Netiquette and Acceptable Use Policy
Our courses, groups and other services often use social and content creation technologies to help people to connect, share and support each other. We want everyone to feel welcome and safe when using these features, so it’s important that all service users promote a friendly and professional internet etiquette, or “netiquette”, and abide by a reasonable set of rules and guidelines. This Netiquette and Acceptable Use Policy applies to all users of Lexedio services and adherence is a requirement of our Course Terms and Conditions.
Netiquette
1. Respect others
Be polite and respectful when engaging with other people in the course or group, even if you don’t agree with their views. Try to understand their position before challenging them – this may be a learning opportunity in itself.
Try not to be too informal when addressing people for the first time. If another person asks to be referred to by a specific name or gender pronoun, please respect and honour their request.
Make an effort to acknowledge the contributions of others before putting your own perspective forward.
2. Stay on point
Please abide by the instructions or guidance provided within discussion boards, such as scope of topic or length of post.
Make questions clear and ensure that you have provided all necessary information. Don’t ask questions that could easily be answered by an online search or by reading documentation provided. In a discussion board, first make sure that the question hasn’t been asked before; if it has, make sure that this is acknowledged.
3. Remember reality
If you wouldn’t say something to someone face-to-face, then it is probably best not to post it.
The public-private boundaries of online communication are easily crossed. If you are not happy for something to be passed on or shared, then you should probably not post it.
If you are writing a post while upset or angry, make a note or save a draft of your thoughts before posting. Allow some time to pass (overnight perhaps) before returning to review the post. You may decide to amend or withdraw the post after calmer consideration.
4. Use plain English
Write clearly and succinctly. Avoid using jargon or slang as this may not be understood by some other students.
Typos and odd mistakes are generally acceptable in online chats when typing quickly, but a more formal post should be checked for spelling and grammar.
5. Express humour and emotion with care
Avoid using sarcasm and jokes unless you know the recipient very well. The lack of facial clues or body language could be misinterpreted and may be particularly challenging for people with conditions such as autism. While emoticons can be helpful, remember that not everyone understands their meaning and they can sometimes be interpreted differently by different groups and cultures.
Acceptable use policy
- sharing ideas, feedback, information, and links to useful articles and resources that are relevant to the interests of our professional community;
- communicating with Lexedio staff, guest contributors, and other course/group members;
- creating and sharing content in relation to professional development objectives e.g. portfolio development, blog posts, or requesting feedback on project work.
- in a manner that breaches local, national or international laws or regulations;
- in any way that is is unlawful or fraudulent, promotes or facilitates unlawful or fraudulent behaviour;
- in any way that places a child or vulnerable person at risk;
- to send, receive, share or link to inappropriate content or material, which we define as:
- defamatory, obscene, offensive, hateful, inflammatory, or sexually explicit;
- promoting violence, illegal activity, or discrimination;
- likely to upset, embarrass, threaten, alarm or annoy others; or
- misrepresent Lexedio or its clients/customers, or infringe our/their rights, including copyright.
- to sell, advertise or promote external products or services; or
- to adversely affect the operational functions of any computer software or hardware, e.g. by uploading or linking to material containing viruses or spyware.
