Online Classes - Discussion Board Etiquette

Summary

Professor Kobe offers essential tips for maintaining netiquette on online discussion boards, emphasizing the importance of tone, following directions, avoiding procrastination, contributing substantively to discussions, and proofreading posts. He also encourages students to innovate by adding relevant multimedia to keep discussions engaging, while reminding them to gauge the classroom environment before doing so. This guidance aims to foster a respectful and productive academic discourse in the digital classroom.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be mindful of your tone on discussion boards, as they differ from social media platforms like Reddit or Twitter.
• 📚 Understand that the tone of your communication should reflect the academic setting and be appropriate for an educational forum.
• 👩‍🏫 Be politically correct and avoid playing the devil's advocate unless explicitly instructed to do so in the discussion board prompts.
• 🗣️ Consider the teacher's perspective and ensure communication is conducive to an environment where all students can learn and contribute.
• 🔍 Check your tone by reading your messages out loud in different tones to ensure they don't come off as aggressive or sarcastic.
• 📝 Follow the discussion board directions carefully, which may include multiple steps like required readings and initial responses.
• ⏳ Avoid procrastination by managing your time effectively and engaging in the discussion well before the deadline.
• 🤔 Add substance to your discussions by engaging with other students' posts and contributing meaningfully to the conversation.
• 👀 Remember to proofread your posts to ensure they are well-structured, clear, and free from errors.
• 🎨 Consider adding relevant and innovative elements like graphics, text links, or TED talks to enrich the discussion, if appropriate.
• 😉 Be aware of the class environment and teacher's preferences before introducing creative elements like memes to the discussion board.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Professor Kobe?

The main topic of the video is discussing netiquette for online discussion boards in an academic setting.

Why should students be mindful of their tone when participating in online discussion boards?

Students should be mindful of their tone to ensure communication reflects the academic forum, is respectful, and does not come off as aggressive, which can hinder learning and discussion.

What does Professor Kobe mean by 'digital migrants'?

By 'digital migrants,' Professor Kobe refers to individuals who did not grow up with digital technology and are not native to digital communication, including some teachers and students.

Why should students avoid playing the devil's advocate on discussion boards without specific instructions to do so?

Playing the devil's advocate without instructions can stir unnecessary conflict and distract from the academic discourse, which is meant for learning and idea exchange.

How can students check if their tone might be perceived as aggressive in an online discussion?

Students can check their tone by reading their messages out loud, having someone else read it, and trying to read it with a 'sassier' or 'pissed-off' tone to see if it could be misinterpreted.

What is the importance of following directions when participating in online discussion boards?

Following directions ensures that students address all required points, maximize their points, and contribute effectively to the academic discussion.

Why should students avoid procrastination when it comes to discussion board participation?

Avoiding procrastination allows students to engage in meaningful discussions, submit quality work, and not rush through the process, which can affect their learning and the quality of discourse.

What does Professor Kobe suggest students do to add substance to their discussion board responses?

Professor Kobe suggests students engage in the discussion, respond to other students' posts, and contribute meaningful insights rather than just agreeing or providing superficial responses.

Why is proofreading important before submitting a response on a discussion board?

Proofreading helps ensure the response does not come off as a rant, is well-structured, and adheres to the academic tone and netiquette expected in an online class.

What is the additional tip Professor Kobe gives for enhancing discussion board participation?

The additional tip is to consider being innovative by adding relevant graphics, text links, or other engaging content to make the discussion more interesting and informative for classmates.

How can students know if it's appropriate to add creative elements like memes to their discussion board posts?

Students can gauge the appropriateness by understanding the class environment and the teacher's preferences, and should avoid being offensive or sarcastic.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Netiquette for Online Discussion Boards

Professor Kobe introduces the topic of netiquette for online discussion boards, emphasizing the importance of tone in academic forums. He notes that discussion boards are not social media platforms and that communication should reflect the academic setting. The professor advises students to be politically correct and avoid aggressive tones that could hinder learning. He suggests reading posts out loud to check tone and using evidence-based arguments instead of absolute statements. The summary also touches on avoiding sarcasm, which can be misinterpreted in digital communication.

05:00

🗓️ Following Directions and Avoiding Procrastination

In this paragraph, the focus shifts to the importance of following directions and avoiding procrastination when participating in online discussions. Professor Kobe stresses the need to understand and adhere to the guidelines provided for discussion boards, which often include multiple components like required readings and initial questions. He also points out that late submissions can indicate a lack of engagement in the discussion. The professor encourages students to plan their time effectively to ensure they can contribute meaningfully to the academic discourse.

