Netiquette Core Rules For Discussion Groups - Our First Ever Blog Post On This Topic!

After more than 500 blog posts on many, many topics, it occurred to me when a saw the article below, that I had never authored or posted a blog on discussion groups. So here you are! This post features a great info graphic. The link is included.

From http://blogs.onlineeducation.touro.edu/ May 19, 2014

http://blogs.onlineeducation.touro.edu/15-rules-netiquette-online-discussion-boards/

1. Before posting your question to a discussion board, check if anyone has asked it already and received a reply. Just as you wouldn’t repeat a topic of discussion right after it happened in real life, don’t do that in discussion boards either.
2. Stay on topic –

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   Don’t post irrelevant links, comments, thoughts, or pictures.
3. Don’t type in ALL CAPS! If you do, it will look like you’re screaming.
4. Don’t write anything that sounds angry or sarcastic, even as a joke, because without hearing your tone of voice, your peers might not realize you’re joking.
5. Always remember to say “Please” and “Thank you” when soliciting help from your classmates.
6. Respect the opinions of your classmates. If you feel the need to disagree, do so respectfully and acknowledge the valid points in your classmate’s argument. Acknowledge that others are entitled to have their own perspective on the issue.
7. If you reply to a question from a classmate, make sure your answer is accurate! If you’re not 100% sure when the paper is due, DO NOT GUESS! Otherwise, you could really mess things up for your classmates and they will not appreciate it.
8. If you ask a question and many people respond, summarize all answers and post that summary to benefit your whole class.
9. Be brief. If you write a long dissertation in response to a simple question, it’s unlikely that anyone will spend the time to read through it all.
10. Don’t badmouth others or call them stupid. You may disagree with their ideas, but don’t mock the person.
11. If you refer to something your classmate said earlier in the discussion, quote just a few key lines from their post so that others wont have to go back and figure out which post you’re referring to.
12. Before asking a question, check the class FAQs or search the internet to see if the answer is obvious or easy to find.
13. Check the most recent comments before you reply to an older comment, since the issue might have already been resolved or opinions may have changed.
14. Be forgiving. If your classmate makes a mistake, don’t badger him or her for it. Just let it go – it happens to the best of us.
15. Run a spelling and grammar check before posting anything to the discussion board. It only takes a minute, and can make the difference between sounding like a fool and sounding knowledgeable.

RULE OF THUMB: If you wouldn’t do or say something in real life, don’t do it online either.

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In addition to this blog, I have authored the premiere book on Netiquette, "Netiquette IQ - A Comprehensive Guide to Improve, Enhance and Add Power to Your Email". You can view my profile, reviews of the book and content excerpts at:

 www.amazon.com/author/paulbabicki

 If you would like to listen to experts in all aspects of Netiquette and communication, try my radio show on BlogtalkRadio  and an online newsletter via paper.li.I have established Netiquette discussion groups with Linkedin and  Yahoo.  I am also a member of the International Business Etiquette and Protocol Group and Minding Manners among others. I regularly consult for the Gerson Lehrman Group, a worldwide network of subject matter experts and I have been contributing to the blogs Everything Email and emailmonday . My work has appeared in numerous publications and I have presented to groups such as The Breakfast Club of NJ Rider University and  PSG of Mercer County New Jersey.
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