Distance Learning

Online Netiquette

Netiquette

It is essential that you communicate effectively with your instructor and other students.

The following are basic rules to be observed while interacting with others in online courses at Western Wyoming Community College:

Basic Netiquette for All Online Participation

Common courtesy and good manners, along with proper use of grammar, sentence structure, and correct spelling, are all part of proper netiquette when taking an online class.

Adhere to the same standards as you would for written language.

Remember who your audience is when posting to discussion boards, sending emails, or participating in a chat room discussion. You should behave as if you were sitting in a traditional classroom. Remember: The online classroom setting is more formal than in public forums or personal chat groups you may have used.

Be clear and concise. Explain your ideas entirely but get quickly to the point.

Using all capitals is the equivalent of SHOUTING and considered RUDE.

Avoid "flaming" or attacking someone for their point of view. Remember that it will be read by many readers, including the

Read over what you are going to send at least once, just as you would proof read a paper you submit. Remember, once you submit your work, discussion, or email, you cannot change what you have written.

It is not acceptable for you to present work or ideas of others as your own. If you quote from a source, use quotation marks and provide the original author's name and the work from which the quotation is taken. Use your own understanding of the work, instead of direct quotes if possible, and give credit to the original author by citing name and source of idea.

Discussion Board Netiquette

Try to respond to discussion messages within a 24 hour period.

Remember that since all participants will not be monitoring the message board at the same time, it may take some time for a response to your post.

Avoid duplication. Read previous discussions before you comment or ask a question. Chances are the information may have already been covered.

When posting a response, make sure you clarify which post you are responding to.

If the topic you wish to address is already covered under an existing thread, do not start a new one.

When responding to a specific comment, quote only the relevant part of the comment.

If your response is longer than three or four lines, break it up into paragraphs to make it easier to read.

Check in often. It is easy to fall behind and miss important posts by both instructors and students.

Email Netiquette

Check your course email often--this is the most popular method for the instructor to communicate with you.

Always use your antivirus software to check files before you send them to others.

Use your word-processing program to write assignments and check for spelling and grammar errors. Then copy and paste the work in the email to send to the instructor.

Avoid socializing in your online class email. Instead use your private email for this.

Most Important:  Always save a copy of your work to your hard drive or print a hard copy of all assignments uploaded or sent through email. Save a copy of any important email that you send to your computer. Things have been known to get lost in cyberspace!