Lori Van Order

SLM521

Article Critique #2

Golden, Cynthia. (2003, May/June). Email: Our Love-Hate Relationship [Electronic Version]. Educause Review. Retrieved June 16, 2003, from http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0334.pdf

Summary:

This article relays the importance of email in our lives today. Golden explains that even at conferences, email access has started to become necessary to have available for attendees. These days, email is becoming so necessary that conferences are starting to provide wireless access on a trial basis. Golden describes email as something we need to keep in touch (constantly), but also something we hate because of its constant time-consuming responsibilities of replying instantly, reading an abundance of messages in the inbox, etc. She goes on to give some tips and strategies in managing the overwhelming responsibilities in email. She ends the article by explaining the benefits of email, in doing research, maintaining ties with others, receiving instant updates or reminders, keeping in touch with family and friends, etc. So in summary, email is something we need, we hate, and we love.

Reflection:

This article rang true to me in all aspects. I do feel that email can be very overwhelming at times, especially when I come to school in the morning to find 15 messages in my inbox. At the same time, it is a way to keep in constant communication with colleagues throughout the day, and to get reminders when necessary. Also, I love being able to keep in touch with family and friends. I’ve noticed that in the summer, when I don’t have as much access to email because I’m out of school, I am not as in touch with my friends and family. Also, having a brother in France, a brother in Virginia, and a sister in Chicago, it sure saves money to keep in touch through email than through phone calls. J Overall, I think this article was well-written in describing the pros and cons of emailing, and was also very helpful in providing strategies and tips in using email to our own advantage.