Communication

Communicating online is an essential part of your online learning experience. You must be comfortable with written communication to participate in discussions, complete assignments, and work with instructors. Communicating in writing can be tricky. Written messages lack the tone of voice and facial expressions that help us to express ourselves in person. To be sure that we use clear communication, it is important to follow some simple rules of internet etiquette or "Netiquette." Netiquette is all about the code of behavior established for communicating online.

Netiquette Rules

Be polite and ethical, and follow the same rules online as you would in person.
Be aware of your "surroundings" and consider your audience. Use your "school" netiquette for online courses.
Be a clear and concise writer.
Do not WRITE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. It comes across as shouting. Use written annotations in your text to express mood. For example, you can use a variety of emoticon smiley faces :-) or surround words in asterisks, such as *smile*. Before posting a comment, read through your message to see how it will sound to the reader.
Don't assume negative intent. We all come with personalities. Remember, there is a person behind the words. Ask for clarification before making a judgment.
Avoid jokes and sarcasm – they often don’t translate well to the online environment.
Note that your email is not guaranteed to be private.
Do not reveal your address, phone number, or Palomino ID number in an open discussion forum. Respect the privacy of your classmates' personal information as well.

Online Etiquette

"What is Netiquette?" Kaspersky YouTube Channel. N.p., 17 Mar 2023. Web. 15 April 2024.