what is netiquette, and why is it essential in an online course?

by Dr. Fred Bogan DDS 6 min read

Netiquette Netiquette is important in online classes because it causes communication to be more professional, clear and polite, enabling students to exchange ideas freely and offer input on assignments and online forums and via e-mail. Netiquette is comparable to appropriate manners in a professional or academic setting.

Netiquette (Online Etiquette) is a set of rules that encourages appropriate and courteous online behavior. These rules are important as they promote communication skills, prevent miscommunications, and help you understand what is socially acceptable when working and collaborating online.

Full Answer

What are Netiquette Guidelines and why are they important?

Apr 03, 2020 · Netiquette refers to rules and guidelines for etiquette on the Internet. Netiquette is important in online classes because it causes communication to be more professional, clear and polite, enabling students to exchange ideas freely and offer input on assignments and online forums and via e-mail.

What are the netiquette rules for online students?

Jun 19, 2017 · Netiquette, or “good” online behavior, is essential to maintaining a healthy and productive learning environment in online classes. Check out these tips to ensure you're being professional and friendly in your online classes. Netiquette, a social code that defines “good” online behavior is something to keep in mind during your online course interactions.

Why is etiquette important in online classrooms?

Jan 29, 2021 · A portmanteau of internet and etiquette, it is a collection of guidelines to maintain a comfortable and efficient online environment. Netiquette, like traditional etiquette, works differently in different social scenarios. But overarching ideas such as ‘be kind’ or ‘respect all people’ remains the same.

Why do rules for online classes change over time?

Rules of Netiquette in Online & Distance Learning Courses. To ensure your peers and instructor receive your written communications as you intended, keep the following netiquette rules in mind: When communicating online, remember there are real humans reading your words who deserve respect. Without the benefit of facial cues and other physical ...

Meaning Of Netiquette

The definition of netiquette states that it’s a set of rules for courteous and respectful online behavior.

Importance Of Netiquette

Oral or in-person communication has the benefit of body language, tone of voice and facial expressions that add to the communication between sender and recipient. Written communication is devoid of this luxury, often making the writer’s intent unclear.

Netiquette Examples

Now that you’ve understood the meaning of netiquette, here are some examples of netiquette or online etiquette:

Netiquette And Society

The internet has added a new dimension to the way people connect with each other. This means that the societal values of the physical world now extend to the digital world. There’s no room for hate, bigotry or copyright infringement online.

Businesses Netiquette

Online etiquette assumes even greater importance for businesses, given that most companies and their customers are online. Building and maintaining a reputation online is crucial for all organizations.

What are netiquette guidelines?

Netiquette guidelines are a set of rules that dictate what tasteful and respectful online behavior is. How to speak respectfully without taking part in disrespect or bullying is among the main reasons why we need these rules. These rules tend to change over time due to the changing nature of the online space.

What are the rules for online classes?

Here are a few ground netiquette rules for online classes that students should be aware of. 1. Be Careful With Your Tone.

What should online students keep in mind?

There are many things that online students should keep in mind, such as tone of voice, accuracy, proper grammar, privacy , etc. Being familiar with the unwritten rules of the internet and guidelines for interacting online can prove helpful with any online communication you have.

Why is it important to use short sentences when explaining something?

Unlike face-to-face interactions, taking too long to get to a point can result in the message getting lost in text . Hence it best to use short and clear sentences when trying to explain something. It gets the point across more effectively and leaves less room for misunderstandings.

When to use chatbox in class?

You should know to only use the chatbox when your text is going to be relevant to the topic you’re discussing in class. It’s not advisable to use it as a tool for chatting with fellow students about irrelevant matters. 14.

Can you give your classmates your personal information?

You shouldn’t give the personal information of your classmates and professors online to anyone. This means being careful with passwords, whereabouts, private conversations, and pictures. The same goes for both yours and others’ information, as it can be dangerous to distribute any of it without caution. 11.

Do you need consent to purchase goods or services?

Consent is not required to purchase goods or services. Request Information. Apart from texting, it is also advisable to be aware of your tone in online classes that use audio or video forms. However, this is where the rules of general etiquette apply more.

What is netiquette in online classes?

It is important for you as a student to recognize that the online classroom is in fact a classroom, and certain behaviors are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your instructors. These guidelines for online behavior and interaction are known as “netiquette”.

Why is netiquette important?

Why Netiquette is important to you as an online student. Proper conduct in an online class is just as important as in a face-to-face classroom with similar potential repercussions for failing to maintain decorum. Remember that in an online class it is common for a very substantial portion of your grade to be a function ...

Why should you include why you agree or add to the previous point?

You should include why you agree or add to the previous point. The point of a discussion in an online course is to help you and your other students learn through in-depth consideration of important topics. Always be respectful of others’ opinions even when they differ from your own.

What is netiquette for online students?

Apply now. Request info. Netiquette, a social code that defines “good” online behavior is something to keep in mind during your online course interactions . Writing may be the only means of communication you have with classmates and instructors, so it is especially important to do this effectively.

How to write a good essay?

Do: Use proper language, grammar and spelling. Be explanatory and justify your opinions. Credit the ideas of others through citing and linking to scholarly resources. Avoid: Misinforming others when you may not know the answer. If you are guessing about something, clearly state that you do not know the answer.

Some Netiquette Norms

Remember the Human. It is very easy to get depersonalised when you are sitting in front of your computer. Remind yourself that a Zoom call is not a YouTube video.You are still dealing with very real people and emotions. Being critical might be a job requirement, but you cannot be blunt about it just because there is a computer in front of you.

