Student Services | Student Orientation | Online Discussions and Netiquette
Online Discussions and Netiquette
Online Discussions
In most web-based courses, part of the your grade will be based on participation in class online discussions. Although these postings may be awarded a relatively small percentage of the final mark, they are a vital part of the learning process. They provide an opportunity to share ideas, knowledge and experiences with fellow course participants. The discussion forum, along with email and other communication tools, forms the infrastructure to house the learning community.
As you engage in discussion in your courses, think about how you can contribute to creating a learning community. Your online discussions provide a forum for lively, informative conversations on course-related topics. Participation in these discussions will increase your knowledge of the course content and help you meet the course's learning outcomes. If you don't take part, you will miss out. The more you contribute, the more you gain.
If you are taking a self-paced class, interaction with fellow learners might be somewhat less predictable. You will not be starting the class at the same time or necessarily working together in the same way as in a paced course, but you will still contribute within the constraints of this type of course. When you begin, review past discussions by previous students and post ideas for future students in the course. If there are no postings yet, visit the discussion later to read others' contributions, and be sure to add your own. Check back frequently to see what might have been added to the discussion.
Discussion Guidelines
Why introduce discussion into an online course? Without the walls and group dynamics of a traditional classroom, these dialogues become the classroom. It is important to establish rules and guidelines around discussions to ensure that all participants feel welcome and comfortable.
Here are some suggested guidelines to help establish good communication in an online course:
- Post as early as possible. This will get the discussion going and will help the conversation flow. At the same time, do not be offended if fellow learners do not post back right away; commitments other than school often interfere with their best intentions.
- Don't think of postings as assignments. Do not focus on formulating perfect answers and remember that this is an arena to develop conversations like those that would take place in a traditional face-to-face classroom.
- Use emoticons (such as smiley faces) or other contextual clues to help clarify your message. Your instructor and fellow students can't see your face to judge whether you are confused or frustrated, so let them know using whatever tools are at your disposal.
- Consider all possible meanings of messages you receive and ask for clarification if you are unsure. Remember that communication in cyberspace lacks the visual and nonverbal cues that we use in traditional classrooms,
- Keep postings short (approximately 500 words). Paragraphs should be four to six sentences long and properly capitalized and punctuated.
- Inform group members if you're going to be absent from the discussion for any length of time.
- Be respectful. In order to create a space similar to that of a classroom, everyone needs to feel welcomed and valued. The discussion areas should be a safe place to create collective knowledge and to explore the topics in the course.
- Be willing to share your experiences. Expect that at times your ideas may be challenged, perhaps in ways that are not comfortable.
- Respond to at least two other course members for each activity, as the sharing of ideas and perspectives is likely to be the most rewarding part of the course.
Netiquette
One of the most important things to do (and sometimes the one that can prove more difficult online than in a traditional classroom) is to establish trust among the members of the learning community, many of whom you won't ever meet face-to-face.
Building this trust and carrying it through your course can depend in large measure on your use of netiquette, which is the code of behaviour established for communicating online. The netiquette that is applicable to any online learning situation is to some degree specific to a course and to the group of learners within it. As you get to know your fellow classmates you will "feel out" what the limits and expectations of your particular group are.
Know Your Context
- Remember that culture influences communication style and practices. Stay open, ask questions and avoid making assumptions.
- Your Open Learning Faculty Member will usually set the tone and provide guidance. Feel free to check with them if you're not sure about the appropriateness of a message or what you should or should not include in your online presence.
- Familarize yourself with TRU's policies on Responsible Use of Information Technology
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Remember: We're all Human
- We all come with personalities. Remember there is a person behind the words. Ask for clarification before making judgements.
- Review your tone before you publish your posting.
- Use people's names when communicating.
- Remember that culture and even gender can play a part in how people communicate. Your online classroom may be bringing you together with people from all over the world. Keep in mind that you probably have something to gain from exposure to views and backgrounds different than your own.
- When reacting to another person's message, address the ideas, not the person. Again, remember that there are real people on the other end.
- Remain authentic and respect the same in others.
- Recognize that different people participate in different ways. Some prefer to just read the communication rather than jump into it.
- Avoid jokes and sarcasm, which often don't translate well to the online environment.
Text has Permanence
- What you say online is difficult to retract later. Be judicious: think twice, click once.
- Consider your responsibility to the group and to the learning environment.
- If you are working collaboratively, agree on ground rules for text communication: for example, whether it will be formal or informal. Seek clarification where needed.
Flaming: Research Before You React
- Accept and forgive mistakes.
- Consider your responsibility to the group and to the learning environment.
- Seek clarification before reacting.
Respect Privacy and Original Ideas
- If you are responding to a specific point made by someone else, be sure to quote the originator of the material.
- Ask before forwarding items created by someone else.
Dealing with Issues
Sometimes, online behaviour can appear so disrespectful and even hostile that it requires attention and follow up. Flaming, which can be described as sending or posting inflammatory or confrontational exchanges via technology, can lead to broken trust and complete communication breakdown. Let your Open Learning Faculty Member know about problems right away so that the right resources can be called upon to help. Address issues sooner rather than later.