Online Discussion Netiquette
Once you've read these guidelines, you'll feel confident to begin sharing your ideas, views and information with others in our online community.
Lurk for a While
Hanging out and just reading the material on the forums without posting is known as "lurking." It's a good idea to lurk for a while before you jump in with both feet. Reading the material here helps you get to know the people who post here, the type of questions, answers and comments that are commonly made, and the general way things operate.
Be Friendly
Your demeanour and behaviour sets the mood of these forums. If you're friendly, others will be more inclined to join and participate. We'd all much rather hang out in a friendly place than with a bunch of grouches.
Don't be Afraid to Post
The community that hangs out here is friendly and helpful. Don't feel intimidated because you're new to the forums or because you're new to education. You're welcome here, and we look forward to seeing your first post. Should you happen to get a reply that sounds a bit snooty or elitist, ignore it. Remember that 99% of the people here are great, and a snooty reply reflects only on the person who made it, not you.
Recognize Cultural and Linguistic Differences
We tend to think of all posters to these forums as being from our neck of the woods. Remember that the Internet is a global medium, and the person asking that question could be from Afghanistan or Australia just as easily as they could be from Canada or the USA. The English language is widely used, but it's not universal. Be sensitive to cultural differences, weaknesses in the ability to express oneself in written language and differences in terminology.
Share Your Expertise
That's what it's all about - it's the reason these forums exists. If someone asks a question, and you have an answer, please take the time to provide that information in as much detail as possible. One caveat - what you think and what you know are two different things. If you know something, post it as an answer. If you're not 100% sure, qualify your answer and be up front that you think so, rather than know so. People tend to take replies on forums as gospel, and it's important that you don't lead someone astray with less-than-certain information.
Remember that Users are Human Beings
Forums like this one have the ability to connect thousands of people, forming community. They also separate people because there is no personal contact. We see only a computer monitor, not the actual person. That's the irony of the medium. When you post a response on the forums, you see only text on a screen, but that text was put there by a real, live human being with real feelings. Remember this as you post - anonymity sometimes makes it easy to say things that we normally wouldn't. Would you say it if you were face to face with the person? If not, then don't post it.
Don't Flame
Flaming is engaging in personal attacks on the web. It's very important to remember at all times to argue the point rather than attacking the person that made the point. Debates (even heated, vociferous debates) are welcomed - personal attacks are not. You won't win any converts to your way of thinking by insulting another person. Use persuasion, not confrontation.
Free Speech Law Does not Apply
We're not being arbitrary, or petty dictators here, and we very rarely would censor a post, but it's true - free speech laws don't apply here. This isn't a public square where you can stand on a soapbox and say whatever you want - it's a privately run forum and we as owners and moderators have the right to establish limits and set policies regarding posting here.
While we encourage a robust, open debate on the topic at hand, these comment threads are moderated by People for Education, and we may delete comments that we judge to be off-topic, unduly repetitive, that risk slander or descend into personal attacks. We reserve the right to ban members.
You are solely responsible for the content of your comments. People for Education cannot verify the accuracy of comments posted here.
Don't Hijack a Thread
If someone has started a thread, don't change the subject and take it off in another direction. That's considered hijacking and it's not polite. If a particular post sparks a new question, start a new thread with that question.
Read the Whole Thread
Sometimes threads run to several pages. Don't read the first two posts and jump into the discussion without seeing what else has been said. You may be repeating information already posted, or the focus of the thread may have subtly shifted in another page.
Don't Cross Post
Don't post the same question in a number of forums. Most people use the "newest posts" page as a starting point, and if you've posted in multiple forums, they'll see all of those multiple posts. What will most likely happen is that some people will reply to one of the posts, and others may reply to one of the others. Keep the discussion focussed by having only a single place to read and reply.
Maintain Your Thread
Once you've asked a question, come back once in a while and look at where the thread is going. Someone may have asked you to clarify a point or provide additional info.
Don't Expect an Instantaneous Reply
People don't sit around here watching the forums so that they can provide information instantly. You'll probably get an answer to your question, but it may not happen within an hour. Please don't post a question on the forums, and then an hour later, post a reply that says "anyone?" and an hour later another that says "so nobody knows the answer?" and so on. Be patient. People may be involved in other important stuff.
Mind Your Manners
Remember when your mom forced you to call Grandma to say thank you for the birthday present she sent? Well, we're being Mom here. Say "thank you" if someone helps you out. Really, it's not considered a waste of bandwidth. If someone takes the time to provide useful information to you, take the time to thank them.
