• Adhere to Communication Requirements
• Check the course syllabus or orientation for specific communication guidelines.
• Communication in an on-line course is often like attendance in a course on campus.
• If the instructor does not contact you, get in tough with them.  Be persistent.
  
  
• "Netiquette" is the etiquette or ethical behavior while interacting on the Internet.
  
  • If you disagree with what someone has said
    • Use your professional communication skills to express why you disagree.
    • Remember there is more than one way of viewing a situation.
    • Try to imagine how the other person feels.
      
  • "Flaming"
    • What is meant by "Flaming" is using bad words, ranting, or raving at someone.
    • Flaming is NOT acceptable.
    • If you "Flame" someone, It will probably be viewed as if you were having a
    • tantrum in the classroom.
      
  • Avoid Derogatory Comments
    • Avoid inappropriate comments regarding race, gender, age, religion, sexual
      orientation, job, or status in life.
    • Statements of this kind are subject to disciplinary action just as if you were
      on a college campus.
      
  • Do not use all capital letters when communicating.
    • This is viewed as shouting on-line.
    • All capital letters are harder to read than Upper and Lower case text.

Back to top

• Explain your ideas fully:

• If you abbreviate with just a a symbol, word, or a phrase, others may not get the meaning.
• Avoid using "figures of speech" and be careful with humor.
• Figurative statements can have many different meanings and can often be
  interpreted in a different way than you intended.  They may be understood
  as "literal" rather than figurative.
  
• When you joke or use humor on the Internet, the other person cannot see
  the grin on your face or your body language to help interpret what your mean.
  They may be offended rather than think it is funny or clever.

• Before you press "SEND" on a message or assignment consider the following:
  • Carefully read over what you have written before you send it.
  • Did you say exactly what you meant?
  • How will the person receiving the message interpret the words you wrote?
  • Consider other ways your message might be interpreted.

• Share your Problems and Solutions with Others
  • On-line learning is a new concept for many students and you should expect to have
    to ask a lot of questions from the instructor and other students.
    
  • If you find a solution to a problem you have had, even if it seems so simple,send
    the solution to the instructor and other members of the class by email or by posting
    it on the class bulletin board.
    
    
• Cell Phones & Pagers in Labs
  • Cell phones and pagers must be turned OFF in ALL testing and practice labs.
  • Documented failure to adhere to this policy could result in
    • Point being deduction from your course grade if your instructor is notified.
    • You could be barred from using the lab for lack of compliance with these policies.

• Concerns
  • Let your instructor know if you have concerns about anything that has
    been said to you by other students in the class.
    
• Academic Dishonesty
  • Cheating is usually grounds for dismissal from the class or the college.
    • Cheating is just as unacceptable in on-line courses as in courses on campus.
  • Plagiarism, or submitting someone else's work as your own, is unethical
    and illegal all colleges.  An example of this rule can be found in the
    San antonio College Student Code of Conduct.
  
  Reference: Ethical guidelines recommended by Marylhurst University, Portland, Oregon