10 Rules for Online Etiquette

26 sep 10 Rules for Online Etiquette

As an online student at Achieve Virtual, communication is a little different from that of a personal environment. We pride ourselves on offering multiple options for social interactions, but the difference is that most written text communications take place in an online environment. Since this means that you are missing out on body language cues and instant comments from your “listener”, it is very important to understand some common rules for good online etiquette. This ensures that the message you want to deliver is received correctly. In the age of social media, identity theft and social engineering, it`s important to keep personal information secret! Under no circumstances should your child share passwords or personal information such as name, address or phone number online. The name of the school or clubs should also be kept secret. For example, if you are not available, do not leave your opening hours online and indicate that you are available. If you can`t keep your website up to date, delete it. When communicating over the Internet, you should always remember that you are communicating with people and not just with computers or smartphones. As in the real world, etiquette rules are needed on the Internet. Netiquette is therefore important to avoid harmful consequences.

Another tip: When composing emails, don`t forget to use the appropriate greeting and farewell formula. These are also part of netiquette. Netiquette is interpreted differently in different places on the Internet. For example, it is quite normal to spread gossip in a TV discussion group. However, if you do it in a serious newsgroup, you will quickly become unpopular. So it`s important that you know where you stand on the internet. You need to think carefully about how you behave and act online, as this defines the type of “digital citizen” you are. It`s not a series of simple dichotomous decisions you have to make.

The way you behave online forces you to think carefully about many of the decisions you usually take for granted. A useful way to look at this is to consider the idea of “netiquette” (Shea, 2011) or clear label. The principles of netiquette serve as a way for users to rethink their behavior. Shea (2011) defined 10 netiquette principles to guide people who are new to the Internet and provide points of critical thinking to experienced users. Each website or community you use has its own culture and label. Shea`s principles are designed to help you navigate through the new and existing online services you use: you won`t print out assignments and hand them over to your teacher in person, so knowing how to properly submit your work online is key to your success as an online student. Online instructors often establish ground rules for submitting file assignments, such as naming conventions that help them organize things or accept acceptable file formats. Ignoring these instructions is a common example of poor netiquette. When you publish your degree online, you should make sure to include credible sources in all your articles and when you help your classmates by providing information on a topic.

Similarly, you need to be careful about what you believe on the Internet and what you share with others. For example, if you don`t know how to do this, stick to Official sites known for their credibility. Cumbersome language and repetition only obstruct discussions and forums; In addition, spelling mistakes can make it more difficult to read and understand what is being said. Sending chain letters also has no place in respectful online communication. The obvious exception to this netiquette rule is when you “befriend” someone while getting along, and then later have a disagreement. It is perfectly acceptable to disarm from someone when the relationship can no longer be repaired. Don`t torture them (or yourself) with On-Again-Off-Again-Connecting. In addition to texting, it is also advisable to know your tone in online courses that use audio or video forms. Here, however, the rules of general etiquette apply more. For example, not talking about someone, listening carefully, actively participating in classes, etc. It`s just as important to pay attention to the people you want to include, as some people prefer not to be added to large group texts or social media groups.

Good netiquette involves getting their permission first to make sure they accept it. Albion, (2015). The basic rules of netiquette – extract from Netiquette by Virginia Shea – Albion.com. Retrieved August 26, 2015 by www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html “Basically, all these mistakes boil down to forgetting that an online classroom is always a classroom,” Lynch explains. “Good netiquette means behaving in an online course with the same respect, courtesy and professionalism that you would show in a real classroom.” Following this netiquette policy is even more important if you are actively looking for a job online. If potential employers find outdated information on your professional networking site, they might assume that you don`t care enough about finding work. Be sure to show your best side online. Stay friendly and respectful, even if you disagree.

Good netiquette is characterized by respect, courtesy and professionalism. During your online studies, you will often be asked to participate in online discussions and occasionally conduct peer reviews of your classmates` work. Here are 10 netiquette rules that will help you communicate successfully while learning online. If your child communicates in a private group, they should refrain from making inner jokes that not everyone in the group will understand. It is best to send a private message to this person. Other participants in the chat should not feel excluded. Netiquette includes values such as tolerance, respect and helpfulness. It also means that only the language used by everyone should be used.

Remember that we live in a time when a lot is happening online, and building an online presence is just as important as the real one. That being said, there is no “real privacy” on the internet, and you should be smart about what you share. At UTEP, your success as a student, whether online or in the physical classroom, is our priority. If you`d like to learn more about student success, follow our blog and our Facebook and LinkedIn pages for daily ideas and suggestions. And if you`re not yet one of our students or are planning to start or finish your studies online, explore your options during a discussion with our enrollment team. Contact us and one of our enrollment advisors will contact you directly to answer any questions you may have about UTEP Connect and our 100% online bachelor`s, master`s and certificate programs. An occasional comment spoken in class may be forgotten a few minutes later, but what you share in an online classroom is part of a permanent digital recording. “Whether the privacy settings are in place or not, the internet tends to host things forever, and what you say in private can easily become public,” advises Etiquette expert Devoreaux Walton.