Being Respectful Online
Why Online Etiquette Matters
Online communication is different from face-to-face interaction, there are no facial expressions, body language, or tone of voice to help convey meaning. This makes it easy for messages to be misread or misunderstood.
Practising good online etiquette (often called netiquette) helps keep communication clear, professional, and respectful for everyone in your learning community.
VU Collaborate is a positive learning environment. Constructive feedback is encouraged, and inappropriate behaviour or language will result in penalties.
On this page:
Key Principles
- Give constructive feedback: constructive feedback is about helping to improve, not criticising for its own sake. Focus on ideas and actions, not individuals.
- Acknowledge contributions: recognise the effort your fellow students put in. A word of encouragement goes a long way.
- Communicate carefully and respectfully: read messages thoroughly before responding, and always use polite, considerate language.
- Ask questions: questions benefit the whole class, just keep them clear and respectful.
- Be culturally aware: be mindful of how culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can impact the way people communicate.
- Protect your online reputation: how you behave online reflects on you. Good netiquette helps you build positive, lasting relationships in your academic community.
Zoom Guidelines
Victoria University has adopted the following guidelines for all students participating in Zoom classes:
- Use your real name. Your display name should match the name you enrolled with.
- Show your face on camera. Keep your webcam on and your face clearly visible throughout the class, unless your teacher advises otherwise.
- No webcam? Use a profile photo. If you're unable to use your webcam, set your Zoom profile picture to a recent, clear photo similar to a student ID or passport photo.
- Keep class links and passwords private. Do not share Zoom meeting links or passwords with anyone outside the class.
- Follow the principles above. Apply the Key Principles of Netiquette to your behaviour, communication, and dress during Zoom sessions.
Watch the video below for more information.
Youth Central
Youth Central is a website that has contained useful information about Web and Social Safety which includes a full section on How to behave when you're online.
The Web and Social Safety section covers topics including:
- Cyber Safety
- Cyber Bullying
- It's There For Life
- The Web Doesn't Forget
- Think Before You Post
- Never Send Private Photos
- Don't Argue in Cyber Space
- Friends: Quality v's Quantity
- Online Shopping
- Spam and Scams
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