Requirements |
Sharing the Road
4.1 Netiquette
Netiquette is Internet etiquette, the DOs and DON’Ts of online relationships. Netiquette covers both common courtesy online and the informal "rules of the road" of the Internet.
The following sources contributed to the list of DOs and DON’Ts. For more detailed information, click on the appropriate links below.
The Core Rules of Netiquette by Virginia Shea
Roadmap96: Netiquette by Bob Crispen
DO remember that there are living, breathing human beings at the keyboard and monitor screen.
DO NOT type in all caps; it may be interpreted as SCREAMING instead of talking.
DO have a subject heading which reflects the content of the message.
DO include a salutation and signature with each message.
DO keep messages short and to the point.
DO spell check your e-mail and proofread for errors.
DO capitalize the beginning of your sentences and use appropriate punctuation. Separate ideas into paragraphs if necessary.
DO be careful when using humor. This is especially true of sarcasm. Without the benefit of face‑to‑face communication, your intent may be misconstrued, and may even come across as criticism or maliciousness. Be aware that the Internet is an international community, and your sense of humor is probably different from others.
DO be careful with slang or local acronyms.
DO NOT forward hoaxes. (Visit the US Department of Energy’s Computer Incident Advisory Capability Hoaxbusters or Symantec’s Security Responses to Hoaxes page.)
DO NOT change the wording if you are forwarding or re-posting a message you've received.
DO NOT put in a mail message anything you would not put on a postcard.
DO offer a “thank you” when requesting/receiving assistance to an email inquiry.
DO list all of the recipients email addresses in the BCC field. (Blind Carbon Copy -- from the former days when typewriters used carbon paper to create identical copies of a document when it was being typed) when sending a group of people the very same message.
DO NOT give out personal contact information of others without their specific permission to do so.
DO NOT send large attachments to others. Always minimize, compress, or "zip" large files before sending. Even if sending business files, always compress and ask permission first!
DO read both mailing lists and newsgroups for a while before you post anything. (This is known as lurking.) Waiting helps you to get an understanding of the culture of the group.
DO read the FAQ section before asking questions.
DO consider that a large audience will see your posts. That may include your present or your next boss. Take care in what you write. Remember too, that mailing lists and Newsgroups are frequently archived, and that your words may be stored for a very long time in a place to which many people have access.
DO keep messages short and to the point.
DO NOT give out personal contact information of others without their specific permission to do so.
4.1.3 Flaming
DO NOT send heated messages (known as "flames") even if you are provoked. On the other hand, you shouldn't be surprised if you get flamed and it's prudent not to respond to flames.
DO keep the discussion focused on issues rather than the personalities involved if you are caught in an argument.
4.1.4 Spamming
DO NOT send unsolicited mail asking for information to people whose names you might have seen on mailing lists.
DO NOT send large amounts of unsolicited information to people.
DO NOT forward hoaxes. (Visit the US Department of Energy’s Computer Incident Advisory Capability Hoaxbusters or Symantec’s Security Responses to Hoaxes page.)
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4.2 Ethics
In essence, online ethics involve issues of social responsibility associated with using computer technology. As personal as how to conduct yourself when using someone else's computer to more public matters like file sharing and illegal downloads, online ethics concern copyright and confidentiality issues.
See the Ten Commandments for Computer Ethics by Dr. Ramon Barquin and Computer Ethics by Think Quest.
4.2.1 Confidentiality
When considering the NASW Code of Ethics, distance education students need to keep in mind such an issue as confidentiality (of public and private communications as well as electronic records).
Portions of course discussions are open for all registered students to view. However, postings, replies, and comments are confidential to those authorized to view the course. If referring to clients or case studies, identifying information should be as protected as if students were onsite—if not more so since the potential for eavesdropping is greater online. Moreover, discussion of sensitive information should not take place unless privacy is secure; therefore, contents of e-mails should be scrutinized to protect confidential issues. Keep the subject matter general. Students should use the same consideration as you would for faxes or telephone conversations.
Furthermore, distance education students may want to keep a file copy of electronic communications in case of need for follow up, documentation, or reference. Yet, if student records include information regarding clients, password-protected directories are advisable. There are encryption programs available for students wanting even greater protection. In summary, protecting electronic records requires reasonable efforts to ensure confidentiality.
On a more general note, some Internet sites you visit may use something called cookies. (The name derives from UNIX terminology referring to the use of small bits of information traveling on a network.) A cookie is a small piece of data that a web site collects about you when you visit. The information is then stored on your computer. The data varies with the web site. For example, a commercial web site may collect demographics from information you may enter on a form (i.e., sex, age, and other advertising information). Other sites may collect identifying information to recognize you and customize the page appearance. Some pages use cookies so you do not have to re-enter such things as a password again (such as when you are searching around in a database). However, a cookie cannot be used to get data from your hard drive, get your email address, or steal sensitive information about you. While most cookies can be an innocent feature of using the Internet, be sure to protect your privacy and data. (See CookieCentral, MicroSoft, and HowStuffWorks for more information.)
