Email Protocols

1. Check your email at least three times a week (daily is highly recommended)!
2. Use email to send general questions about the course to the instructor only after you have posted the question to your group, and then in the HELP conference and waited at least 24 hours for a response.
3. Always use email to send personal information or concerns about grades to the instructor. NEVER post any confidential information in the Conferences.
4. When sending email to one of the instructors, ALWAYS indicate the proper information in the Subject line of the message.
5. Be courteous and considerate of others.
6. Be clear in your communications. Online communication lacks nonverbal cues.

• In every email message you send during this course be sure to do the following: Sign your messages with your first and last name. This is important, to make sure credit can be given!
• Do not use all caps, it is hard to read and is considered "shouting."
• Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Break up large blocks of text into paragraphs.
• If sending a word processing attachment, only the following formats will be accepted: Microsoft Word (Windows or Mac), Microsoft Works (Windows or Mac), or ClarisWorks (Mac).
• It is essential to scan any attachments, files or diskettes, for viruses prior to sending them to the instructor (for everyone's safety).
• It is imperative that your first and last name and the name of the Activity be posted on ALL documents sent to the instructor.

Conference Protocols

1. Follow the same rules of Netiquette for email.
2. Be clear in your communications. Online communication lacks the nonverbal cues.
3. If you want to send a personal message to the instructor, use email only, avoid using Conferences.
4. Use the appropriate Conferences for each activity.
5. Use the following procedures when composing a Conference:

• Use descriptive Subject headings.
• Do not use all caps, it is hard to read and is considered "shouting."
• Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Break up large blocks of text into paragraphs.
• Avoid 'I agree' type posts.
• Sign ALL your messages. Make sure your first and last name appears when posting to a Conference.

This course was developed in partnership between the Pinellas School
District and the Florida Center for Instructional Technology at USF.