Professor Pitts

Netiquette, which is a blend (portmanteau) of “net” and “etiquette,” referring to using courtesy and politeness when communicating with others online. Many of us forget that there is someone on the other end of this cyber world and can sometimes lack politeness. Here are some Guidelines from LSC Online (Borrowed from Lake Superior College)

Behind Every Name There is a Person

Respect the privacy of your classmates and what they share in class.
Ask classmates for clarification if you find a discussion posting offensive or difficult to understand.
Avoid sweeping generalizations. Back up your stated opinions with facts and reliable sources.
Understand that we may disagree and that exposure to other people’s opinions is part of the learning experience.
Be respectful of each other. We’re all in this together. Before posting a comment, ask whether you would be willing to make the same comment to a person’s face.
Keep in mind that everything you write, indeed every click of your mouse is recorded on the network server. On the Internet there are no take backs.
Keep in mind that you are taking a college class. Something that would be inappropriate in a traditional classroom is also inappropriate in an online classroom.

Online Communication

Be aware that typing in all capital letters indicates SHOUTING.
Be careful with humor and sarcasm. Both can easily be misunderstood!
Review all discussion postings before posting your own to prevent redundancy.
Check your writing for errors by reviewing what you’ve written before submitting it.
Acronyms (LOL, etc.) and emoticons (smilies) are commonly used online, but be careful not to overuse them.
Many communications with your instructor or fellow students are best handled through email. Only post on the classroom discussion board if the conversation is relevant to others in the class.

While attending to my class at your College...

Here are some things I would like to see when interacting with others.

Make sure identification is clear in all communications. Begin with a salutation (“Hey David!”) and end with your name (“Lisa”).
If you wouldn’t say it face to face, don’t say it online. When you’re working online, you’re safe behind a screen, but that’s no excuse to be ill-mannered or say things you would never say in public.
Don’t assume everyone understands where you’re coming from. Sarcasm and wit is often the spice of in-person conversation, but in online discussion, it can not only lose its edge, it can bite! In a high school classroom, all students were the same age, came from similar backgrounds and lived in the same area. In contrast, your online classroom is made up of people of all ages and cultures who have varied backgrounds, lifestyles and geographic locations. With this in mind, review what you wrote before contributing to the conversation and ask yourself, “Will everyone get the joke?”
Feel free to use emoticons (don’t overdo it!). In casual settings, emoticons can help convey feelings that may otherwise get lost in translation, including humor, exasperation, exhaustion and even confusion. Send me your favorite emoticon if you read this!
Follow the rules. Follow proper citation and use academic integrity in your discussions and assignments, according tos and direct quotes are fine just let us know that you are referring to someone else's writing.
Forgive and forget. If you’re offended by something another student says online, keep in mind that you may have misunderstood their intentions. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

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