Dos and Don’ts of Online Student Communication
By Caitlin Tucker
Strategies for Creating and Maintaining a Safe Space:
- Use each other’s names. Using a person’s name when you respond to his/her postings creates a friendly online tone.
- Read questions and conversational postings carefully to avoid unnecessary confusion.
- Compliment your peers when they post strong responses or contribute original ideas.
- Ask questions. If anything is unclear or you want further information or insight on a topic, just ask. If you have a question, there are probably other members of the group who are confused and need further clarification as well.
- Be considerate. Remember that your peers cannot see your body language or hear your tone of voice, so you need to keep your language direct and respectful.
- Avoid slang, jargon, and sarcasm.
- Listen to all ideas presented. Remember there is no right or wrong in a discussion. A variety of perspectives add depth.
- Stay open minded.
- Respond instead of reacting. Do not write a response if you are angry or upset. Instead, wait until you have had time to calm down and collect your thoughts.
- Really read your peers’ responses. Avoid skimming. Respect the time your peers have spent articulating their thoughts by reading carefully and thoughtfully.
- Reread your messages before sending them to ensure that your ideas are clearly communicated and supported.
- Critique the content, not the person.
- Do not present your personal opinions as fact. Back up your ideas with information to strengthen your statements.
- Courteously answer all questions addressed directly to you.
- Make I statements when respectfully disagreeing. Sharing an opposing opinion or idea is an important part of discussion, but it needs to be presented in constructive manner that encourages further discussion.
- Do not use all caps when writing. It is interpreted as yelling.
- Avoid emotional punctuation, like exclamation points, unless you are complimenting an idea shared.
Strong Sentence Starters for Online Communication:
Rebecca’s comment made me think about…
Although Zach made a strong point that_________________________, I think…
I respectfully disagree with Lawrence’s assertion…
I really appreciate Deborah’s insight into…
Thank you, Manuel, for sharing…
I had not thought about Leigh’s point that…
Great point, Imani! Have you considered…
Even though Katie’s point is valid, I tend to…
Building on Dustin’s statement that…
In contrast to Michelle’s point…
Brady highlighted some key ideas when he said…
Caitlin, can you clarify your statement that______________________________?
Carmen, your posting reminded me of…
Lucy’s observation that ________________________ reflects…
Given what you know about___________________________ George, what are your thoughts on_____________________________?
Marcella, do you agree (or disagree) with…?
Robin, how would you define…?