NETIQUETTE IN ONLINE EDUCATION

Before the meeting

• Make sure you are login to St. George’s, University of London Microsoft Teams Tenant.
• Open the meeting link to test that it works and you can join the meeting.
• Any issues with the link contact the meeting organiser or ask another student to email the link.
• Test to make sure your microphone, speakers and camera are working.

Joining the meeting

1. Join the meeting five minutes before it starts, to make sure everything is working.
2. Turned off your microphone before you join the meeting.

Background noises like the washing machine spinning, throat clearing, etc. will be a distraction during the meeting.

During the meeting

• Avoid talking over or interrupting others.
• Speak a little slower and try to be as clear and brief as possible.
• Avoid eating during meetings.
• Stay present in the meeting. Do not talk to others in the actual room with you, even if the microphone is muted.
• When you have finished speaking, let others know that you are finished, by saying that is me or thank you.
• Have pen and paper at hand to take notes.
• Asking questions: The meeting organiser will give guidance for the best way to ask questions. You can use the raise hand feature on the meeting controls bar, then wait for the instructor to call on you or use the Chatpane in the meeting.

Remember to switch off your raised hand.

After the meeting

• Remember to click the red Leave button when the session is finished.

Netiquette is short for "Internet etiquette." Netiquette is polite considerate behaviour over the Internet.

Thanking, acknowledging emails

People cannot see your nod, smile or frown as you read their messages. So, if they do not get an acknowledgement they may feel ignored and discouraged from contributing further.

• Acknowledging before differing

Before you disagree with someone, try to summarise the other person’s point in your own words. They will be more likely to take your view seriously.

• Choose the right tone

All we see are written words when communicating online, it is important to choose the right words to get your meaning across.

• Be respectful. Remember that any comments posted will be online for all to see.

You should be aware that you are not always going to agree with the opinions of your peers. But, always be respectful.

Avoiding hasty responses

If you read something that offends or upsets you, it is very tempting to immediately reply do not! It can escalate into a barrage of angry messages. If you feel your blood boiling as you write, save the message and sleep on it.

• Do not write in capital letters, it looks like you are SHOUTING! Typing in capital letters is considered shouting or screaming online.

• Consider others’ privacy.

Ask for permission if you want to forward someone’s email messages or email address to someone else.

• Read your message twice and slowly, before you hit the send button.

Think carefully about the content of your message before sending it and be careful with your tone. Once sent there is no getting it back.

• Be concise

When contributing to a discussion, your point/s may me missed if hidden in a flood of text. It will make your message more readable, but it can also prepare you for academic writing.

Remember nothing is private online

Most things posted and shared are probably going to be there for a long time. You should not say anything considered inappropriate and rude.

Good netiquette will benefit you and others on the Internet.

Remember posting a positive comment just might make someone's day.