Do's+and+Don't+of+Collaborizing

The Dos and Don’ts of Online Student Communication

To be effective, an online classroom must be a safe space where students feel their

voices will be respected, supported and heard. Establishing clear guidelines for online

interactions is a critical step in creating an online forum that will be successful long-term.

A stronger in-class community will form as a result of establishing and maintaining a safe

space in your online site.

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 to the conversation.

 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 the 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.

Go to www.CollaborizeClassroom.com for more information Examples of Strong Sentence Starters:

Rebecca’s comment made me think about….

Although Zach made a strong point that__________, I think….

I had not thought about Leigh’s point that….

I respectfully disagree with Lawrence’s assertion….

I really appreciate Deborah’s insight into….

Thank you, Manuel, for sharing….

Great point, Angela! 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….