💬 Engaging in Substantive Discussions

The third paragraph highlights the necessity of contributing substance to online discussions. Professor Kobe advises students to actively participate by responding to peers' posts and adding value to the conversation. He likens engaging discussions to enriching classroom experiences and contrasts them with superficial or 'fluff' responses that do not foster meaningful academic dialogue. The summary underscores the professor's preference for students to be genuinely involved in discussions rather than merely agreeing with others.

🔍 Proofreading for Clarity and Relevance

In the fourth paragraph, Professor Kobe recommends that students proofread their discussion board posts to ensure clarity, relevance, and academic integrity. He suggests composing responses in a separate document before submitting to avoid impulsive posting and to give oneself time to review and refine the content. The summary mentions checking for excessive length, personal bias, and vagueness, ensuring that posts maintain the decorum of an academic discussion.

🎨 Encouraging Creativity in Online Discussions

The final paragraph encourages students to think creatively when participating in online discussions, suggesting the inclusion of graphics, text links, or relevant multimedia to enhance engagement. Professor Kobe shares a positive example of a student who created memes related to the course material, which added a playful element to the discussion without being offensive or sarcastic. The summary advises students to assess the classroom environment and teacher's preferences before incorporating such creative elements into their posts.

Keywords

💡Netiquette

Netiquette refers to the etiquette guidelines for communicating over the internet, emphasizing respectful and considerate behavior. In the video's context, it's about adhering to proper conduct on discussion boards, which is crucial for maintaining a positive and productive academic environment. The script mentions being mindful of tone and avoiding aggressive communication as part of good netiquette.

💡Discussion Boards

Discussion boards are online platforms where students can engage in academic discussions, share ideas, and respond to prompts or questions. The video emphasizes the importance of treating discussion boards as academic forums, requiring a thoughtful and respectful approach to communication, distinct from more casual social media platforms like Reddit or Twitter.

💡Tone

Tone, in written communication, refers to the attitude or emotion conveyed through one's choice of words and style. The video script stresses the importance of being mindful of tone on discussion boards to ensure that communication is perceived as respectful and academically appropriate. It suggests reading posts aloud to check for tone and avoiding aggressive or sarcastic language.

💡Academic Discourse

Academic discourse involves the exchange of ideas and information in an educational setting, characterized by critical thinking and respectful debate. The video encourages students to engage in meaningful academic discourse on discussion boards, contributing to a rich learning environment and avoiding trivial or unproductive exchanges.

💡Political Correctness

Political correctness is the avoidance of expressions or actions that can be perceived as discriminatory or offensive. In the script, the professor advises students to be politically correct in their discussion board posts to foster an inclusive and respectful academic space, especially since the audience may include individuals from different generations and backgrounds.

💡Devil's Advocate

A devil's advocate is someone who takes an opposing position for the sake of argument or to explore different perspectives. The video warns against playing the devil's advocate on discussion boards unless it is explicitly requested, to prevent unnecessary conflict and maintain a focus on constructive academic conversation.

💡Directions

Directions in the context of the video refer to the specific instructions provided for discussion board participation, including requirements for responses and engagement. The script emphasizes the importance of following these directions carefully to ensure that students are meeting the expectations of the course and maximizing their points or participation grades.

💡Procrastination

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions. The video advises against procrastination when it comes to discussion board participation, suggesting that submitting work just before deadlines can negatively affect the quality of contributions and the level of engagement in academic discussions.

💡Substance

In the context of the video, substance refers to the meaningful content or value added to a discussion. The script encourages students to contribute responses with substance, avoiding superficial or generic replies that do not advance the conversation or contribute to academic discourse.

💡Proofread

Proofreading is the process of reviewing written work to correct errors and improve clarity. The video recommends proofreading discussion board posts to ensure they are well-structured, clear, and free from errors, which helps maintain the academic integrity of the communication and enhances the reader's understanding.

💡Innovation

Innovation in the video's context refers to the creative and engaging ways students can contribute to discussion boards, such as adding relevant graphics, text links, or references to enhance the conversation. The script suggests that innovation can make discussions more interesting and interactive, as long as it aligns with the academic nature of the board and the preferences of the instructor.

