Netiquette Guide
A quick guide for students
Stick to the topic
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When you are in an online discussion, keep your ideas focussed on the ideas being discussed. If you want to express a new idea you might put in a new subject title or start in a new thread. Show me what it looks like! |
Subject titles
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Name your postings with a title that lets people know what the message is about. Show me what it looks like!
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Keeping it short
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You don’t have to share everything you know about a topic. Keep your message short enough so that it can be read on a single screen and without scrolling.
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Use emoticons
:-)
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Online communication can lose the subtle gestures found in face-to-face talk, such as a wink or a nod. While not appropriate for formal academic communications, emoticons can reflect your personality and help people realise what you mean when you make a humorous comment. For example: I’m joking 8-) or :-) or Isn’t it sad! 8-( or Wink! ;-) You can Google emoticons for more.
Be aware that not everybody understands emoticons; only use them when you know the readers will understand.
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Avoid SHOUTING
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WHEN YOU WRITE IN CAPITALS ONLINE IT IS THE SAME AS SHOUTING. Try to avoid it!
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Share the floor
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Not everyone can get online regularly, or has the confidence to post ideas often. Bear this in mind and try not to dominate the discussion. Give others space and time to reply so everyone has an opportunity to be heard. |
Reply to messages
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When you’re responding to someone’s posting directly, you might like to include all or part of the message you're replying to in your own message. Use the "reply/quote" function to do this.
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Reply privately
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When you have something to say directly to the author that may not be interesting to the whole class, reply just to that person using the "Reply Privately" function. They will receive your message in their Vista mail box. |
Check it's ready to "Send"
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Re-read your ideas and tidy up the punctuation, sentences etc. When you're satisfied, hit "Send". Never hit "Send" when you are responding in anger; draft it in a word processor and sleep on it.
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Flaming
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"Flaming," or flying off the handle and ranting at someone else is unacceptable; it’s the equivalent of having a tantrum, something most of us wouldn’t do in an onsite, face-to-face classroom.
When flaming escalates into a heated online discussion or "flame war", it is very offensive to other readers. Avoid saying anything that may offend another person. If you see it happening report it to your lecturer, tutor or subject co-ordinator.
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Plagiarism
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Plagiarism, cheating and other violations of ethical student behaviour are serious actions in a learning community. You should expect to be treated accordingly.
Make yourself aware of University policies, if you know the rules you won’t go wrong.
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Last reviewed: 14 March, 2007
