Netiquette and Distance Learning

There are many perks to online learning. One is you get the quality education necessary based on your personal initiative, input and output, and dedication. Two, you get to meet a great group of dynamic people and may even become virtual-buddies with some of them. Three, you get to experience what it is like, sitting comfortably in a location of choice and studying at your pace.

But wait! What about online communication? How do I make sure what I am saying - er - I mean, typing is clearly understood by others? What if I get misunderstood? How do I overcome language barriers? How would I know if my virtual peers have learning disabilities. Oh NO! What if I saying something that may offend someone unintentionally....?!

Ahhh! R-E-L-A-X - Online Netiquette websites are everywhere; however, give yourself some credit. How often have you written others via email and sometimes had to explain what you meant, or replied back fixing an error? How understanding were these people? I am sure for the most part, if it was not hate-mail, the intent was understood and all was forgiven.

Here are some tips to help you maintain Netiquette when posting to course forums:

1. Do not use all caps. Instead, to emphasize something, italicize the word or underline it. However, be careful that your choice of word is not one that can be misconstrued as disrespectful or rude. Yes, it is tough sometimes, especially when you disagree with something someone else wrote; but there is a nice way of politely pointing out your disagreement.

2. Always start with a greeting - A Dear Tom, or, Hello Tom, would do wonders to the person reading your comment. It also shows that you are taking the time to actually 'speak' to the person, and not just post something to get them off your back. Addressing the person by name also helps students in general know who you are talking to. Some forum set ups are difficult to follow, even when threaded as they do not automatically include the previous post.

3. Copy a short phrase or sentence from the post you are replying to. This will give other readers the opportunity to know what you are writing about, instead of having to go back a few posts and catch up on what the other person wrote.

4. Do not attack what others have to say; when you disagree, respectfully do so, but emphasize your points as to why you are disagreeing, not so much pointing out what the person said that may be wrong.

5. Do not demean other's style of writing; remember not everyone is the same and some people have learning disabilities or English is not their first language.

6. Respect everyone equally. While you may click with a certain percentage, give everyone a fair chance to say what is on his or her mind.

7. Respond to those who write to you or comment on your work; even if you do not have anything left to say, thank them for reading your input and say something nice about their comment. For example, Thank you for reading my input, I certainly appreciate your added insights and will definitely consider this in the future. You never know!

8. If conflict arises, do not make it everyone else's business in the classroom forum. Contact the person privately and involve the Instructor in the contact, to ensure that you are being fair, reasonable, and rational. Use "I" statements instead of "You" statements. Your goal should always be trying to solve the problem, not adding to it.

9. Never, assume! If you are unclear about a post or a question, ask for clarity - it is best you know the intent and have a good understanding than assume; you will have students who may play games - let them play, you are there to learn, so be sure that you are maintaining the professionalism - always.

10. Remember to spell check your work. One rule I practice as much as I can, is to type my comments in a word document and check for grammar and spelling errors, the best I can, then copying and pasting from the word document into the forum.

11. Always, end your post with a pleasant comment. You may even end with a question that draws the readers to continue on the discussion with you. For example: Well, these are my thoughts - do you have anything to add to this? I'd certainly appreciate any additional input to help me process the information better!

12. Say Thank You again! Wish them a pleasant day, evening, morning, week, or whatever!

13. Have fun while you are doing all of the above; you don't have to smile your way through the posts, but find a nice way to enjoy what you are actually doing. It will go by much faster.