Communication
Some sites use Communication Tools, such as:
- Discussion boards
- Chat Rooms
If your unit of study website uses any of these tools, your lecturer might expect you to use the tool(s) to:
- share your thoughts on the week's work.
- participate in group discussions on a particular topic.
- communicate with other members of a project team.
- notify the lecturer of any problems you might be having, or if you need administrative help (e.g. with enrolment problems).
- get to know your classmates.
Communication tools on your unit of study My eLearning site will usually indicate that you should check into the site regularly, even if only to keep up-to-date with the discussion, or to read any messages that may be directed to you.
You might want to ask you lecturer:
- When and how often will I be expected to contribute? (especially with chat rooms and discussion boards)
- What is the purpose of this communication tool?
- What can I hope to get out of using it?
- Will I be assessed on my contribution, and if so, how?
It is important to realise that chat rooms and the other communication tools in your site are part of your unit of study. This means that there are standards of appropriate conduct online, just as there are in a tutorial or laboratory situation. Online, we call this netiquette.
Like any sort of communication, online communication relies on participants speaking a similar language and showing each other a similar level of respect. Your lecturer may or may not appreciate conversations becoming informal or going off-topic, and may want you to practise using a particular set of concepts or type of debate. It depends on the lecturer and on the subject. If you're unsure, it's always best to ask.
Students are expected to show each mutual respect at all times. The university has a policy for dealing with students who engage in defamatory or offensive behaviour.
