Guidelines for Online Dialogue
Due to the nature and dynamics of an online learning environment, participants and moderators / instructors must pay attention to the possible perceptions of their entries in online communication. Since these entires are typically in written form, they can easily, albeit unintentionally, offend or insult others, or, less harmfully, appear as insensitive or boorish. To eliminate the possibility of this happening, consider the following guidelines when participating in or moderating online discussions.
- Speak personally. Own your own feelings, thoughts, and judgments.
- Be specific.
- Don’t try to convert others. Respect individual differences. Encourage diversity.
- Listen without resistance or judgment. Acknowledge and affirm each speaker.
- Speak only when moved to do so.
- Suspend assumptions and certainties.
- Slow down the inquiry.
- Speak to the center (rather than to one another).
- Talk in sequence (no interrupting).
Question for Reflection: Are there any additional guidelines that you would use in your own classroom?