Consider that in an online learning environment, your first interaction with the instructor and other students in the course will be through an online ice breaker or discussion board. What do you want your first impression to be like? The following points will help guide you through proper netiquette.

What is Netiquette?

Netiquette refers to the correct or acceptable way to interact and communicate with others in an online environment. This includes posting in discussion boards and sending emails and other digital communications in an online course. The Netiquette Guidelines listed below should be followed by all LLCC online students.

Online Learning Netiquette Guidelines:

Treat your instructor and classmates with respect in all forms of communication. You should interact and communicate online with everyone in your class, instructor included, in the same respectful manner as you would in an in-person college course.
Always use your online instructors' proper title, such as Dr. or Professor, if in doubt refer to their course instructor page or syllabus information. Unless specifically invited, do not refer to your instructors by their first names.
Avoid using all capital letters as this implies that you are SHOUTING at the recipient of the communication. To provide emphasis of words or phrases, place asterisks, or use bold or italics.
Remember that all college level communication should use correct spelling, grammar, etc., and avoid using text abbreviations and slang terms. Again, this is where typing your response into a document first and using the spell/grammar check function can help.
Unless otherwise stated, don’t use unique fonts or colors; use whatever is standardized by the instructor or the learning management system. Generally, black text on a white background is preferred.
Avoid using humor or sarcasm as tone is sometimes lost in digital communication and your message might be taken seriously or as offensive.
Be careful with personal information. Do not send confidential information via email.

Discussion Board Netiquette Guidelines:

Avoid posting “I agree” or “I disagree” without adding more to the conversation in discussion board activities.
Develop your own ideas. If you are responding in a standard discussion board forum (one in which you can read other student postings before you post your own) read other comments first, then post your answer. You may find yourself answering a students’ question or have an idea generated by something another student posted.
Do not copy and paste what another student has written as this is considered plagiarism. Likewise, if you are responding to a “post first” discussion, be sure to generate original ideas.
Do not use generative AI tools, unless approved by your instructor for the assignment, to compose your discussion board posts. While this is not direct copying of another's work, it is not your original writing and is considered a violation of the college's academic integrity policy.
Respect your audience and remember that everyone in the course will be able to read your messages. In general, avoid using offensive language, insulting others, and be kind. Address the topic, not the person.

If there is a topic you feel strongly about, it may be best to write it out first as a draft and review before posting. You may even want to type your message into a word processing program (such as Word or Google Doc) and then copy and paste it into the discussion forum. You might also draft in and wait a day or two before posting. This allows your thoughts to cool and helps to ensure you are comfortable with the message before adding it to the class discussion.

Before clicking “submit”, consider this: “How would you receive the message you are sending? Is this something that you would say if you were in a face-to-face course?”

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