Virtual Discussion Guidelines

When writing your posts, keep in mind the following guidelines:

1. Compose your response in Microsoft Word (or another text processor).  This way, you can spell check and save a local copy for yourself. 
    
2. WHEN YOU WRITE IN ALL CAPS, YOU ARE YELLING and be aware that people might be offended.
    
3. There will be disagreement on the board. This forces us to think about our position and the position of the others around us.
    
4. Debate ideas not personal attacks. Insulting others might make you feel superior, but in the long-term it will result in grade penalties and nasty emails from your instructor. What is a personal attack? Usually, personal attacks contain “you” statements rather than “I,” have short comments like “you just don't know,”“the problem is people like you,” etc.
    
5. Give people the benefit of the doubt!
    
6. When composing your post, incorporate what we have been learning in the class and your readings.  One skill you need to develop is to support your arguments and positions.  Also, when available, add resources like a page number or a web address.

Resources:

Discussion Board Technical Help
http://courses.csusm.edu/resources/discusTool.htm

Netiquette by Virginia Shea
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/book/index.htmll
** Complete book online about Netiquette (network etiquette, the do's and don'ts of online communication).  This is a great resource for novice and advance users.

The Net:  User Guidelines and Netiquette by Arlene Rinaldi
http://www.fau.edu/netiquette/net/dis.html
** Although it pertains to listservs/mailing listings, it's a good resource and reminder about public online communication.