This document outlines 7 rules of netiquette for students taking an online course. The rules are: 1) Treat others with respect as you would want to be treated, 2) behave online as you would in public, 3) make clear if information is private and respect others' privacy, 4) be considerate of others' time, 5) help others when you can, 6) be honest, factual, and respectful in all communications, 7) build relationships and avoid attacks on reputation. The goal is to foster respectful and productive online discussions.

1. NETIQUETTE FOR
THIS CLASS
Rules for how we should all communicate using the
Internet for this course – and general guidelines
Target is older secondary or post-secondary students

2. Netiquette Expectations
Netiquette Expectations
Rule 1: We are all people trying to learn
People deserve a level of respect and tolerance, at least what we
would expect others to show to ourselves as a person. Our learning
effort makes it normal to ask questions and be able to expect a
helpful response.

3. Netiquette Expectations
Netiquette Expectations
Rule 2: Behave as you would in public
Just because communications is done on the Internet does not
mean that content created or language use should be any less
appropriate than what would be shared to a public audience with
family members present.

4. Netiquette Expectations
Netiquette Expectations
Rule 3: If information is private say so and honor such requests
All communications begins with the presumption that it could be shared
publicly or forwarded to others. If not, it is up to the sender to make the
level of confidentiality clear. If a sender asks for such privacy of
content, then the request should be respected and not shared further
without specific permission from the sender to do so.

5. Netiquette Expectations
Netiquette Expectations
Rule 4: Be considerate of other people’s time
Provide useful information in a timely manner. Send information on
time as requested and do not send unnecessary requests, irrelevant
information nor badly formatted content that takes time to decipher.

6. Netiquette Expectations
Netiquette Expectations
Rule 5: Help when you can
When others have sent you either specific requests or general group
requests share your expertise when you can of the requested
information. Sharing your knowledge improves your communications
skills and helps the collective group. It also helps you to get future
help when you may need it.

7. Netiquette Expectations
Netiquette Expectations
Rule 6: Be honest, factual and respectful
When sharing information make it clear when you are providing an
opinion or a researched fact and provide references when
possible. Make sure comments are positive and respectful and not
negative or hurtful. Better not to respond, then to respond with
destructive criticism.

8. Netiquette Expectations
Netiquette Expectations
Rule 7: Build relationships and not attack reputations
Our written words have lasting impact. Only write what would be
useful in building a relationship with a peer who may be a future
neighbor or employer. Negative attacks are felt for a long time and
may impact your future opportunities due to hurt feelings or lasting
negative impressions about you and what you wrote.