Transcript Virtual Etiquette

Virtual Etiquette
Communicating in a Virtual
Environment
Our Virtual Environment
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Communication Avenues Include:
 Email
 Virtual Classroom
 Discussion Boards and Chat
Rooms
 Conference Calls - Phone or
Voice over IP
 Other communication via
technology
Communication cues are missed:
 Body language or Facial
expression
 Voice inflection in some cases
Minimizing Miscommunication
Miscommunication
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occurs through:
Rudeness or
abruptness in written
or spoken
communication.
Not understanding
how others may
interpret messages
sent.
Not speaking or
writing clearly.
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Using ambiguous
language or rambling.
Using aggressive
language.
Making assumptions
about communication
received and not
seeking clarification.
Email Etiquette
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Manners & Tone
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Please and thank you go a
long way.
Re-read messages for
friendliness, respectfulness,
& approachability.
Avoid using all upper case
letters. In email, such use is
considered shouting.
Don’t be too informal if you
don’t know the recipient well.
Email Etiquette
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Professionalism
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Be concise, get to the point;
but ensure you explain the
situation (don’t be abrupt).
Don’t use abbreviations the
recipient might not
understand.
Use an appropriate,
professional email address.
Some nick names used are
not.
Use relevant subject
headings.
Email Etiquette
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Spelling & Grammar
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Use spell & grammar check.
Re-read to ensure the correct word is used –
spell check doesn’t catch incorrect words if
not misspelled.
Don’t use profanity
or offensive
language.
Virtual Classroom Etiquette
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Respect each other’s perspectives.
Raise your “virtual hand’ and wait to be
recognized.
Focus on the classroom conversation and
activities. Don’t do sideline chats or multi-task
during class time.
Before class, stop any other
applications running on your
computer.
Virtual Classroom Etiquette
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DON’T TYPE IN ALL CAPS. Again, it’s like
shouting. Follow email etiquette for typed
comments.
Don’t use profanity or offensive language – either
written or spoken.
Always sign in using your
real name not a nick name.
Launch your classroom
application prior to the start
time for the class.
Log in promptly & participate fully.
Virtual Classroom Etiquette
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If using Voice Over IP or a
conference call line, minimize
background noise.
Do not walk away from the
computer during class.
If you must leave the class, send
a private chat to the instructor.
They may have final instructions
or comments for you.
Follow standard conference call
etiquette for verbal
communication.
Chat Room/Discussion Board
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Follow standard email
etiquette guidelines.
Don’t interject comments
until you know what the
conversation is about.
In a synchronous chat
room, don’t type in long
detailed messages that
take a long time or a lot
of space.
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When making comments
about political, social, or
moral issues or values,
start comments with “I
feel”, “I believe”, or such.
Do not attack others
because of their
perspective.
Chat Room/Discussion Board
Participate in the planned discussion, don’t
enter new topics. Stay on track.
 When leaving a chat room, indicate you are
doing so. Otherwise, others may be trying to
talk with you.
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Conference Call Etiquette
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Minimize noise:
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Don’t shuffle papers or make
other distracting noises.
Minimize background noise.
Don’t put your phone on
hold. Hold music would play
for all participants to hear.
Suspend call waiting so
others don’t hear the
beeping.
Conference Call Etiquette
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Entering the call:
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Call in on time.
Introduce yourself when there is
a break in the conversation.
Call in on a land line. Try not to
use cell phones – too much
static.
Contribute to the conversation:
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Ask to be recognized. State your
name when you start to talk. Stay
on topic.
Don’t hijack the conversation.
Conclusions
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Practice patience,
tolerance, and tact
just as you would in
a face-to-face
communication
mode.
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Be aware - distance
breeds a feeling of
anonymity and
facelessness.
 Do not fall into
antisocial behaviors
or feel boldly
empowered to act
recklessly because
others do not see
you or you them.