Online Etiquette
Online Ethics and Scholastic Honesty

Online courses are based on the premise that students learn best in a community. However, some things don't change: the practices of courtesy and respect that apply in the ordinary classroom also apply online, and require even more attention.

Online Etiquette

In the online classroom the instructor plays an important role, but this is a different role than most instructors play in the physical classroom. You'll see a shift in the way classes work. However, some things don't change: the practices of courtesy and respect that apply in the ordinary classroom also apply online, and require even more attention. Here are some guidelines*:

  1. Participate. In the online environment, it's not enough to show up! We need to hear your voice to feel your presence, and we especially need your comments to add to the information, the shared learning, and the sense of community in each class.
  2. Be persistent. Remember that we're all working in a fairly new environment. If you run into any difficulties, don't wait! Send an email immediately to your instructor or post on the Bulletin Board. Most problems are easily solved, but your instructor (and your course colleagues) have to hear from you before they can help.
  3. Share tips, helps, and questions. For many of us, taking online courses is a new frontier. There are no dumb questions, and even if you think your solution is obvious, please share it by posting it on the Bulletin Board or other communication tool.
  4. Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what you've written before you send it.
  5. Remember that we can't see the grin on your face when you make a sarcastic comment, we can't see the concern on your face if you only say a couple of words, and we can't read your mind and fill in the gaps if you abbreviate your comments. So: help us "see" you by explaining your ideas fully.
  6. Ask for feedback if you're not sure how your ideas and comments will be taken. Remember there's a person on the other side. If you disagree with what someone has said, practice all your communication skills as you express that disagreement.
  7. "Flaming," or flying off the handle and ranting at someone else is unacceptable; it's the equivalent of having a tantrum, something most of us wouldn't do in an onsite, face to face classroom.
  8. Any derogatory or inappropriate comments regarding race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, are unacceptable and subject to the same disciplinary action that they would receive if they occurred in the physical classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know.
  9. Plagiarism, cheating and other violations of ethical student behavior are serious actions in a learning community. See scholastic honesty, below.
  10. Students who abuse the online learning system are subject to the Code of Conduct and may be removed from the course.

Scholastic Honesty

    • Online students, as all students, must practice scholastic honesty.
    • Plagiarism – academic dishonesty – is a difficult concept to define and ranges from failure to use proper citations to wholesale cheating.
    • A student who plagiarizes may do so unintentionally or with purposeful deliberation.
    • Unless otherwise indicated, Internet assignments must be completed independently.
    • Don't take the risk.
    • Read the following carefully and refer to the web sites.
      • Academic Honesty see the Obligations of a Student and the Student Code of Conduct sections in Section 6: Regulations and Policies.
      • Plagiarism and Anti-Plagiarism
      • For the correct way to cite Internet sources, see ~ Internet Citation: Turabian
      • Stephen Wilhoit, in "Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism" (College Teaching, Fall 1994), lists the following types of plagiarism:
        • Buying a paper from a research service or term paper mill.
        • Turning in another student's work without that student's knowledge.
        • Turning in a paper a peer has written for the student.
        • Copying a paper from a source text without proper acknowledgment.
        • Copying materials from a source text, supplying proper documentation, but leaving out quotation marks.
        • Paraphrasing materials from a source text without appropriate documentation.
      • The Internet has made simple an additional type of plagiarism:
      • turning in a paper from a "free term paper" website.
      • copying and pasting text from a web site without quotation marks and appropriate citation.
      • But if the Internet has made plagiarism easier to accomplish, it has also made it easier to detect.
      • If you have any questions at any time about whether something that you are considering might involve an instance of plagiarism, please consult with your instructor before you act.

Obligations of a Student

    • Absence Policy
      • Consult the absence policy of your Instructor and college.
      • For example, the San Antonio College absence policy states: Absences: "A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a regular semester may be dropped by the instructor."
      • Consult the San Antonio College E-Catalog for details.
      • In most online classes, failure to submit assignments for a two week period will result in your being dropped from the course.
    • Students Requiring Special Accommodations
      • ADA Statement for Students Requiring Special Accommodations—As per section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if accommodation is needed, the student must get in touch with the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS )- 210-486-0020

Student Code of Conduct

    • Check your college catalog to review the Student Code of Conduct.
    • Whether taking classes online or on-campus, all students are subject to the Code of Conduct.

* Ethical guidelines suggested by Marylhurst University, Portland, Oregon




 

 

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Please send any questions or comments to Carol A. Keller, email, ckeller@alamo.edu
Last update August, 2009


The development of this website is made possible by an Alamo Colleges Instructional Innovation Grant for Spring/Summer 2002.
© 2002 Carol A. Keller and the San Antonio College History Department. All rights reserved.