Module 3: The Importance of Netiquette!

THE IMPORTANCE OF NETIQUETTE

With the increased use of Internet and email in this digital age, online etiquette known as netiquette, is very important to your success not only in college but in your career and throughout your life. You always want to come across as professional and mature when communicating online. Follow these tips:

• Always make sure your emails are clear in their objective – do not allow any room for miscommunication or misinterpretation. I have had numerous issues with miscommunication online that resulted in confusion and wasted time for all parties involved because an email was not clear to understand.
• Never use sarcasm or humor that could be taken in a harmful or offensive way. Remember, there are no verbal cues when communicating online!
• Also avoid using ALL CAPS as this can be taken as you YELLING or RAISING YOUR VOICE to someone online.

These tips will not only help you in college, but will help your future employers know you are mature and can handle the professional world.

HOW TO EMAIL YOUR PROFESSOR

One of the trickiest emails to send is to your professor. There are many benefits to emailing them: asking questions about an assignment, being able to think through your questions or concerns without the intimidating factor of talking face to face, building a relationship with them, etc. However, if you do not handle your emails professionally and do not use netiquette, you will do more harm than good. When you email your professor, imagine you are emailing a CEO of a large company and use the terminology and diction you would use in that email in the one to your professor. The more mature you sound, the more serious they will think about your question, request, concern, etc. Some tips:

• Always format your emails like a letter and use opening and closing responses, state your name, context around your question/concern and then ask your question.
• Also, I have learned from personal experience that it helps to end your email with “thank you for your time” or something similar to show your respect for their time.

Another important factor to think about when emailing your professor is this relationship does not only exist online – you meet with this person face to face. Not only does your online reputation rely on your netiquette here, it also impacts your personal reputation.

RSS FEEDS & BLOGGING

Before this module, I knew very little about RSS feeds and blogging. I have heard these terms, but it was fascinating to learn the use for RSS feeds. RSS feeds are a great timesaver! You can subscribe to your favorite websites and read all new updates in one place. Blogging is another useful tool to learn and interact with other people online. It opens up a new way to think about learning in the digital age and gives you a place to store your thoughts and ideas, like a personal diary or library.