Communication in the Classroom

Your communication within the online classroom will consist primarily of e-mail messages and conference posts. Guideline No. 3 spells out the difference between these two forms of communication, and it is important not to confuse them! While both may feel like face-to-face conversations, there are important differences. In most cases, you are "talking" with people whom you have never met in person. Your readers are unable to observe body language that might clarify the meaning of your words. Also, they are unfamiliar with your sense of humor or mannerisms. Words on a screen also have a kind of "etched in stone" quality, unlike words between human beings. For these reasons, it is wise to remember some basic guidelines for online etiquette.

Communication Style

  1. Begin each e-mail with a greeting stating the person's name (Hello Kerry, or Hello Dr. Reed), and closing with your name on its own line (Regards, Kerry, or Thank you, Dr. Reed). This follows the format of more formal business communication (i.e., letters and memos), and it raises the tone of the correspondence so that there is a level of respect no matter the content. It also clearly delineates the beginning and end of messages in a thread containing many.

  2. For e-mail, identify yourself and the subject of your message. Be sure to include the course number and section, the assignment, and your name in the heading.

    Example: MSWE 648.0921 Jane Smith Question about Lecture 2

    Example: MSWE 648.0921 Jane Smith Research Paper attached

  3. Write to the whole group through a conference note. Use e-mail to send a private message.

  4. Write notes that are concise and to the point. Whenever possible, limit comments to a maximum of one screen. Your classmates will greatly appreciate your respect for their time.

  5. Be clear and logical. It is possible to write a paragraph that contains no errors in grammar or spelling, but still makes no sense. Doing so in the classroom wastes time and reflects badly on you.

  6. Choose words and typestyles thoughtfully. If using bold type or all capitals, will people think you are shouting at them or simply emphasizing a point? Be careful with words or phrases that can stereotype people and remain professional when responding to ideas with which you feel strongly. Use emoticons sparingly, as they are often misunderstood and relay vague ideas. It is better to find clear words for your thoughts.

  7. Avoid satire or sarcasm. Few people can successfully write humor and satire. A probable and perhaps lasting misunderstanding is not worth an unlikely and passing chuckle.

  8. If your message is designed to vent strong feelings, write it, but do not send it until you have slept on it overnight. It is interesting how different your words look in the light of day!

  9. As the reader, give the author the benefit of the doubt. If something seems hostile or offensive, ask for clarification before you leap to that conclusion. Practice patience and courtesy.

  10. Apologize. When a misunderstanding occurs, acknowledge when you have been unclear, apologize, say what you meant more clearly, and then put it behind you.

  11. Use "please" and "thank you." The power of these simple signs of respect and caring cannot be overstated.

  12. Practice random acts of kindness. Think of what you can say (without being obsequious) that would brighten the recipient's day. It simply makes for a better experience for everyone, and as a bonus you may find that people pay better attention to what you have to say.

  13. Above all, remain polite and professional at all times. Do not use offensive language and do not be confrontational for the sake of confrontation. Treat all class members with respect and courtesy, and ask yourself, "Would I say this if we were sitting in a face-to-face classroom?" If the answer is no, rewrite and reread.

  14. Never write anything you wouldn't want to see publicly printed; computer messages cannot be assumed to be private.

  15. Because anything you write online can be (and may be) forwarded to others, do not disclose trade secrets or company-confidential information as part of a course.

    16. Source: Adapted from UMUC's "Guidelines for Online Etiquette."

Communication Substance

Effective conference posts: Your instructor will also be evaluating the effectiveness of your conference posts. Standards such as "critical thinking," "contribution to discussion," and "cites resources" will be used to evaluate your posts. You will receive a rating from "1" to "5" on each standard for your posts within required conferences. The ratings are based on the degree to which your posts meet the standards. Different programs within UMUC may have different rubrics (sets of standards). It is important to review rubrics before submitting your posts or assignments. For more information on standards for evaluating conference posts in Social Sciences, review the rubric before you continue.

Here is an example of a conference post, by UMUC faculty member Wendy Carter-Veale, that meets the highest standards of the social science rubric.