Use Descriptive Subject Lines
Be as informative as possible in the subject line - it's what people see as they scan through the forums, and it's what they use to determine if they'll read (and subsequently respond to) your post.
Choose Your Words Carefully
The Internet is notoriously bad at communicating subtleties of language. You may post something intended to be humorous or mildly sarcastic; and the recipient may perceive it as insulting or demeaning. You can use emoticons (smilies) in your posts to help convey emotion. They aren't just there to look cute - they're very helpful in conveying meaning. A "wink" after a tongue-in-cheek comment goes a long way to letting others know you're just kidding.
We Don't All Have to Agree
If you have the type of personality that drives you to sway everyone to your way of thinking, you'll go crazy here. If people disagree with your way of thinking, accept it as inevitable and get over it. Sometimes the best way to maintain peace is to agree to disagree.
We'll waive this recommendation as soon as there's global peace :-)
Be Open to Other Points of View
We may know lots, but none of us know everything. Being open to other points of view is the sign of an intelligent person with an open mind. Giving serious consideration to another's viewpoint is a great way of learning and growing. Be gracious and admit it if you've made a mistake, and welcome the knowledge if someone shows you a better way of doing something.
Count to Ten
If someone posts something that you don't like or don't agree with, don't instantaneously snap back at them. Take a deep breath, count to ten. Go for a walk around the park. Re-read the post. A bit of thought and a bit of time will almost always result in a more rational, reasoned and polite response.
Don't Advertise for Profit Stuff
We provide and pay for these forums as a meeting place for people sharing a common interest. They shouldn't be considered a way to get free advertising material out to that group. Members who advertise commercial services or programs will be banned from the community.
Don't Over-Use Emoticons
Really - one smiley will do. You don't need a string of twenty.
Keep it Family-Friendly
We're not prudes - but we like to think of this site as family friendly. You don't need vulgarity to prove your point. Your tolerance level may be far higher to this type of thing than other visitors, so it's best to err on the side of caution.
Don't Shout
The use of all caps when typing is CONSIDERED TO BE SHOUTING and is generally seen as being rude. It's also hard to read. That little button at the far left of the keyboard that says "Caps Lock" will prevent this from happening if you take the time to use it
Don't be a Troll
A troll is someone who likes to stir things up just for the sake of stirring things up. Trolls post controversial, provocative or insulting material just to get a rise out of the other forum users. If you're inclined to do this, please go away - far away. We don't want you here. Trolls can kill forum communities faster than the black plague.
Ignore Trolls
If you're on the receiving end of trollish behaviour, ignore it. Trolls are attention-seekers, and will quickly tire of their destructive activity if nobody responds. Really - bite your tongue and say nothing.
Don't Post Libellous Material
The Internet isn't an anonymous free-for-all. You're responsible for what you post in a public venue like these forums, and the rule of law applies to those posts. If you post something libellous, you could be getting yourself (and maybe us) in a heap of trouble.
Private Messages Deserve Private Replies
If someone sends you a question via private message, reply using that same medium. Don't post a public reply in the forums. There may be a reason that the person used the private message system, so respect that.
Keep Your Signature Small
Some people like to put a favourite quotation or their contact info in their signature. That's fine - but keep it brief, and hopefully in small font. Huge, bloated signatures take up room, use bandwidth and make reading the forums difficult.
Read Your Post Before Submitting It
Before you click that submit button, quickly re-read it. Are their obvious spelling or grammar errors? Does the post accurately convey your question? Could your post be misconstrued in any way?
Don't Take Questions Off-Forum
These forums are here so that all can benefit from shared information. Don't post a question and ask that people email you with a response. The information shared in your post will probably be useful to someone else; and having it posted on the forums means that it will be permanently archived for others to use.
These guidelines belong to the Canadian Canoe Routes who have graciously permitted us to post them here. They are an online meeting place for those who enjoy exploring the lakes and rivers of Canada by canoe. We think their guidelines are the best!
Lurk for a While
Hanging out and just reading the material on the forums without posting is known as "lurking." It's a good idea to lurk for a while before you jump in with both feet. Reading the material here helps you get to know the people who post here, the type of questions, answers and comments that are commonly made, and the general way things operate.
Be Friendly
Your demeanour and behaviour sets the mood of these forums. If you're friendly, others will be more inclined to join and participate. We'd all much rather hang out in a friendly place than with a bunch of grouches.
Don't be Afraid to Post
The community that hangs out here is friendly and helpful. Don't feel intimidated because you're new to the forums or because you're new to education. You're welcome here, and we look forward to seeing your first post. Should you happen to get a reply that sounds a bit snooty or elitist, ignore it. Remember that 99% of the people here are great, and a snooty reply reflects only on the person who made it, not you.
