Netiquette Guidelines for Online Discussions

In an online asynchronous class discussion boards play a vital role in building a connected and interactive learning environment. They give students the opportunity to reflect on course materials, express their ideas thoughtfully, and engage with the perspectives of their peers. Unlike live discussions that may be limited by time or participation, online forums allow everyone to contribute at their own pace, encouraging deeper thinking and more inclusive dialogue. Through consistent and respectful participation, students strengthen their understanding of the content, develop critical thinking skills, and foster a sense of community, even when they are not in the same physical space.

To make the most of these discussions and ensure a positive learning experience for everyone, it is important to follow a set of clear expectations. The following guidelines will help you communicate effectively, contribute meaningfully, and engage respectfully in all discussion board activities:

1. Be Respectful and Courteous – Treat classmates and instructor with kindness. Avoid sarcasm, personal attacks, or inflammatory language. When students treat each other with respect, it creates a safe space for sharing ideas and learning from one another.
2. Stay On Topic – Keep your posts relevant to the discussion prompt or course material.
3. Be Concise and Clear – Avoid writing a giant wall of text. Ensure each sentence is relevant and contributes meaningfully. Provide sufficient detail to meet discussion requirements while keeping posts readable.
4. Use Formal Language and Grammar – Write clearly and professionally using complete sentences and paragraphs. Avoid slang, texting language, or ALL CAPS (which can seem like shouting).
5. Support Your Ideas – When making a claim, back it up with evidence, examples, and references to course content.
6. Read Before You Reply – Read all instructions and previous posts before contributing to avoid repeating others and to build on the conversation.
7. Be Thoughtful and Constructive – When replying to others, offer helpful feedback or respectful disagreement with reasoning.
8. Keep It Academic – Avoid overly personal stories or off-topic anecdotes unless they directly support your point.
9. Cite Sources – If you use ideas or quotes from readings or external sources, give proper credit.
10. Respect Privacy – Do not share sensitive information, yours or others’.
11. Meet Deadlines – Post within the required timeframes to ensure active participation and engagement.

E.A.R. Method of Peer Feedback

In our group activities that involve discussions, you will need to submit your initial post and then respond thoughtfully to two of your classmates’ posts. Your responses should be substantive in nature to allow for the opportunity for back and forth discussion, rather than a short statement such as “I like your post” as this does not provide an opportunity for the person to hold a conversation with you. To ensure that you engage in thoughtful and substantive discussions, please follow the E.A.R. Model of Peer Feedback detailed below.

The E.A.R. method ensures that each reply has a clear purpose, creating a rich and meaningful discussion environment:

• Engage: Acknowledge & Connect – Start by showing that you have read and understood your classmate’s post. Mention something specific they said and why it stood out to you.
• Add: Expand & Contribute – Add a new perspective or expand on the idea shared.
• Relate: Make Concrete Connections – Provide a concrete example that connects the discussion to real life, your personal experience, or something from the course materials.