Student Guide: Online Privacy and Safety

Netiquette, a social code that defines “good” online behaviour.

These days online classes, video conferencing and virtual chat rooms are our new classroom and, we all be interacting with each other through different online programmes. We may be sharing and commenting on each other’s projects this way rather than being in a face-to-face class 100% of the time. This is why polite online classroom etiquette is just as important as minding your manners in the college classroom. A lot of this information is relevant in our regular online interactions too!

Do 

• Check your microphone and audio settings: Know how and when to use your microphone. Enter the classroom on mute and unmute when asked to do so.
• Check your camera settings: Turn on your camera unless asked otherwise. Place your device on a flat surface and do no move around. If your camera is on, wear appropriate clothes, don’t text or look at other devices or walk around the room while you are on camera. ·
• Be active and take part: Engage with the content. Participate in online discussions and ask questions in the chatbox. Keep your comments directed to the course material.
• Respect the privacy, diversity and opinions of others.  Address others by name and be mindful of your tone. Treat people as if you were in a face-to-face situation.
• Think before you type: A passing comment spoken in class can be forgotten a few minutes later, but what you share in an online classroom is part of a permanent digital record

Avoid 

• Using profanity or participating in hostile interactions.
• Using sarcasm, being rude or writing in all capital letters. It can be difficult to understand the commenter’s intent. What may seem like an obvious joke to you could come across as rude to those who don’t know you personally.
• Abusing the chatbox: Treat it like the learning tool it’s meant to be, and try not to distract your classmates with off-topic discussions or inappropriate comments. IF you would not stand up in class and say it, then do not write it in the chatbox.

When used for good the internet can be great. Unfortunately, not everyone is kind online. Even kind people can be rude or mean under the cover of online anonymity. See the poster for tips for being kind online.

TUS Students' Union: Athlone Campus

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