Recognize Cultural and Linguistic Differences
We tend to think of all posters to these forums as being from our neck of the woods. Remember that the Internet is a global medium, and the person asking that question could be from Afghanistan or Australia just as easily as they could be from Canada or the USA. The English language is widely used, but it's not universal. Be sensitive to cultural differences, weaknesses in the ability to express oneself in written language and differences in terminology.
Share Your Expertise
That's what it's all about - it's the reason these forums exists. If someone asks a question, and you have an answer, please take the time to provide that information in as much detail as possible. One caveat - what you think and what you know are two different things. If you know something, post it as an answer. If you're not 100% sure, qualify your answer and be up front that you think so, rather than know so. People tend to take replies on forums as gospel, and it's important that you don't lead someone astray with less-than-certain information.
Remember that Users are Human Beings
Forums like this one have the ability to connect thousands of people, forming community. They also separate people because there is no personal contact. We see only a computer monitor, not the actual person. That's the irony of the medium. When you post a response on the forums, you see only text on a screen, but that text was put there by a real, live human being with real feelings. Remember this as you post - anonymity sometimes makes it easy to say things that we normally wouldn't. Would you say it if you were face to face with the person? If not, then don't post it.
Don't Flame
Flaming is engaging in personal attacks on the web. It's very important to remember at all times to argue the point rather than attacking the person that made the point. Debates (even heated, vociferous debates) are welcomed - personal attacks are not. You won't win any converts to your way of thinking by insulting another person. Use persuasion, not confrontation.
Free Speech Law Does not Apply
We're not being arbitrary, or petty dictators here, and we very rarely would censor a post, but it's true - free speech laws don't apply here. This isn't a public square where you can stand on a soapbox and say whatever you want - it's a privately run forum and we as owners and moderators have the right to establish limits and set policies regarding posting here.
While we encourage a robust, open debate on the topic at hand, these comment threads are moderated by People for Education, and we may delete comments that we judge to be off-topic, unduly repetitive, that risk slander or descend into personal attacks. We reserve the right to ban members.
You are solely responsible for the content of your comments. People for Education cannot verify the accuracy of comments posted here.
Don't Hijack a Thread
If someone has started a thread, don't change the subject and take it off in another direction. That's considered hijacking and it's not polite. If a particular post sparks a new question, start a new thread with that question.
Read the Whole Thread
Sometimes threads run to several pages. Don't read the first two posts and jump into the discussion without seeing what else has been said. You may be repeating information already posted, or the focus of the thread may have subtly shifted in another page.
Don't Cross Post
Don't post the same question in a number of forums. Most people use the "newest posts" page as a starting point, and if you've posted in multiple forums, they'll see all of those multiple posts. What will most likely happen is that some people will reply to one of the posts, and others may reply to one of the others. Keep the discussion focussed by having only a single place to read and reply.
Maintain Your Thread
Once you've asked a question, come back once in a while and look at where the thread is going. Someone may have asked you to clarify a point or provide additional info.
Don't Expect an Instantaneous Reply
People don't sit around here watching the forums so that they can provide information instantly. You'll probably get an answer to your question, but it may not happen within an hour. Please don't post a question on the forums, and then an hour later, post a reply that says "anyone?" and an hour later another that says "so nobody knows the answer?" and so on. Be patient. People may be involved in other important stuff.
Mind Your Manners
Remember when your mom forced you to call Grandma to say thank you for the birthday present she sent? Well, we're being Mom here. Say "thank you" if someone helps you out. Really, it's not considered a waste of bandwidth. If someone takes the time to provide useful information to you, take the time to thank them.
Use Descriptive Subject Lines
Be as informative as possible in the subject line - it's what people see as they scan through the forums, and it's what they use to determine if they'll read (and subsequently respond to) your post.
Choose Your Words Carefully
The Internet is notoriously bad at communicating subtleties of language. You may post something intended to be humorous or mildly sarcastic; and the recipient may perceive it as insulting or demeaning. You can use emoticons (smilies) in your posts to help convey emotion. They aren't just there to look cute - they're very helpful in conveying meaning. A "wink" after a tongue-in-cheek comment goes a long way to letting others know you're just kidding.
We Don't All Have to Agree
If you have the type of personality that drives you to sway everyone to your way of thinking, you'll go crazy here. If people disagree with your way of thinking, accept it as inevitable and get over it. Sometimes the best way to maintain peace is to agree to disagree.
