Good communication is key in all courses, but especially in online courses. You will be participating in online discussion boards, as well as communicating with your professors and fellow students directly through email, chat, and other online communication tools. For the most part, online etiquette, or netiquette, is similar to etiquette in a face-to-face classroom. The main difference is the lack of auditory and visual cues that often provide us with additional information.

Read through the following netiquette tips. Then test your knowledge at the end of this module.

Be respectful. Post only what you would say in a face-to-face conversation. Avoid offensive language, off-color jokes, insults, or threats. Criticism should be constructive. You can show that you are trying to understand a differing viewpoint by acknowledging and restating what the other person has said in your own words.
Be sure to cite sources in online discussions, just as you would in a paper or a face-to-face discussion.
Avoid using all capital letters when communicating online. All caps imply that you are yelling.
Use proper English (spelling and grammar). Abbreviations and spelling shortcuts may be appropriate when texting or emailing friends, but not in an online course. Make sure you are using complete sentences, correct spelling, and good grammar.
Stick to the point. Avoid commentary that does not add to the discussion. Read through discussion threads before posting your comments to avoid repeating what others have already stated.
Respect others' privacy. Don't share emails or messages that were sent directly to you without the sender's permission. Log out of Canvas, Google, and other password-protected systems when you are finished, especially on public computers.
Be patient and forgiving. Try not to get offended easily. Ask for clarification if something is unclear rather than making assumptions. Be forgiving of other people's mistakes, and cheerfully acknowledge your own if you make them. Don't correct insignificant problems in front of the entire class.
Keep a positive tone. Avoid posting online when you are angry or tired. If you do, avoid posting immediately. Save a draft and review it later when you are calmer.
Always review your messages before posting. Does it make sense? Are there typos? Does it follow the other rules of netiquette?

Zoomiquette

If you are using Zoom in your courses, you may want to keep the following guidelines in mind:

Be mindful of background noise. If possible, set up in a quiet location. Mute yourself when you're not speaking.
Consider camera position and lighting. If possible, center your camera at eye level. Position the camera so that you are facing a light source, and that that light source is never behind you. The best lighting is natural light, though direct sunlight may cause you strain. If no natural light is available, use a lamp.
Be professional during video conferences. Present yourself during online office hours or classroom sessions as you would if you were attending in person: dress appropriately, arrive on time, etc.
Be kind to yourself and others. Forgive interruptions and understand that people are not operating business as usual.
Avoid multi-tasking. You'll retain the discussion better if you refrain from working on other tasks until after the meeting ends.