Appropriate Online Behavior

Hello Students,

Due to the nature of an online classroom, I would like to take this opportunity to go over a few guidelines that we must all follow in our own online classroom.  The guidelines below pertain to topics such as acceptable posts, privacy of grades and classroom etiquette.  Please follow these rules throughout the term.

 Acceptable Posts:

1.    Students are required to write his/her posts and submit material by the initial due date.  Assignments submitted late will be marked according to the "Late Work Guidelines".

2.  Students are required to be as clear with his/her posts as possible.

3.  Students are required to write in complete sentences, to use correct spelling and grammar and to proofread his/her work.  Short hand notes, “text” language, slang, foul language, etcetera will not be accepted.  Points are deducted for poorly written assignments.

4.    Students are required to write at least 200 words per"Discussion Question" assignments. 

5.    Students are required to write at least 100 words per"Peer Responses" assignments.  

6.  Overall, students are required to be courteous while giving constructive feedback to classmates, when writing posts and when writing to the instructor. 

7.   The following will not be tolerated: bullying + rudeness.  Students who are thought to be guilty of either will be written up for an Incident Report.  For more information related to incident reports, please refer to your Student Handbook. 

 Grades:

Grades should not be discussed within the online classroom.  Grades are meant to remain as private information between the professor and student.  If you have concerns with your grade, please e-mail me directly.  Please do not post grade related questions on the discussion forums.

 Classroom Etiquette:

1.  Students are required to conduct him/herself in a professional manner both inside and outside of the online classroom when dealing with topics related to our PH136 class.

2.   Students should be aware of how his/her written words may come across to a classmate and/or professor reading the post/e-mail from many miles away.  Similar to most e-mails and text messages, emotions cannot be seen/felt through words. (For example: Avoid capital/bold letters – as these can sometimes come across as “yelling”.)

3.     Students are required to stay on topic when writing posts. Please do not go “off topic” when responding about a particular subject.

4.       In the event that a student’s posting –or my own- has upset you, please e-mail me directly vs. posting the information within the online classroom. 

If you follow these guidelines, it will make your experience in our classroom a more positive experience. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

-Professor Fiander