Online Etiquette Guidelines
Online discussion is a vital part of communication, especially with today's busy schedules. Because of this the priority standard(s) associated with Reciprocal Communication calls for some flexibility regarding what constitutes discussions. It is important to establish a few principles of civility and professionalism to allow for the discussion board to be a place to express opinions, share ideas, and receive feedback from peers who are engaged in the same learning objectives.
Your First Post
As you prepare your initial post, please refer to the proficiency scale for reciprocal communication for the expectations and the depth and breadth of discussions.
Brevity is appreciated. Since reading other's comments or articles can be time consuming, try to be straight to the point, although respect that this is an academic class. Too little is just as troublesome as too much!
When to Post and When to Reply
Initial postings should be submitted as early as possible, and additional postings added to the discussion in response to peers' responses. Try to respond to anyong who replies to your initial posting. Remember: your postings should not be posted all on one day or only at the beginning or only at the last minute.
Your responses to peers should expandon the ideas of others, ask questions, and enhance and expand the class discussion.
Delete the Extra
When writing a reply post, delete all extraneous informatione xcept the specific phrase, sentence, or comment to which you are replying. This not only helps the reader know what you are replying to, but also helps them save time by not wading through a long post, or worse, the entire included thread. It also makes it quicker for classmates to download or print a particular posting.
Summarize, Quote, or Refer
Another way to help readers engage in your responses is to give a frame of reference in your post by quoting or summarizing the content to which you are responding. For example, “When Ima wrote she always formatted her posts the same way I began to think . . .” is much easier for the reader to follow and understand than “Yep, me too, that’s why I . . .” To look at it a different way, some participants choose to arrange their discussion board by unread posts only—the quote gives them their frame of reference for the topic of the thread.
Me, Too, I Agree!
The me-too post certainly is a frustration in the online environment and does not add any depth to the discussion or learning. In a study by Stodel, Thompson, and MacDonald (2006), “Learners got frustrated with the constant agreements and comments such as ‘Good point’ and ‘I agree’; feeling it made the conversation overly positive and fake.” Therefore be sure to post substantive ideas and avoid the "I agree" posts which just clutter up a discussion board.
Change the Subject Line to Reflect the Content of your Post
Think of the subject line of your posting like the title of a good book, one which will draw other readers in. Subject lines that resemble addresses (e.g., Lisa to Kay) tend to close down discussions to just the two names listed. Subject lines that just repeat the original poster’s subject line with the Re: added (Re: Re: Re: Unoriginal subject line) give no indication to the reader if the new or added content will benefit him or her as a learner, whether the conversation has evolved in topic or perhaps if it is veering off into a personal side conversation (which should then be moved to the student lounge or email). Each time you post or reply to a post, update the subject line to match the content of your posting.
Tone and Courtesy in Writing
The "tone" is a very important part of electronic communication. When you read your message out loud, does it sound the way you would speak to another student in the classroom? Humor can be difficult to convey in text, so make sure everyone realizes when you are trying to be funny. It is easy for messages to be misinterpreted since there are no physical gestures or voice inflections that accompany the text.
Think through and re-read your comments before you post them.
Be nice.
Refrain from inappropriate language and derogatory or personal attacks.
Make a personal commitment to learning about,understanding, and supporting your peers.
Assume the best of others in the class and expect the best from them.
Disagree with ideas, but avoid challenges that may be interpreted as a personal attack.
Be open to be challenged or confronted on your ideas or prejudices.
Challenge others with the intent of facilitating growth. Do not demean, harass or embarrass others.
Encourage others to develop and share their ideas.
Check Previous Postings Before You Post
Remember to read what has previously been posted by others to avoid repeating comments. Make sure you are posting under the appropriate heading or thread. Stick to the topic; if you wish to pursue an unrelated idea with a classmate, move your communication to email so that others don't spend time on non-essential topics.
Give Credit Where Credit is Due. Cite your references.
Grammar, Spelling and Fonts
The discussion should conform to the rules of standard English. Here are some guidelines for all messages that are posted:
Avoid slang (e.g., "Wassup?", "Yo," and so forth).
Don't curse.
Use standard spelling:
you (not u)
are (not r)
to or too (not 2)
you're (not ure)
right (not rite)
I (not i)
Use the spell check! Mistakes in spelling and grammar reflect poorly on you, and they're not acceptable.
Stick to standard fonts -- Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, 12 or 14 pt. -- and colors -- black or blue.
DON'T WRITE THE ENTIRE POSTING WITH YOUR CAPS LOCK ON. IT'S REALLY ANNOYING.
Adapted from University of Wisconsin - Stout: Adapted and used with permission of:
Lehmann, Kay and Lisa Chamberlin (2009).Making the Move to eLearning: Putting Your Course Online, pp. 141-145. Rowman & Littlefield
Education Publishers. (Available in hard back, soft cover, and Kindle) © Copyright 2010 Kay Lehmann and Lisa Chamberlin All Rights Reserved