Highlights

Professor Kobe discusses the importance of netiquette on online discussion boards, emphasizing the need for mindful tone and communication.

The professor clarifies that discussion boards are not like social media platforms, requiring a more academic and respectful tone.

The generational gap in digital communication is acknowledged, suggesting that students should adapt their tone for academic forums.

Students are advised against playing the devil's advocate or stirring the pot in academic discussions unless instructed.

The importance of creating an inclusive learning environment is stressed, where all students can engage without feeling attacked.

Professor Kobe recommends reading posts out loud to check the tone and ensure it is suitable for academic discussion.

The use of evidence and open-minded language is encouraged over absolute statements in disagreement.

Sarcasm is discouraged in digital communication due to the difficulty in interpretation and potential for misunderstanding.

Following directions for discussion board tasks is emphasized, including printing or transferring instructions for clarity.

Avoiding procrastination is advised to ensure quality participation and engagement in discussion boards.

The visibility of submission times to teachers is mentioned, suggesting that early engagement is noticed and valued.

Students are encouraged to add substance to discussions, avoiding rote or superficial responses.

The professor suggests proofreading posts to ensure they do not come across as rants or are too personal.

Innovative approaches such as adding graphics, text links, or relevant multimedia are recommended to enhance engagement.

The professor shares a positive example of a student who created memes to make literature discussions more engaging.

A reminder to be innovative but also to gauge the classroom environment before introducing unconventional contributions.

The video concludes with an encouragement to be kind and considerate in online discussions, mirroring the professor's teaching philosophy.

