GENERAL GUIDELINES
- Do not share your password with others.
- Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm in a discussion post or an email. Consider how your tone might be perceived when corresponding electronically.
- Avoid slang terms.
- Do not share confidential information.
- Treat your instructor and classmates with respect and courtesy.
DISCUSSION BOARDS
- Participate. Rather than merely reading the posts of others, be an active contributor.
- Review and edit your posts before submitting them. Correct spelling, grammar, and sentence structure before making posts.
- Use standard fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman and use font size 12 or 14.
- Stay on topic. Avoid posting comments and links that are not relevant to or connected to the topic.
- Cite your sources. Always give proper credit when referencing another source.When responding to a classmate, write the following: “Dan said...” followed by your response/comment.
- Be sure to read all replies within a thread before replying. Do not repeat someone else’s post without adding something of your own to it.
- Move the conversation forward. Avoid replies that lack substance (e.g. “I agree.”).
- Always be respectful of other’s opinions, expressing your differing opinion in a non-insulting way.
- Ask for clarity with follow-up questions if you need someone to develop an opinion further so that you can better understand it.
- It is OK to disagree, but be careful not to make offensive, insensitive, or cutting remarks.
- Be open-minded, professional, and polite in your interactions.
EMAIL
- Use a descriptive subject line that allows the sender to know what the email is about and where to categorize it.
- Be brief and to the point while providing the receiver with all of the necessary information to be able to understand and/or address your email.
- Before you send an email to multiple people, think about whether it is necessary for all of them to see it. Be sure your reply is appropriate for all audiences before clicking on “Reply All.”
- Include your full name and contact information in your email signature.
- Only forward messages that the original sender intended to be passed along to others.
- Wait at least 48 hours before sending a follow-up email if you do not receive a reply to your first email.
- Unless directed by your course instructor, do not send assignments through email. Typically, they are to be submitted through Brightspace.