Forum: Participate 3.1.2 Digital Resources and Netiquette

Forum: Participate 3.1.2 Digital Resources and Netiquette

The following rules should be employed when engaging into online discussion and interaction. 

When posting or responding, consider the following questions. 

1.  Is my comment essential?  Often emails and discussion are unfocused and discursive.  Remember that part of the effectiveness of online communication is that it can be brief and focused.  With this in mind keep internet discussion to its essential points.  

2.  Is my comment accurate?  Often electronic information goes without official peer review and can be inaccurate.  In an academic environment all posts need to be verified by the poster.  With this idea, one must also use sources as accurately as possible.  Although it might be impossible to verify all pieces of information, great care should be given to ensuring that this ideal is followed as much as possible. 

3.  Is my comment polite?  Often electronic posts lack context and can be considered rude.  Remember that sarcasm and even good-natured humor often require tone of voice and unspoken/written body language.  These nuances are often lost in an online environment. With this in mind, try to use as objective a tone as possible to keep academic conversation academic.  If subtle shifts in tone are required, then make sure that these are clearly shown with punctuation, clarifying comments, etc.  But do remember point 1 and keep these brief. 

4.  Is my reaction assuming the best of the discussion?  Often electronic arguments come from over-reaction to comments that were initially neutral.  Try to remember that most of the time, most people are not trying to pick online fights.  There will always be individuals who do so, but these are in the minority, and most people are sincere in their discussion, and are often more concerned with making their own points rather than criticizing others, including yours.  If you are unsure about the nature of a comment, stop, wait, and don't immediately respond.  Instead consider the true meaning, and if necessary privately and directly ask the individual what he/she meant.  

Remember that communication is easy with the internet and it gives even the shyest a voice, but because of this ease often words can be misinterpreted.  Remember Mark Twain's rule that "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."