term, and if I did a solid job, would they consider writing me a letter for my med school ap. I sent out 5 emails, 4 replied. All 4 said yes. The other one, well, who knows!? Anyway, they all kinda said the same thing...."our interaction might be limited, therefor we might be limited in what we can say, blah blah blah, but I'd be happy to write for you" which is all I wanted. I figured that if the application called for 1 letter, I'd include 2 as a CYA. Anyway, in the end, I changed paths and didn't need the letters. I still think I would have been able to get what I needed, but again, just ask in advance. (plus, they'll keep a keen eye on your work and perhaps be able to write a more meaningful assessment and won't be too slow about it since they've had all semester to anticipate your request)

    If it matters, the 2 schools where I had "yes" professors were Ocean Community College (microbiology, chemistry) and University of New England College of Medicine (biochemistry, biology).
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2011
  8. cdhale

    cdhale Member

    When I finished my MAT at Univ. of West Alabama, I got references from two of my online professors when I was sending out applications. They didn't have a problem with it at all.

    As an online instructor, I have been asked a couple of times to provide letters of reference for jobs, scholarships, etc.

    So I think it is perfectly reasonable.
     
  9. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I have written references for online students and they are general. I spoke to the quality of the students work, their professionalism in the class, attention to detail, and ability to work within the requried timeframe. I was not commenting on them personally - just the work and interaction they had during the class.
     
  10. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Same here....I've written several letters of recommendation for former online students who applied to graduate programs. As Randell said, I limit my comments to their academic performance, not their personal character strengths or flaws.
     
  11. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    I receive request for letters of recommendation at least on a weekly basis. My typical practice is to immediately agree, and then have the student write their own letter of reference and forward to me for review. About half actually follow through. It as not as if I do not want to write the letter, but with the number of students I see I need the requesting student to basicially lay out the case for me since they are their own best witnesses to their accomplishment. I started this practice when a former professor had me do the same and it was a very reflective exercise.
     
  12. Aberdonian

    Aberdonian New Member

    I have taught about 50 or so courses online, and have only ever had one student ask me to write a reference letter. I was happy to do so. I actually probably had more indicators of the student's performance in an online course that I may have in an on ground course (i.e. I could quickly tell if the student had actively participated in DB's, turned papers in on time, had engaged with me in email throughout the term, etc.). Obviously there are also a lot of intelligible that I could not judge. As most online professors try to excel in time management I would advise being very specific in the type of letter you want, perhaps noting some of your strengths inside the class and out.
    Hope that helps!
     
  13. jayncali73

    jayncali73 New Member

    Two of my professors from my online master's program at South University wrote recommendations for my application to Valdosta State Univ, Pepperdine, Univ of La Verne, and many more. However, I had taken courses from them multiple times and one "supervised" my capstone project so I had built a rapport with them.
     
  14. Hadashi no Gen

    Hadashi no Gen New Member

    One of my professors for my undergrad online degree completion program wrote me a great recommendation. I used it to get into graduate school and get a job. So... as far as I'm concerned, it's possible.
     
  15. Pelican

    Pelican Member

    I've just started some On-line courses, but not having much luck building rapport with my teachers. Do you feel that is important, or I can just show my strengths in my A's to the multiple-choice quizzes and in my essays?

    The discussion boards are empty, with no apparent way for me to add a topic. Furthermore, no students appear in the On-line chat, so not much opportunity to demonstrate my interest or curiosity in the topic.

    Added to this, the On-line format hides my teachers' expression. How do I know when I've asked too many questions? How do I know when the teachers are bored or annoyed?
     

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