"Netiquette" is a term used to describe the guidelines for behavior and writing in an online environment. The guidelines below are general; your online instructors may provide other specific requirements for your online posts in their courses. Feel free to reference this guidance for all your online classes.
Make sure you allow enough time to formulate, proofread, and post your responses.
Timely Responses
Instructors usually require you to post by a specific date and time. It's also a good practice to post as early as you can to allow others to respond to your comments. This encourages true conversation.
Format
Enhance Readability
Use paragraphs, bullets, or numbering to make long responses easier to read.
Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar
Please spell check, grammar check, and proofread your work before you post it.
Use academic writing
Please write professionally, as you would in a college-level essay. Don't write in "text-speak" or in ALL CAPS.
Write out words; for example, use "because," "your," and "I don't know" rather than "b/c," "ur," and "IDK."
Avoid slang and vulgar or offensive language.
Social
No flaming!
No personal attacks. Disagree without being disagreeable.
Non-verbals
Sometimes postings can be misinterpreted because we don't have non-verbal cues such as tone of voice or facial expressions to tell us the sender's intent. Whenever possible, clarify your intent or use emojis when appropriate.
No spamming
Self-promotion or commercial promotion in discussions is not allowed.
Personal Security
Be aware of what you share. Avoid publicly posting your student ID, passwords, phone number, address, private email address, grades, and other personal information in a discussion.
Use professional images
Avoid posting sexually explicit or provocative photographs of yourself or others, or photos which depict illegal or unprofessional behaviors.
A Note on Censorship
Posts may be censored for profanity, threatening, and/or inappropriate content by the course instructor or system administrator. Any content entered into or uploaded to the Canvas system is available for viewing and monitoring by your instructor and the system and college administrators. Instructors may also delete posts that are deemed inappropriate or violate the Student Code of ConductLinks to an external site. in the Student HandbookLinks to an external site. at any time.
Grades in CanvasNext Module: Module 2: Characteristics of Successful Online Learners