Netiquette Rules for Students

Netiquette

What are some netiquette tips I can use to be successful in my online course?

Netiquette is etiquette for writing in the online environment. It addresses the do’s and don’ts of online communication. Netiquette applies to more than the discussions. It is important every time you interact with instructors and peers.

• Identify yourself. Begin messages with a salutation (e.g., Hello, professor and class) and end with your name. This is like the signature you use and indicates ownership of the content.
• Include a subject line if one is not already provided. This is applicable to both discussions and e-mails. When faculty receive e-mails from you, they may not recognize your personal e-mail. Better yet, use your Chamberlain e-mail so there will be no doubt.
• Acknowledge and return messages promptly. Please check your school e-mail at least every 24-48 hours.
• Use appropriate language.
• Avoid coarse, rough, or rude language.
• Observe good grammar and spelling. Please use Spellcheck for all work.
• Use appropriate emoticons (emotion icons) to help convey meaning.
• Avoid flaming (online screaming) or sentences typed in all caps.
• Remember that your schoolwork is considered scholarly, so please present it as such.
• Please use complete sentences.
• Avoid abbreviations.
• While texting has simplified our written word in many ways, your scholarly work is not an area where this should occur.
• Stay on topic in the discussions.
• Don’t write anything that sounds angry or sarcastic, even as a joke. We do not have our nonverbal cues to rely on in the written word and your message may be misinterpreted in the online world.
• Respect the opinions of your classmates. If you feel the need to disagree, do so respectfully and acknowledge the valid points in your classmate’s argument. Acknowledge that others are entitled to have their own perspective on the issue.
• Before asking a question, check the Q & A Forum in case someone has already posted on the topic; it’s likely one of your classmates may have had the same question.
• Check the most recent comments before you reply to an older comment because the issue might have already been resolved or opinions may have changed.
• Be forgiving in the discussions. Remember that opinions will differ, and we must be respectful and accepting of others’ perspectives.
• Netiquette Rules for Students