Online Ethics and Netiquette

Online courses are based on the premise that students learn best in a community. The instructor plays an important role, but this is a different role than most instructors play in the physical classroom. You'll see a shift in the way classes work. However, some things don't change: the practices of courtesy and respect that apply in the ordinary classroom also apply online, and require even more attention. Here are some guidelines:

Participate. In the online environment, it's not enough to show up! We need to hear your voice to feel your presence, and we especially need your comments to add to the shared learning atmosphere and the sense of community in each class.

Be persistent. Remember that we're all working in a fairly new environment. If you run into any difficulties, don't wait! Send an email immediately to me or post on the Bulletin Board. Most problems are easily solved, but I (and your course peers) have to hear from you before we can help.

Share tips, helps, and questions. For many of us, taking online courses is a new frontier. There are no dumb questions, and even if you think your solution is obvious, please share it by posting it on the Bulletin Board.

Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end interpret the words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what you've written before you send it.

Remember that we can't see the grin on your face when you make a sarcastic comment, we can't see the concern on your face if you only say a couple of words, and we can't read your mind and fill in the gaps if you abbreviate your comments. So: help us "hear" you by explaining your ideas fully.

Ask for feedback. If you're not sure how your ideas and comments will be taken, ask. Remember there's a person on the other end. If you disagree with what someone has said, practice all your communication skills as you express that disagreement. "Flaming," or flying off the handle and ranting is unacceptable; it's the equivalent of having a tantrum, something most of us wouldn't do in an onsite, face to face classroom.

Any derogatory or inappropriate comments regarding race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, are unacceptable and subject to the same disciplinary action that they would receive if they occurred in the physical classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please inform the instructor.

Plagiarism, cheating and other violations of ethical student behavior are serious actions in a learning community. Read Scholastic Honesty. Know exactly what constitutes plagiarism.

Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Do not jeopardize your academic success.

* Ethical guidelines suggested by Marylhurst University, Portland, OR

Netiquette (Network Etiquette)

Please observe the requests below when communicating within Blackboard Vista Mail and Discussion postings:

1. Keep the email content course-related.

Non-course related humor is best shared with friends outside of class. Do not use the course to send spam or otherwise promote a business. This violates the spirit of SAC's code of conduct.

2. Make sure that everything in the content is respectful.

Write nothing that violates or infringes the rights of others or interferes with their learning. Examples of such violations include statements that are libelous, invade someone else's privacy, or are shameful, embarrassing, offensive, sexually suggestive or discourteous. Write nothing that violates the college policies for student behavior, harasses people, or incites others to take violent or otherwise unlawful action. This violates SAC's code of conduct.

3. Do not type in all caps. Many interpret it as SHOUTING and consider it rude. Type set in all capital letters is harder to read than type set in capital and lower case letters.

4. Post class-related questions in Main Topic for the Discussion Group. Placing them
in Discussion Board gives everyone access to the information and/or question.

5. Send a private email to the teacher if you have a question not related to the discussion topic or deals with a private matter.

6. Always fill in the subject line for email. It is not necessary to identify the class and section number in Blackboard Vista but you should definitely provide the subject matter in the subject line.

7. In replying to a message, quote only the part to which you are responding. Delete the rest before you start typing. That way, we don't take up valuable server space unnecessarily.

8. Whenever possible, start your reply message with a positive statement or a thank-you comment, but be wary of overkill.