Transcripts

hey I'm professor Kobe and today I want

to chat with you about discussion board

netiquette

since we talked about netiquette last

week when it comes to zoom conferencing

or being a part of your online digital

classes live this week I thought it

would be helpful to give you a couple of

tips as you work on your online

discussion boards if you're finding

these videos and tips helpful as you

navigate becoming an online student

practically overnight as so much of our

education is becoming distance education

please subscribe to our channel for more

content like this okay so let's get

started with 5 things to remember for

your online discussion boards number one

is to be mindful of your tone now first

thing you need to realize is that your

discussion boards they're not like

Reddit or Twitter so as you're writing

in there be very mindful of how you're

communicating your teacher is very

likely from a different generation than

you are and even if they're closer in

age maybe one generation away like me

we're still digital migrants meaning

we're not native to communicating we

didn't grow up with that digital world

just like a lot of our students have

ultimately just remember that this is an

academic forum and your communication

should be reflective of that the way you

write should show that your friends may

not judge you when you text them the

wrong there but I'm gonna judge you as

much as you may hate it now is the time

to actually be politically correct in

your discussion boards now some of you

really love to play the devil's advocate

and you might just be exploring the

other side unless that's exactly what

the directions tell you to do I don't

need you stirring the pot in a

discussion board a classroom whether

it's a physical classroom or an online

classroom it's an environment for

academic discourse for making progress

on these conversations and these ideas

in an academic setting that allows for

everyone to learn and potentially

contribute to I want to encourage you to

think about this from the teachers

perspective we want to create an

environment where all students can learn

and if someone is coming in with an

aggressive tone or attacking another

person it's really hard to learn if

you're in that fight or flight moment if

you feel like you're being attacked or

someone is coming off incredibly strong

and opinionated then it's really hard to

open up relax and actually learn

something so as a teacher I really

prefer if students our mindful

of how they're communicating it can be

easy to come off as aggressive when

you're just maybe curious so there are a

couple things you can do to actually

check your tone and see if it'll be able

to come off as something for an academic

conversation in the discussion board

first you actually recommend reading it

out loud read what you have drafted up

or have someone else read it see how the

tone sounds went aloud then also try to

give it a read with a little bit of a

sassier kind of pissed-off attitude just

a little bit to see if it could actually

be interpreted that way you can also

take a look at some of the specific word

choices or the way you phrased some of

your comments for instance if you have

written the author would never say that

in response to a discussion board prompt

you can see how that's very limiting

that's very black-and-white thinking to

say they would never think that instead

you support use evidence and a little

bit more of an open mind in tone so

perhaps if you want to disagree you

would look at the prompt and say I don't

think that the author would consider

that and the reason I don't think that

is because on paragraph 3 she states

this so using not support using that

evidence and using a gentler calmer tone

then maybe you would face-to-face will

help ensure that others can continue

that conversation and just avoid sarcasm

like sorry I can do it here on the

camera you see my face you share my tone

you know the body language perhaps

you've watched my other videos or you

have me as a student and you kind of

know my general demeanor in the online

environment it's way harder to read

sarcasm right you've probably gotten

mixed up in a text or conversation

digitally that was not sarcastic but was

interpreted as such so just don't use

sarcasm please tip number 2 follow

directions

it seems super straightforward and if

you watch my videos you know I say this

like all the time just follow the

directions I always encourage you to

print it out print out the discussion

board directions or copy/paste them into

another document or handwrite them with

your really pretty glitter pens whatever

you're doing to transfer the directions

to somewhere else and where they're

actually typed on the computer it's

gonna help you to make sure you're

hitting all of the points for my

discussion boards I have no more than

one a week in my classes however there

are a lot of moving parts they're often

required readings prep and questions

that students need to first respond to

in order to get the discussion

going so it's important to make sure

you're following each step to maximize

the points you're gonna get tip number

three is another duh it's avoid

procrastination I really encourage you

to look at the deadlines and try to

schedule your life your work your home

your other classes so that you can

finish the work for each class ahead of

the deadlines if you're just rushing to

finish it you're not gonna have time to

check your tone to proofread etc also

one of the things about online classes

that isn't as common when you turn

things into a physical class is we can

see the exact moment you've finished as

a teacher I see it I think about it so

if you're submitting something just

before the deadline I know you weren't

as involved in the rigorous conversation

in that discussion you weren't engaged

in going back and forth I guess

sometimes life means you scheduled out

that time just before the deadline and

that's when you're gonna do it that's

fine but do know we can see and by

getting involved in the discussion

earlier before the end you really are

contributing to good solid academic

discourse regardless of it's in person

or in the online forum that leads to my

fourth point which is to please remember

to discuss add something of substance

respond when students post to your

responses get in there get engaged

think about the physical classroom

environment if you've had a really solid

discussion whether it's with the teacher

at the front if it's in the midst of

lecture and something organic really

happens that everyone's enjoying talking

about or you've done a formal Socratic

seminar those conversations those

discussions in a classroom environment

that are really engaging that really

have people buying into them those moves

so much faster those are much more

enriching than people who are responding

with very rote or kind of fluff

responses yes I agree thank you for a

great pose what value is that that's not

real conversation but you might as well

just have like a sticker good job okay

my fifth tip may seem a little odd for a

discussion board but I highly recommend

you proofread by spending a little bit

of extra time at the very end you can go

through and make sure it doesn't sound

like a giant rant right this is how you

make sure you're not some

random reddit thread in your academic

discussion board if it's too long too

short if it's too personal or too vague

this is the opportunity to check

yourself perhaps consider composing in a

different place so maybe open a Google

Doc and put the directions in there and

then type your response there so you're

not tempted to immediately submit if

you're typing right in the submission

box and it'll give you a little extra

time to review check your tone follow

all the other tips that I've given and

then you can copy and piece of in before

you submit I want to add one more thing

before I sign off and that is to

consider being innovative if you have a

teacher who's fun or a subject that's

pretty open consider adding some really

fun graphics text links or a TED talk

anything relevant that might help

continue to engage your classmates as a

teacher in my English classes I really

like when students will add an

appropriate image or further information

then was just asked for on the

discussion prompt cuz then it keeps the

other students interested and it allows

the others to get some more information

than from just me now remember you're

not an expert so you're not trying to

teach anything I'm not telling you to be

the educator in these I am encouraging

you to discuss but if you can make it

playful we love that and if I love it

I'm always in a good mood when I'm

grading I did have a student in one of

my literature classes a few years ago

who was really into making memes for the

class in the discussion boards and the

students loved it she was really clever

I never offensive or sarcastic like

we've talked about in the earlier tips

but what she would do she would tie in

the characters for some of the stories

we were reading with the content with

the analysis we were doing and she came

up with really clever memes through the

semester I don't recommend doing this on

your first or second discussion post

make sure you feel out the class

environment understand your teacher

before you get aggressive in turning out

memes but it's okay to think a little

bit outside the box if the classroom

environment seems to lend itself to it

because that way you'll have more fun in

your discussions as will your teacher

all right so those are my five things I

want you to remember as you are working

on your discussion boards improving your

discussion board and netiquette in your

online classes be kind to yourself and

others not just in the discussion board

if you find this video helpful and want

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take care