We'll waive this recommendation as soon as there's global peace :-)
Be Open to Other Points of View
We may know lots, but none of us know everything. Being open to other points of view is the sign of an intelligent person with an open mind. Giving serious consideration to another's viewpoint is a great way of learning and growing. Be gracious and admit it if you've made a mistake, and welcome the knowledge if someone shows you a better way of doing something.
Count to Ten
If someone posts something that you don't like or don't agree with, don't instantaneously snap back at them. Take a deep breath, count to ten. Go for a walk around the park. Re-read the post. A bit of thought and a bit of time will almost always result in a more rational, reasoned and polite response.
Don't Advertise for Profit Stuff
We provide and pay for these forums as a meeting place for people sharing a common interest. They shouldn't be considered a way to get free advertising material out to that group. Members who advertise commercial services or programs will be banned from the community.
Don't Over-Use Emoticons
Really - one smiley will do. You don't need a string of twenty.
Keep it Family-Friendly
We're not prudes - but we like to think of this site as family friendly. You don't need vulgarity to prove your point. Your tolerance level may be far higher to this type of thing than other visitors, so it's best to err on the side of caution.
Don't Shout
The use of all caps when typing is CONSIDERED TO BE SHOUTING and is generally seen as being rude. It's also hard to read. That little button at the far left of the keyboard that says "Caps Lock" will prevent this from happening if you take the time to use it
Don't be a Troll
A troll is someone who likes to stir things up just for the sake of stirring things up. Trolls post controversial, provocative or insulting material just to get a rise out of the other forum users. If you're inclined to do this, please go away - far away. We don't want you here. Trolls can kill forum communities faster than the black plague.
Ignore Trolls
If you're on the receiving end of trollish behaviour, ignore it. Trolls are attention-seekers, and will quickly tire of their destructive activity if nobody responds. Really - bite your tongue and say nothing.
Don't Post Libellous Material
The Internet isn't an anonymous free-for-all. You're responsible for what you post in a public venue like these forums, and the rule of law applies to those posts. If you post something libellous, you could be getting yourself (and maybe us) in a heap of trouble.
Private Messages Deserve Private Replies
If someone sends you a question via private message, reply using that same medium. Don't post a public reply in the forums. There may be a reason that the person used the private message system, so respect that.
Keep Your Signature Small
Some people like to put a favourite quotation or their contact info in their signature. That's fine - but keep it brief, and hopefully in small font. Huge, bloated signatures take up room, use bandwidth and make reading the forums difficult.
Read Your Post Before Submitting It
Before you click that submit button, quickly re-read it. Are their obvious spelling or grammar errors? Does the post accurately convey your question? Could your post be misconstrued in any way?
Don't Take Questions Off-Forum
These forums are here so that all can benefit from shared information. Don't post a question and ask that people email you with a response. The information shared in your post will probably be useful to someone else; and having it posted on the forums means that it will be permanently archived for others to use.
These guidelines belong to the Canadian Canoe Routes who have graciously permitted us to post them here. They are an online meeting place for those who enjoy exploring the lakes and rivers of Canada by canoe. We think their guidelines are the best!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by People for Education on -
If you have any questions about how to use this site, please ask any of us! If you see someone has done something you'd like to do, just send them an email or write on their wall to ask how they did it. Or ask me.... looking forward to hearing from you.
Gay
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Permalink Reply by Bob Clements on -
Thank you.
This would be useful on joining, and as a regular refresher. Perhaps it could be linked at as a footnote, like "Share" and "Reply to This". I could be labeled "Netiquette" and serve as a pause before a hasty reply
For myself, I regular review Principles of Civility for Advocates" published by The Advocates Society. It may be found here: http://schools-at-the-centre.ning.com/forum/topics/online-discussion-netiquette
I confess I've not always adhered to these Principles
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Permalink Reply by Gay Stephenson on -
Great suggestions Bob, thanks! I will start posting a link to Netiquette in all my welcome messages to new members of this online community. I wish I had the control to put Netiquette as a footnote on the discussions - but perhaps one day (NING is updating and improving their tools all the time).
I think the link you posted for the Principles of Civility for Advocates, may not have been the one you intended. Is this it? http://www.advocates.ca/pdf/100_Civility.pdf It looks like a very honourable code of conduct.
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Permalink Reply by Bob Clements on
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Yes, Gay. This is the correct document.
It is intended for members of the legal professions.
It is useful to anyone.
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Permalink Reply by Sheila Stewart on -
These are really great guidelines here in the "Netiquette"! I really appreciate P. for Ed. setting this site up and making it available for such a meeting of the minds! It must be a huge job to manage on top of everything else you do! I see ourselves as guests in this forum and it is good to have these guidelines handy! I recognize that we participate as independent individuals, but what transpires on such a site can still ultimately reflect on the organization who sets it up. I respect the need for some moderation and boundaries set by the administrators of the site, if need be.
