This document provides guidance on proper online communication and behavior, known as netiquette. It discusses how to respect others' privacy, avoid generalizations and keep an open mind, and gives tips for communicating effectively online such as using proper grammar, avoiding all caps, and giving credit for references. The document encourages thinking before posting, as things posted online can have long-lasting effects, and maintaining appropriate classroom conduct regardless of being online or in-person. Overall, the document outlines best practices for polite, thoughtful participation in online discussions and courses.

1. Flex Your
CyberSMARTZ
Jennifer Dorman
jdorman.wikispaces.com

2. TestYour CyberSMARTZ

3. In what ways is the
Internet like a city?

4. How long is something
you post online available
for others to view?

5. What are the benefits of
social networking sites?

6. What are the dangers of
social networking sites?

7. What should you never
reveal when posting to a
blog, chat room, IM, or
other online forum?

8. Why should you think
twice before posting
anything (words, images,
audio) online?

9. Behind every name
and avatar there is
a real person

10. Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette
Respect the privacy of your classmates
and what they share in class.
N e t i q u e t t e Ti p s 1

11. Ask classmates for clarification if you find
a post offensive or difficult to understand.
N e t i q u e t t e Ti p s 2
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

12. Avoid sweeping generalizations. Back up
your stated opinions with facts and reliable
sources.
N e t i q u e t t e Ti p s 3
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

13. Understand that we may disagree and
that exposure to other people’s opinions
is part of the learning experience.
N e t i q u e t t e Ti p s 4
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

14. N e t i q u e t t e Ti p s
Be respectful of each other. We’re all in
this together. Before posting a comment,
ask whether you would be willing to make
the same comment to a person’s face.
6
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

15. Keep in mind that everything you write is
recorded FOREVER. On the Internet
there are no “take backs.”
N e t i q u e t t e Ti p s 7
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

16. Keep in mind that your online learning
activities are part of a class. Something
that would be inappropriate in school is
inappropriate online.
N e t i q u e t t e Ti p s 8
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

17. Online communication is
STILL communication

18. TYPING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IS
SHOUTING!
C o m m u n i c a t i o n Ti p s 1
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

19. Be careful with humor and sarcasm. Both
can be easily misunderstood in virtual
environments, especially by those who
don’t know you or your brand of humor.
C o m m u n i c a t i o n Ti p s 2
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

20. Review all discussion posts before adding
your own to prevent redundancy and
repetition.
C o m m u n i c a t i o n Ti p s 3
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

21. Check your writing for grammar and
spelling errors. Both reflect upon you.
C o m m u n i c a t i o n Ti p s 4
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

22. Acronyms (LOL, BFF, etc.) and emoticons
are commonly used in informal online
communications. Don’t overuse them and
remember that they are not considered to
be professional.
C o m m u n i c a t i o n Ti p s 5
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

23. Check your writing for grammar and
spelling errors. Both reflect upon you.
C o m m u n i c a t i o n Ti p s 6
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

24. Be sure to give credit to ANYTHING that
you copy, reference, or summarize. If you
can copy/paste it, it belongs to someone
else. Respect intellectual property.
C o m m u n i c a t i o n Ti p s 7
Lake Superior College: Online Course Netiquette Guidelines
http://wiki.lsc.edu/Netiquette

25. Researching SMARTZ

27. Search Smarter!

28. 1. The Title 2. Site description
3. The URL 4. Cached link 5. Similar sites

30. http://www.google.com/help/features.html
G o o g l e Re f e re n c e To o l s

31. Google Search Tricks
Prezi by Tony Vincent

32. http://www.noodletools.com/noodlequest/

33. http://www.schoolr.com/

34. http://www.tagedu.com/

35. Savvy Web Skills

36. Authenticating Online Information

37. Use this questioning
format to evaluate
websites

39. http://www.intel.com/education/tools/index.htm
I n t e l O n l i n e T h i n k i n g To o l s

45. Noodle Tools

46. Knight Cite

47. Re c o m m e n d e d Re s o u rc e s
Digizen http://www.digizen.org/
Common Sense Media http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
iKeepSafe http://www.ikeepsafe.org/
NetSmartz Teen http://www.nsteens.org/
Creative Commons http://creativecommons.org/
http://jdorman.wikispaces.com/cybersmartz
http://jdorman.wikispaces.com/Research2.0