While cookies are not executable code, a more villainous problem is the potential virus. (Cookies cannot deliver viruses.) Like the name implies, computer viruses pass/replicate information from one computer to another. Using some program or document, a computer virus infects a computer and sets in motion a series of commands that usually have a detrimental effect. The most common sources of computer viruses are e-mail and downloaded programs from the Internet. Using anti-virus programs regularly adds a measure of protection. (See Norton/Symantec for more information.) Viruses are a particularly important topic when considering communication and file exchange activities during online courses. For your own protection and as a courtesy to others, use virus protection and check your own files and those who intend to send to others.
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4.2.2 Copyright Laws
While the Internet is “free” and not owned by anyone in particular, legal issues still exist concerning electronic information. Copyright material may not be passed along without permission. For example, courses may make journal articles, videos, or other materials available to students in the process of facilitating learning. However, copyright materials are secure in the WebCT ä site; backup course sites will not have access to copyright materials. The Social Work Department obtains permission to use intellectual property; students should do likewise. (For further explanation of copyright laws within distance education, please see the University of Texas reference.)
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4.3 Citation
Exercising awareness and caution while using online sources, students must provide proper citation. Not only as a means to avoid plagiarism, citation allows others to locate the references as efficiently as possible.
As a matter of professional development and scientific inquiry, distance education students need to be attentive to the guidelines of the APA style. Academic performance revolves around balancing the presentation of your own ideas and knowledge attainment with that of supporting documentation from other sources. Some assignments request demonstration of your own understanding or solution. However, upper-division course assignments generally require gathering, evaluating, and integrating information or ideas from others. It is generally understood in academia that when quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing students must make the proper acknowledgement. Such citation method establishes the findings and results of other scientific inquiries. However, if an author has a unique or distinct interpretation or analysis of a concept or theory, the academic community refers to this as intellectual property. Therefore, when students use information or ideas not originating with the student, citation is an obligation—even if students do not use exact words. Furthermore, information or ideas not common knowledge or not available in a standard reference work need citation as well. Finally, if you “borrow” information or ideas from others but it could appear as your own if you didn’t cite, you should make the reference and give the author credit.
Be diligent enough with your assignments to proudly claim your ideas; grant the same honor to other authors.
4.3.1 APA Style
Social work uses the editorial style specified in The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). The manual establishes the rules and standards for MSCD Social Work Department students to use in the presentation of written performance. Since most distance education assignments rely on written communication, adherence to the APA style throughout the curriculum is crucial. For more specific information, consult the references below. Note: while some web sites or printed materials may offer insight relating to APA style, be sure to consult The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (currently the 5 th edition) for the uniform standards.
Online Resources for APA:
Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL): As comprehensive as the manual
RIT Libraries: An excellent reference with in-text examples and sample references
Writer’s Workshop: Comprehensive list of format possibilities
4.3.2 Err on the Side of Caution
If you are in doubt whether to cite or not, it's better to err by over-citing than by under-citing your sources. Such an underscoring is not an encouragement to over-cite as a reflex however. You do not want a citation for every sentence—as insurance. Your voice needs to be heard in the assignment.
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4.4 Evaluating Reliable and Legitimate Sources
The vast potential of the Internet makes new kinds of information sharing possible. Some time-sensitive information can be published faster and less expensively than putting into print through books or periodicals—and then having to ship and put on the library shelf. There are Internet sources rich in content for research purposes. For example, data from the Census Bureau, documents from legislative proceedings, and transcripts from recent events provide users with instant access to information.
However, students need to evaluate pages for their relevance, authority, and accuracy; anyone can publish a web site and attract visitors. Quality does matter. Students need to be able to discern between legitimate and inappropriate, outdated sources. Utilizing the Internet should enhance the educational process not divert from it.
Professional journals are first in line in terms of credibility and quality of source. Metro State registered distance education students have access to online access to the Auraria Library. However, not all professional journals make every article available through electronic delivery.
There are electronic journals with no corresponding traditional print version. Some e-journals are available at no cost and some require minimal payment. Many mainstream newspapers and magazines will also place articles and other content online. Agencies and organizations will publish information relating to certain subject matter through the use of web pages, list serves, and/or newsgroups.
Refer to the following sources to develop an ability to evaluate online information. (In order alphabetically.)
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