Netiquette at CSS

NETIQUETTE AT CSS

This presentation is intended to create a common level of knowledge about the basic rules for participating in online courses, also commonly referred to as network etiquette or “Netiquette”.

What is netiquette? • Netiquette is simply network etiquette, or in other words, etiquette used in online environments. Etiquette is often described as the manners or the behavior required in social or professional life. Netiquette is a set or rules for appropriate engagement in online environments. • Cyberspace has its own culture and if you aren’t familiar with the proper etiquette you are likely to commit a few social blunders. You may offend people without meaning to. Or you might misunderstand what others say and take offense when it wasn’t intended. There is something about not seeing a person face-to-face that makes it easy for us to forget we are interacting with real people. • Partly because we forget we are dealing with real people, and partly because we don’t know the proper etiquette for online interactions, we make mistakes, especially if we are new to the online environment • It is our intention that this brief introduction to the basic rules of netiquette will help new people those new to online environments make fewer blunders avoid making mistakes in etiquette in their online communications. While not exhaustive, the core rules we will cover in this presentation should provide you with a set of general guidelines for online interactions and behavior. They may not answer all your netiquette questions, but should give you some basic principles to use when interacting online.

The first rule is to remember the human. • When communicating online, whether in email, instant message, chat, discussion post, text, or some other method, practice the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. • Remember, there is a real person on the receiving end of your communications, who deserves to be treated with respect. Before you click send or submit, ask yourself if you would be okay if someone else had written what you wrote.

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You should follow the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life. • Some may argue that standards of behavior are different in the online world, which may be true, but they certainly should not be lower. • You should do your best to act legally and ethically responsible and follow the ethical manners of society when online. If you would not behave rudely to someone face-to-face then you shouldn’t do so online.

Rule #3 This one is pretty basic but is often forgotten– know where you are in cyberspace. • What is acceptable in a text to a friend, for example using the letters UR for the words you are, or jargon, may not be appropriate in an email to a classmate, instructor or colleague. • We’ll cover more on this later when we talk about proper grammar for online courses.

Rule #4 Respect other people’s time • Electronic communication takes time – time to read, time to respond. • Most people are very busy, just like you, and don’t have time to read or respond to frivolous emails or discussion posts. • When communicating in a virtual world it is your responsibility to make sure that time spent reading what you write isn’t wasted. Make your communication meaningful, relevant, to the point, on topic, and without unnecessary graphics or attachments that may be difficult or time consuming to download. • If someone mentions something that interests you but your response doesn’t relate to the discussion topic, reply individually via email instead of posting your response online. This helps keep the class discussion on topic and doesn’t waste other’s time reading an irrelevant post.

Rule #5 Make yourself look good online. • When you are online no one sees you, no one will judge you based on your physical appearance, your voice or the clothes you wear. • You will, however, be judged by the quality of your writing. • The following tips will help you make a good impression: • Use proper grammar (no jargon or abbreviations). For example, don’t use text messaging acronyms like BTW (by the way), AFAIK (as far as I know), or IMHO (in my humble opinion), and so on. Also, when using acronyms when appropriate, present them in the proper way. To do this is to spell out the term first, then follow that with

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the acronym in parenthesis – for example – College of St. Scholastica (CSS). After the first time you use the term you can simply use the acronym. • Check your spelling – every computer has spell check • Know what you are talking about and state it clearly • Be pleasant and polite in your writing and communication

Rule #6 Share expert knowledge • One of the reasons the internet was founded was to easily share information. • In the spirit of the internet, share what you know! • If you are an expert at something, share this expertise with your classmates • When you post a question and receive an intelligent answer, share this if it wasn’t made public to the class (although be careful of sharing personal information without permission). • Post resources and references about your area of expertise. • Much of the learning that occurs in an online class is by information or expertise shared by students.

Rule #7 This may be one of the most important rules - keep flame wars under control. • What are flame wars, or flaming? • According to Shea, the definition of flaming or flame wars is when people express strongly held opinions without holding back any emotion. • Discussions can get heated and there can be differences of opinion. Refrain from taking challenges or disagreements to your position personally. A difference of opinion is not disrespect for you or for your right to an opinion – it is simply a difference of opinion, even when strongly expressed. There are steps you can take to help keep flaming under control: • Keep anger under control • Maintain respect • Never resort to insults or personal attacks, especially in public or group discussion areas • Avoid broad judgments or generalizations as these can often times be inaccurate or potentially offensive to someone in your class. • Do your part to keep flames under control • Don’t feed them. • Help extinguish them by guiding the discussion back to a more productive direction • Typing in all caps when posting online is considered yelling and is bad manners – don’t do it.

Rule # 8 Respect other people’s privacy

• There is always a risk in an online environment, be it email, chat, discussion post or text, that you may be exposed to some private personal information that should be handled with care. • For example, what if someone shared private medical news about a loved one and that information got into the wrong hands? What do you think could happen? Embarrassment? Hurt feelings? • Just as you want your privacy respected, respect the privacy of others. • It is far better to err on the side of caution when deciding what to discuss or post online.

Rule #9 Don’t abuse your power • Just like in real life, there are people in the online world who wield more power than others. They may have more expertise, experience or skill than others. • Maybe you are one of those who posses this knowledge power. • Keep in mind knowing more than others does not give you the right to take advantage of, belittle or bully anyone. Remember rule #1 – remember the human – and be respectful.

Rule #10 Be forgiving of other people’s mistakes • Not everyone has the same level of experience in the online world. Also, not everyone is familiar with the rules of netiquette. • At some point you are likely to see what you consider a stupid question, an unnecessarily long post, or encounter bad grammar or bad spelling. • When this happens, practice kindness and forgiveness. • If the “offense” is minor, you may want to let it slide. If you feel you must respond, do so privately rather than in a public forum. Better yet, leave it to your instructor to address. • Remember the Golden Rule. It is as important online as it is in person – treat others as you would like to be treated.

• Learning is a social and cultural process. Online learning creates a virtual community of learners. Many students even experience a greater sense of community online. Shy participants are more likely to speak up, students can talk more freely amongst themselves, and all can express themselves fully without the constraints of time and place. • To get the most from your online courses, follow the rules of netiquette as well as these simple rules: • Show up – Log into the course frequently, check your email frequently, respond to email and discussion posts quickly, and plan for regular times where you can be online.

• Write carefully – as mentioned previously, put time and thought into your discussion posts, use proper grammar, cite your sources where appropriate, check your spelling, do not use all caps which is considered yelling, and be brief and to the point. • Use appropriate tone – while the verbal style in discussion posts generally will be less formal than what is used in papers you should still refrain from text jargon and acronyms. State and support your positions, don’t “flame”, and be sure to let others know you have read and appreciate their posts. • Lastly, behave as you would in a classroom. • Be yourself, participate in give and take – sharing what you know and acknowledging and appreciating the expertise of others • Be respectful – this means accepting views of others even if they differ from yours. • Speak up – don’t be afraid to express your opinions, but do so respectfully • Think critically – look at issues from other perspectives, make decisions based on fact and logic, constantly evaluate your position and be willing to change your mind when necessary

Following these simple rules as you interact in your online courses will ensure you won’t make any social blunders, will use your own and other’s time wisely, and will lead to more productive and civil discussions in your courses.

References • Adapted from the Core Rules of Netiquette. Shea, V. (1994). Core rules of netiquette. Netiquette (online ed., pp. 32-45). San Francisco: Albion Books.