MTC Distance Learning Online Orientation

Communication

A significant difference between the online classroom and the traditional classroom environment is that in the online classroom most communication takes place through writing. What does this mean to you, the online student?

This shift in classroom communication can have many benefits: the written communications you share with your classmates and instructor can actually lead to better relationships and higher quality learning. Written communications can enable you to get to know your instructor and classmates on a deep, rather than just a superficial, level. Additionally, communicating through the written word enables you to think through your ideas thoroughly before presenting them. You have the opportunity to not only revisit your ideas and modify them, but also to spend the time to make sure your communications express exactly what you want to say.

Some writing skill is required to take advantage of these benefits. You must feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing. If your writing abilities are limited, you may need to take some additional writing classes before or as part of your online learning experience.

It will also be helpful for you to be familiar with the various online communications tools: chat, the bulletin board, and email. Additionally, there are rules that govern online communication called Netiquette, and it will be helpful for you to learn about them.

Bulletin Board/Discussion Board
Many Online courses utilize a bulletin board/discussion. Bulletin boards/discussion boards are another form of group communication, but they allow you to participate when it is convenient for you rather than at a scheduled time. WebCT is a course management system, and WebCT bulletin boards/discussion boards are a tool that we use. The WebCT bulletin board/discussion board is a text-based communications system that enables students and instructors to ´post´, and reply to, messages.

The bulletin board/discussion board groups together messages that relate to the same topic in a ´threaded discussion´. For example, if an instructor posts a question, then each student's individual reply is grouped with the original note.

Everyone's response is displayed for everyone else to see. Perhaps you are interested in a response written by one of your classmates. You can post a message that relates to what that student has written and in that way can engage in a dialogue. And don't be surprised if you discover responses to what you've written from several of your classmates!

Chats, bulletin boards/discussion boards and email make online classes a truly interactive way to learn - often more interactive than participating in a traditional class.

Email
Unlike chat sessions and bulletin boards/discussion boards, email is normally used to communicate with individuals rather than groups. Email is a great way to communicate at times that are convenient both for you and the person to whom you're writing. It is almost a certainty that you will be using email to communicate with your instructor and classmates. Email does have its limitations. It takes some savvy to use it well.

Here are some things to keep in mind about email.

Double check to whom you're sending email. It can be embarrassing when an email that you meant for one person ends up being read by others. It goes without saying that you will want to avoid this mistake.
Using all capital letters in email is equivalent to shouting. Avoid it whenever possible.
Make sure that you use a meaningful subject line so that your readers will have a clear idea of what your message contains.
Don´t forward others´ messages without asking first. While you should always write your email messages assuming others whom you don't know may see them, it is considered very rude to forward someone else's message without asking their permission.
Recognize that misunderstandings are more common with email than other communication methods.
Email is best for the dissemination of facts. When you're dealing with an emotionally charged area, you may want to use the phone instead.

Chat Sessions
Some classes will take advantage of a form of online communication called chat sessions. You will be given complete instructions on what to do if your class will be participating in chats.

A chat session is like a classroom discussion because the instructor and students are all participating at the same time. But unlike a classroom discussion, you are all working in separate locations from your own computers.

As you can imagine, this can sometimes be a little confusing. You will need to ´think on your feet´ (or fingers) and type quickly to express your thoughts as you're thinking them. Chats can also be hard to follow. Since each contribution displays when its writer finishes typing, it is easy for conversations to be out of order. Experienced instructors find ways to remedy this: for example, your instructor might ask students to indicate when they have something to say and then call on them to ´speak´ (type) so the conversation can be more easily followed.

The advantage of chats is that they allow people in separate locations to ´talk´ to one another in real time.

Netiquette
There are special rules of personal conduct that apply to all online communications. Here is a sampling of some of them.

In general, email and bulletin board messages should be short and to the point (although there are exceptions to this rule, such as assignments that are submitted by email or bulletin board/discussion board. But generally you'll be submitting assignments as file attachments).
Make sure to have a meaningful subject line for your email and message board contributions so others will know what to expect.
Be polite and respectful. It can be tempting to let yourself go in an environment that feels anonymous, but remember that there are real people reading your messages. Good online manners are vital to a productive and supportive online learning environment.
Be tolerant of views expressed by others. Your online classroom may well be bringing you together with people from all over the world. Keep in mind that you probably have something to gain from exposure to views and backgrounds different than your own.
When reacting to someone else's message, address the ideas, not the person. Again, remember that there are real people on the other end of the modem.
Be careful when using sarcasm and humor, and don't include any obscenities in your messages. Without face-to-face communications, people may take your humor personally, and you never know who may be offended by expressions that are commonplace to you.
Don't send commercial advertisements or electronically forward "chain mail" to your classmates.
Think carefully about what you write about others. Always assume that your electronic messages will be forwarded. Don't write anything that you don't want broadcast to a huge group of people.