Netiquette

Netiquette, a term referring to the rules of etiquette for online communication, is crucial for effective and respectful interactions in online discussion boards, emails, etc. Here are some guidelines to enhance your online communication.

Discussion Boards and Public Posts

Stay on topic: Avoid posting irrelevant links, comments, thoughts, or pictures that do not contribute to the ongoing discussion.
Avoid typing in ALL CAPS: Writing in all capital letters can come across as shouting, so use proper capitalization to maintain a neutral tone.
Be mindful of your tone: Ensure your messages sound respectful and avoid using angry or sarcastic language, as it can be misinterpreted without vocal cues.
Respect others' opinions: Acknowledge and respect your classmates' viewpoints, even when you disagree. Express disagreements respectfully and acknowledge the validity of their arguments.
Refrain from personal attacks: Avoid badmouthing or name-calling. Focus on discussing ideas rather than attacking individuals.
Use quoting: When referencing a classmate's previous comment, quote a few key lines to provide context and facilitate understanding for other participants.
Check spelling and grammar: Before posting, run a spelling and grammar check to ensure your messages are clear and professional.
Save your posts: I recommend typing your discussion posts in a separate document (e.g., Word or Google Docs) to save them in case of technical issues during the upload process. Additionally, reviewing your post in a document format helps ensure effective communication before pasting it online.
Remember that discussion boards are public: Your classmates and instructor will be able to read what you post, so be thoughtful about what you want to share and how you express yourself.

E-mail

Have a clear subject line: Make sure you have a subject line that includes relevant information (what course you are in, what you are writing about, etc.).
Use your college e-mail or message classmates and instructors via Canvas: Your e-mail address is--by default--your professional e-mail address while you are in a class. Please use it to avoid your e-mail getting lost in spam filters and to ensure all professional correspondence is in one place.
Dear...: Use a salutation or greeting before you get into your question. "Dear Professor/Dr. So-and-so" is usually a good idea!
Remind them of what course you are in: If you didn't already do this in your subject line, please remind the instructor what course you are in. Remember, instructors teach multiple courses in the same semester/term.
3 and Then Me (or, Check the Syllabus): Before you reach out to your instructor or a classmate with a question, make absolutely sure you have looked in at least 3 places to find the information you need. Key places to check for things include the course modules, the course syllabus, and your e-mail. If you can't find what you need, proceed!
What do you need?: Let the recipient know what you are asking. Keep it short and simple and remember to be polite!
Sign off: Common sign-offs include "Best," "Thanks/Thank you," and "Sincerely" followed by your name.