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Consultations, curriculum, confusion and conferences
There are many things happening on the education front - some better publicized than others.
The province wants to hear from parents and community members about the elementary curriculum (they just forgot to publicize the consultation); Bill 177 is going to undergo two days of public hearings in Toronto; and the Ministry hired a market research company to survey parents about the School Information Finder on the Ministry of Education website.
There have also been some fairly cranky meetings with the Provincial Education Partnership Table about the Information Finder, and all four provincial parent groups wrote a letter to the Minister of Education clarifying their concern about the Finder being described as a tool for "parent engagement."
Next week - more consultations on the Information Finder, maybe there will be news about the province's plans for all day early learning and child care and we'll be putting the finishing touches on the agenda for our November 7th provincial conference.
The province wants to hear from parents and community members about the elementary curriculum (they just forgot to publicize the consultation); Bill 177 is going to undergo two days of public hearings in Toronto; and the Ministry hired a market research company to survey parents about the School Information Finder on the Ministry of Education website.
There have also been some fairly cranky meetings with the Provincial Education Partnership Table about the Information Finder, and all four provincial parent groups wrote a letter to the Minister of Education clarifying their concern about the Finder being described as a tool for "parent engagement."
Next week - more consultations on the Information Finder, maybe there will be news about the province's plans for all day early learning and child care and we'll be putting the finishing touches on the agenda for our November 7th provincial conference.
THINGS WE LEARNED
By reading the news. Send Gay news from your part of the world to post here too!
Hugh Mackenzie, economist and People for Education board member, has written a wonderful column: Can we have an adult conversation about taxes.
Debate flourishes in Toronto over idea of new all boys school. Read the news:
Research shows single-sex schools are not the answer.
Single-sex classes score big, Toronto Star.
All-boys schools foster ‘achievement culture' , Globe and Mail.
School plan calls for boys-only classes, Toronto Star.
Oct 1st:
Happy World Teachers' Day!
To read about some wonderful teachers, click here.
Hugh Mackenzie, economist and People for Education board member, has written a wonderful column: Can we have an adult conversation about taxes.
Debate flourishes in Toronto over idea of new all boys school. Read the news:
Research shows single-sex schools are not the answer.
Single-sex classes score big, Toronto Star.
All-boys schools foster ‘achievement culture' , Globe and Mail.
School plan calls for boys-only classes, Toronto Star.
New research shows the value of work-experience programs in Canadian high schools.
Oct 1st:
Happy World Teachers' Day!
To read about some wonderful teachers, click here.
Latest Activity
Thanks for posting, Deborah! Yes, it relates well to some of the topics/questions we heard at the conference!
I think it is critical to frame discussions of success around some of the themes that Annie suggested in an earlier post - students, parents, teachers, etc. I also think that it is important to find places where this can be wedded to existing oppo...
A bunch of us from the online community are planning to "meet-up" at the conference at York University on Saturday Nov. 7th.
We can chat at lunch!
So let us know if you are coming... we'd like to meet you!
Help us to design a broader vision for education in the 21st century!
Hello everyone,
It's Sunday morning after the conference. I had a great sleep last night and woke up so excited about our group. I loved meeting you all, and I look forward to staying in touch as you explore some of these communication tools! And ...
This morning I was working on a blog entry for the Toronto Development Community Institute. I got on Youtube to search for a piece on Paolo Freire on literacy and oppression. I ended up watching this piece. I think it continues on beautifully with...
Good points Mike. I have also noticed that many of the parent groups and organizations around the province are made of of mostly parents who are over 40 years old.
Where are the younger parents who will take over for the more "seasoned" parents(n...
Everyone is welcome: this group begins at our conference on Saturday. It's a support group for people who want to learn more about using technology to communicate. How to do stuff here, or to start an e-news listserv, or group & more!
I concur.
What a good idea to engage the media.
In our area, Special Education planning committees (SEAC) are supposed to "engage" and consult via "invitation to respond" to "all parents receiving special ed services" but none of the special ed pa...
After living over 11 years in this province with school councils and governments of all stripes propping up their speeches with the usual parent platitudes, it's a real shame that parents need to chase down and impress upon a minister the importan...
Call me cynical, but is it possible that the email coming out from the Ministry and the extension of the deadline could have something to do with the opinions expressed in this discussion?
Thanks to People for Education for supporting this dialogue.
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