Netiquette Presented by Patti Henderson Media Specialist Sanford Middle School Today, I have been asked to introduce you to the new Lee County Internet and Technology Acceptable Use Policy.

What is netiquette? Netiquette, or net etiquette, refers to etiquette (manners) on the Internet. Good netiquette involves respecting others' privacy and not doing anything online that will annoy, frustrate, or anger, other people. Email is one area where good netiquette is highly stressed. http://www.techterms.com/definition/netiquette

Courtesy Before sending ask yourself, “would I say this face- to- face”? Don’t send or reply in anger Using all upper case letters is like SHOUTING Using red text indicates anger If you are asking for something from someone, say “please”. If someone does something for you, it never hurts to say “thank you” Delay sending or replying to messages until you can calmly review what you have written (save to draft) (maybe use upper case on one or two words)

Common Sense Email Rules KISS (keep it short and sweet) Use blank lines between paragraphs Use bullet lists when appropriate Use mixed upper and lower-case letters Do not email personal or sensitive information Always sign your name, if you are emailing a teacher include your class period Keep it Short and Sweet

More Common Sense Don’t overuse “reply to all” Use correct grammar and spelling (not text spelling) Do not forward emails without the sender’s permission Don’t overuse “reply to all” Forwarding chain letters is against our technology policy Don’t expect a reply right away email is not meant to be formal, but people will make judgments about you based on your message Experts say that for every grammar mistake inan email, there’s an average of three spelling mistakes. While the odd spelling mistake is overlooked, when your readers have to break communication to decipher a word or a message, at best, you will look sloppy, if not illiterate. At worst, they may stop reading.” (see 10 best rules 101) Think about the consequences of forwarding messages before you do it- NEVER send or forward emails with offensive, racist or obsene remarks Reply to all (Shirt size) Email can be delivered quickly, but your recipient may not read it right away

Things to Remember If a complaint is filed by a student, parent, or teacher, your emails will be used by school or county administrators while investigating the complaint. Email can be subpoenaed by law enforcement Deleted emails are never really gone – just eliminated from your ability to view them “Don’t put it in an email if you would be embarrassed by your message being read out loud to your mother in a courtroom”

The information provided was obtained from the following sources http://www.lee.k12.al.us/Default.asp?PN=Do cumentUploads&L=1&DivisionID=2668&LMI D=100648&ToggleSideNav www.monet.k12.ca.us/drivers_lic/Student%20E mail%20Etiquette.pdf http://michaelhyatt.com/e-mail-etiquette- 101.html http://ezinearticles.com/?Netiquette-Rules--- 10-Best-Rules-for-Email- Etiquette&id=785177