Module 4: Internet communication

Netiquette

M4 Task 1 - Netiquette guide

Privacy on the Internet

Netiquette is etiquette as it applies to the Internet. You can check your knowledge of netiquette by doing the following task.

M4 Task 1 - Netiquette guide

One of the most respected writers on netiquette is Virginia Shea. An online version of her book, Netiquette, is available. It provides much more detail than you need at this stage, but you might want to use it for reference later.

For the moment, have a look at a shorter version by visiting Netiquette (http://www.albion.com/netiquette/) and selecting The Core Rules of Netiquette from the sidebar.

Test your existing knowledge of the language and conventions associated with netiquette by selecting Netiquette Quiz from the sidebar.

Another site called Online Netiquette.com (http://www.onlinenetiquette.com) has Netiquette 101 with ten courtesies to assist in socially acceptable online communication.

Communication via the Internet has not only produced its own rules, but users are also creating and using a new language. Your students are probably familiar with many of the frequently used acronyms, terms, symbols and emoticons.

Take a look at the lists of acronyms and emoticons at Dr Internut's Internet Resource Clinic (http://www.onlinenetiquette.com/internet_101.html).

Use the above sources as the basis for creating some catchy slogans you could use on a poster to guide students about netiquette, such as 'Lurk before you leap' and 'Only hotheads start flames'. Include any local issues you think might be important.

Privacy on the Internet

Privacy is a big issue for many people communicating via the Internet. If you want to investigate the issue, visit the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner website (http://www.privacy.gov.au). Use the menu bar near the top of the page. Select IT and Internet Issues and read Protecting Your Privacy on the Internet and On-line Privacy Tools.

The civil liberties group, Electronic Frontiers Australia, maintains a site that contains links to current articles and information about Privacy and Surveillance (http://www.efa.org.au/Issues/Privacy/).

Your school and jurisdiction will most likely have a privacy policy. Visit the policies section of the ACT Department of Education and Training (http://www.decs.act.gov.au/policies/policies.htm) site and click on Copyright Internet Guidelines for ACT Government Schools to find some information on privacy issues and issues for email use.

You will notice that many websites have a privacy statement outlining their collection and use of personal information.


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