Netiquette Tips for the Online Course

 

Netiquette is all about how to remain polite when you go online. The Internet has its own culture, with its own unique rules. It can be easy to make a mistake, without even meaning to. Sticking to some basic, common sense guidelines can avoid accidentally offending anyone.

Watch the video below, and read the rest of this page. Then, download the Netiquette Scavenger Hunt worksheet and enjoy the hunt!

What is Netiquette All About?

What do I do?

Behave online as you would offline.

Remember that the people you are speaking to online are real people, with regular feelings and sensitivities. Anything that wouldn't be appropriate offline isn't appropriate online.

Be forgiving.

Everyone was a newbie once, even if it was back before that term was coined. If you see someone make a mistake, don't get upset. Can you ignore it? If so, you probably should. If not, point it out gently and give people the benefit of the doubt.

Help out.

Not everyone is tech-savvy, even if they've been using technology for a while. Many people have questions when they're online - feel free to answer them! Not only will the person you're helping out appreciate it but your answer will be cached by search engines so future questions can be answered with ease.

Remember there is a human in there.

You may be responding to a written paragraph of text, but it was composed by a person. Respond to them as if they are standing in front of you - no matter how old the post or email is that you're responding to.

Rules to Remember

Safety in the Online Environment

Students will be instructed

  1. that email is not confidential.
  2. not to open email from people they do not know.
  3. to not give out personal information.
  4. that they are only to visit approved Internet sites. If they find a site that is inappropriate, they are to hit the “back” button and inform their teacher.

Respect in the Online Environment

Students will be instructed to

  1. not write in all capital letters as it may imply yelling.
  2. always read and edit their work prior to sending or posting.
  3. watch the tone of their writing.
  4. use a positive, encouraging and cooperative tone.
  5. let a teacher know if they feel they received an angry or bullying communication from a peer.

Responsibility in an Online Environment

Students will be instructed to

  1. not forward junk mail or pyramid letters.
  2. know and abide by deadlines.
  3. obey copyrights; they will not take credit for an idea or work that belongs to someone else.
  4. not respond to any kind of inappropriate posting.

communication guidelines

Communication Form

Grammar

Emoticons

Acronyms

Email

Proper grammar and mechanics are to be followed for formal emails (such as those sent to staff). Proper grammar and mechanics will not be required for informal emails such as those between students.

Emoticons may be used if they do not detract from the understandability of the writing. Students will be provided with a pre-approved list of emoticons.

A list of pre-approved acronyms will be provided for  student use. In the event a student introduces a new acronym, they must explain what it means when first using it. Students will be encouraged to limit their use of acronyms.

Discussion Forums

Proper grammar and mechanics are to be used in discussion forums to encourage students to communicate clearly.

A pre-approved list of emoticons may be used on a limited basis as determined by teacher.

A list of pre-approved acronyms will be provided for student use. In the event a student introduces a new acronym, they must explain what it means when first using it. Students will be encouraged to limit their use of acronyms.

Chats

 

Proper grammar and mechanics will not be required due to the informal nature of a chat setting.

Emoticons may be used if they do not detract from the understandability of the writing.

 

A list of pre-approved acronyms will be provided for the student use. In the event a student introduces a new acronym, they must explain what it means when first using it. Students will be encouraged to limit their use of acronyms.

 

Don't forget to download the Netiquette Scavenger Hunt worksheet and enjoy the hunt!