Communication Guidelines

As with all forms of communication, there are certain 'inherent rules' to follow. The rules for communicating online are very similar to communicating in person. However, online communication has some difficulties in that you cannot see the persons body language or facial expressions, and thus you may not know how to interpret what is written online. By using the following simple "netiquette" practices, the number of misunderstandings and misinterpretations can be reduced:

1. Keep your messages brief. Avoid rambling, and keep the message to the point, otherwise people tend to skip sections or even the whole message. 
2. Whenever responding to a message, always quote the parts you are referring to. This will allow everyone to be clear as to which part you are responding to. To quote someone you can cut and paste the particular part part you are replying to. If replying to many different sections, try to cut and paste the sections next to the reply for that part, not all the questions at the top and then all the replies below. 
3. Do not post rude, confrontational, or explicit comments. This is not acceptable in my class, and will not be tolerated either in the lab or in the WebCT online section. Most people who say or post rude comments often regret it later!!! You have been warned.
4. As with any written assignment, do not plagiarize someone else's work. Refer to the syllabus for more information. Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated in any form. Again, you have been warned!
5. Responses such as "I agree", or "I disagree" are not acceptable. Any postings online has to be informative and substantive. Remember, everyone is responsible for reading everyone else's postings and replies. The more "useless" replies there are, the more time we take to do the work. This will not be tolerated by repeat offenders!!!
6. Respond to messages in a timely fashion. The acceptable response time is within 48 hours. Try to make it habit to check the WebCT course each day and look for new postings on the discussion board, new e-mails and announcements, and check the home page as well for new information.
7. Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. There is nothing worse than reading postings and e-mails with bad spelling and grammar, it shows a lack of interest and care, and puts people in a "bad mood". You are attending college, and so this should not be difficult.
8. Do not use abbreviations. This is a run-on from the previous, abbreviations may make typing easier, but again it shows a lack of interest and care, and is equally annoying.
9. Use emoticons where necessary. This can personalize your response, and inform the readers of your "body language" or "mood".
10. Do not type in all capitals, as this is the online equivalent to shouting. This will not be acceptable in the class or lab, and is not acceptable online either.
11. Remember, whatever you post on the discussion board is visible to all, so don't post comments that you don't want certain people to see!
12. Lastly, just as you think about what you say before you speak it, think about what you post before you post it!