This weeks readings have been very basic, and I thought I understood all the acronyms that were web related, but I found myself rereading the material several times. I was lost; NET, HTTP, WAN, LAN, TCP/IP, WISP,ISP, RPG, VR and GIF are all examples of how the technical community closes itself off from the regular users of the Internet. Where is the plain English version of the Internet community. I really believe when reading these acronyms the novice reader panics and is ostracized from this community. I am reminded of the movie The Internship, where two novice net business men are thrown into the Google community. They learned the lingo and survived, but that's Hollywood. RL, it is important to new users that are entering Internet world that these unique and strange acronyms are spelled out, described and the new user is incorporated into the community.
This brings me to how users of the Internet, the same users who see these tech acronyms and panic, overlook or are never taught the rules for Internet etiquette. Example a new Girl Scout Leader sends an email to her new parents. In all bold caps she lets them know the dues are due and don't be late to the Father Daughter Dance. Innocuous when you read it like this, but when you see YOUR DUES ARE DUE MONDAY - DON'T BE LATE TO THE FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE your hackles rise and immediately there are problems. So many adults and teens assume everyone knows all caps YELLS, and isn't appropriate for on-line discussions, but many new users are not aware of the social expectations of communication on the Internet.
Bottom Line: When working with adults in a volunteer organization it is critical to oversea their initial foray into the groups blogs, Web Page posts, and Facebook discussions. The Netiquette rules found in Teachers Discovering Computers (Gunter & Gunter, 2014) has a very good list of "Golden Rules" for the novice Internet user to abide by. In 2012 Kim Tranter of ULearnSociaMedia listed 10 Netiquette rules that include no gossiping and no spamming, and Barbara Stephens in her 2011 blog Netiquette Means Commenting Responsibly gives great advice on how to react to improper discussions. Its amazing how important it is for a volunteer organization to hold fast to these rules as many volunteers hold other jobs like Pampered Chef, Mary Kay and want everyone to come to their party. Well you get the picture.
As we move into a smaller world it is very important to remember what is welcome and enjoyed by Americans can be misconstrued and insulting in another country. So as you blog, Facebook or text with students, adult volunteers or family review the golden rules, and take a step back and review your message before sending. Take a moment and review your material and make sure it stands up to your organizations Netiquette standards.
This brings me to how users of the Internet, the same users who see these tech acronyms and panic, overlook or are never taught the rules for Internet etiquette. Example a new Girl Scout Leader sends an email to her new parents. In all bold caps she lets them know the dues are due and don't be late to the Father Daughter Dance. Innocuous when you read it like this, but when you see YOUR DUES ARE DUE MONDAY - DON'T BE LATE TO THE FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE your hackles rise and immediately there are problems. So many adults and teens assume everyone knows all caps YELLS, and isn't appropriate for on-line discussions, but many new users are not aware of the social expectations of communication on the Internet.
Bottom Line: When working with adults in a volunteer organization it is critical to oversea their initial foray into the groups blogs, Web Page posts, and Facebook discussions. The Netiquette rules found in Teachers Discovering Computers (Gunter & Gunter, 2014) has a very good list of "Golden Rules" for the novice Internet user to abide by. In 2012 Kim Tranter of ULearnSociaMedia listed 10 Netiquette rules that include no gossiping and no spamming, and Barbara Stephens in her 2011 blog Netiquette Means Commenting Responsibly gives great advice on how to react to improper discussions. Its amazing how important it is for a volunteer organization to hold fast to these rules as many volunteers hold other jobs like Pampered Chef, Mary Kay and want everyone to come to their party. Well you get the picture.
As we move into a smaller world it is very important to remember what is welcome and enjoyed by Americans can be misconstrued and insulting in another country. So as you blog, Facebook or text with students, adult volunteers or family review the golden rules, and take a step back and review your message before sending. Take a moment and review your material and make sure it stands up to your organizations Netiquette standards.