Why is netiquette important?

The same works for sounds too. When you have many people living in your house, a schedule display works best. Everybody respects the others’ video call timings and does little things, like not running the blender, to make lives easier.

Towards safe and inclusive workspaces

The internet and its anonymity equation have undergone a paradigm shift. It is as varied and diverse and has made our relationship with it more nuanced. We lean on this medium quite heavily for both work and play, and the onus is on us to demarcate these two areas.

How to ensure your peers receive your written communications?

To ensure your peers and instructor receive your written communications as you intended, keep the following netiquette rules in mind: Your Peers are Human: When communicating online, remember there are real humans reading your words who deserve respect. Without the benefit of facial cues and other physical indications, ...

How to respect people's time and bandwidth?

Respect People’s Time and Bandwidth: Your communication should be relevant and concise. Your peers and instructor will need to be able to read your work within a reasonable amount of time. Avoid attaching large files or images which might take time to download.

How can having more expertise help you?

Having more expertise can give one a sense of power in the learning community. Do not take advantage of others who may not have the same experience or knowledge. Some students may ask questions which appear to be off topic or peers might make errors in spelling, etc. Be kind and do not draw attention to mistakes.

Should I expect immediate responses to my work?

In addition, you should not expect immediate responses to your work. Follow the guidelines outlined in your syllabus for response time and feedback. Pay Attention to the Quality of Your Writing: People may not be judging you on your appearance, but they will be judging you on the quality of your written words.

Can readers interpret your words?

Without the benefit of facial cues and other physical indications, your readers may not interpret your words as you intended. Before sending any communication, ask yourself if you would say the same thing if you were face-to-face. Apply the Same Ethical Standards as You Would for In-Person Communication:

Do not share your peer's personal information?

Do not share your peer’s personal information - respect their privacy. This privacy extends to all of your classmates' presence in the online class environment. Sharing screenshots, video, or audio of your classmates without their permission is a violation of student privacy rights.

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Meaning of Netiquette

  • The definition of netiquette states that it’s a set of rules for courteous and respectful online behavior. The rules of netiquette apply in both professional and personal contexts. By adhering to internet etiquette at work, you’ll establish and maintain healthy business relationships. On the personal front, be mindful of what you say and how you say it.
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Importance of Netiquette

  • Oral or in-person communication has the benefit of body language, tone of voice and facial expressions that add to the communication between sender and recipient. Written communication is devoid of this luxury, often making the writer’s intent unclear. This is the primary reason for the presence of online etiquette—to allow us to communicate well virtually. M…
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Netiquette Examples

  • Now that you’ve understood the meaning of netiquette, here are some examples of netiquette or online etiquette:
See more on harappa.education

Netiquette and Society

  • The internet has added a new dimension to the way people connect with each other. This means that the societal values of the physical world now extend to the digital world. There’s no room for hate, bigotry or copyright infringement online. An important example of netiquetteis acknowledging the cultural differences of the people we meet online. The internet has broadene…
See more on harappa.education

Businesses Netiquette

  • Online etiquette assumes even greater importance for businesses, given that most companies and their customers are online. Building and maintaining a reputation online is crucial for all organizations. The rules of netiquette apply to business too. Organizations should be consistent and transparent in their communication with stakeholders. Businesses tend to gather and levera…
See more on harappa.education

Why Netiquette Is Important to You as An Online Student

  • Proper conduct in an online class is just as important as in a face-to-face classroom with similar potential repercussions for failing to maintain decorum. Remember that in an online class it is common for a very substantial portion of your grade to be a function of how well you perform in online discussion areas and other “classroom participation” activities. Your ability to clearly and …
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“Soft” Misconduct vs. Misconduct with Concrete Repercussions

  • Some forms of online misconduct are merely bothersome to others with the impact being limited to your instructor or fellow students finding you annoying and their being less likely to take your thoughts seriously. Other forms of online misconduct can potentially cross a line into the area of academic dishonesty and be treated no differently than cheating on an exam or plagiarizing a pa…
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General Guidelines

  • When communicating online, you should always: 1. Treat your instructor(s) with respect, even in email or in any other online communication. 2. Always use your professors’ proper title: Dr. or Prof., or if you're in doubt use Mr. or Ms. (Corollary: Make sure if you use a gender-specific title that you are clear on their gender. Some names can be gender ambiguous. When in doubt, go fin…
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Discussion Board “Netiquette” and Guidelines

  • When posting on the Discussion Board in your online class, you should: 1. Make posts that are on topic and within the scope of the course material. If necessary, re-read the instructions from your instructor. 2. Take your posts seriously and review and edit your posts before sending. (Would you put sloppy writing with poor grammar in a formal research paper?) 3. Be as brief as possible whi…
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Email Netiquette

  • When you send an email to your instructor, teaching assistant, or classmates, you should: 1. Use a clear and descriptive subject line as a way to give them a reason to open your email. 2. Be brief. Don’t make the reader have to scroll to read the entire message. 3. Put the most important part at the very beginning. They may not read it to the end. 4. Avoid attachments unless you are sure yo…
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Security

  • Remember that your password is the only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm. 1. Always follow University of Memphis campus guidelines with respect to password security. Keep it private and never share it with anyone. If you have questions, call the campus service desk at 901-678-8888. 2. Change your password immediatelyif you think someone else might know it…
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