It is important to recognize that the online classroom is in fact a classroom, and certain behaviors are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your instructors. These guidelines for online behavior and interaction are known as netiquette.

Communicating with Your Professor

Addressing Your Instructor

Treat your instructor with respect, even in email, or in any other online communication.
Always use your professors’ proper title: Dr. or Prof., or if you in doubt use Mr. or Ms.
Unless specifically invited, don’t refer to them by the first name.

Vernacular, Spelling, Grammar, & Punctuation

Use clear and concise language.
Remember that all college-level communication should have correct spelling and grammar.
Avoid slang terms such as "wassup?" and texting abbreviations such as "u" instead of "you".
Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman and use a size 12 or 14 pt. font.
Avoid using the caps lock feature AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING.
Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons like :) or :(

Communicating with Everyone

Be Cautious When Using Humor or Sarcasm

The tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion post and your message might be taken seriously or offensive.

When Sending Inbox Messages or Emails

When you send an email to your instructor, teaching assistant, or classmates, you should:

Use a descriptive subject line.
Be brief.
Sign your message with your name.
Think before you send the email to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see your message?
Be sure you really want everyone to receive your response when you click, "reply all".
Be sure that the message author intended for the information to be passed along before you click the "forward" button.

Email Netiquette

Be careful with personal information (both yours and others').
Do not send confidential information via email.

Works Cited

"Netiquette Guide for Online Courses" by University of Florida: Center for Teaching Excellence is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0