Tips for Engaging in Online Discussion Forums

Distance conveys a degree of anonymity, and as a result, many people feel less inhibited in online situations than in their everyday lives. This lessening of inhibitions sometimes leads people to drop their normal standards of decorum when communicating online. Become familiar with the following guidelines about discussion forum behavior.

• Use appropriate language. Excessive use of “chat” or “instant messaging” jargon is not acceptable for online discussions.
• Read existing follow-up postings and don’t repeat what has already been said.
• Inappropriate or offensive language, especially comments that might be construed as racist or sexist, are not appropriate and will be dealt with on an individual basis.
• Be careful with humor and sarcasm. One person’s humorous comment can be another person’s boorish or degrading remark.
• Do not use all caps in an online environment. Using all caps is considered SHOUTING.
• Remember that there are other human beings reading your postings, so treat everyone with respect. Don’t post anything you wouldn’t be willing to communicate face to face.

To post to a discussion board, simply click in the reply box located below the question. You will notice the box will then enlarge and display word editing options. When you have finished typing your response in the box, don't forget to click "Post Reply."

If your course requires you to participate in a discussion forum visit Participate in Discussion Forums for step-by-step instructions.