Introduction

On this page, you will learn how to communicate with other students and Professors using an appropriate online language called Netiquette.

General Guidelines

Please remember to follow these rules when using any type of communication:

• Use a greeting/salutation when writing in an educational setting. Beginning with "Good morning", "Good Afternoon", "Hello" or "How are you?"

• and ending with "Sincerely" "Best regards" or "Kind regards"

• Take advantage of this opportunity to communicate in complete sentences.

• Do not use shortcuts, LMAO, LOL. It is important you communicate clearly, concisely and academically to relay your message.

• Think about the tone of your message and how you would like to convey your thoughts.

• Do not "USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IN YOUR MESSAGE". This is considered yelling. 

• Feedback to others can be best heard and most helpful when it is: constructive, specific, measurable or evidence-based, sensitive, and balanced.

• If you notice you are starting to feel emotions about your conversation, take a break from the conversation or call them.   

• Having the ability to be online anytime and anywhere doesn't mean all people are available anytime. 

• Graduate level discussion posts should generally be academic in nature: include citations and evidence, be specific and elaborate with links whenever possible.

• Be respectful of normal business hours and plan ahead of time so you receive the proper help you need. 

• Utilize the Code of Ethics in your communication at all times. It reminds of the social work values our mission as a profession. 

Resources

Here are a number of Netiquette resources that go deeper into the topic. Which is your favorite? 

• 10 Netiquette Guidelines Online Students Need to Know

• 15 Rules of Netiquette for Online Discussion Boards [INFOGRAPHIC]

• Netiquette Guide for Online Courses [Downloadable Guide]

The video below nicely summarizes the netiquette information as well. (Disregard the tools used in the video, as it is not done in Blackboard. 

Just pay attention to the message about netiquette do's and don'ts.)

Responsible Use of AI in Coursework

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and others are becoming part of the academic landscape. At UMB, we value innovation and learning, but also privacy, authenticity, and academic integrity. That’s why each instructor sets their own policy on AI use, typically found in the course syllabus.

General AI Netiquette

🚫 Do Not Put Another Student’s Work Into an AI Tool

Even if your goal is to get ideas or feedback, you may never copy another student’s discussion post, assignment, or paper into an AI tool. This is considered a serious breach of academic integrity and privacy.

Why?

• AI platforms may store the content you input, even if they say they "don’t remember" you.

• That content could be accessed by others or used in training data.

• Sharing another student’s work without consent is unethical and may result in academic misconduct.

 What to Do Instead.

• Use your own writing when experimenting with AI tools.

• Reach out to your instructor if you're unsure what’s allowed or need help with an assignment.

• Focus on developing your voice and understanding—your original thinking is the most valuable part of your education.

Page Summary

Always start with a friendly greeting like "Good morning" or "Hello" and wrap it up with "Sincerely" or "Best regards." Write in full sentences, avoid shortcuts like LMAO or LOL, and keep it academic. Mind your tone, no yelling in all caps! When giving feedback, be constructive, specific, and considerate. If things get emotional, take a breather or pick up the phone. Remember, not everyone's online 24/7, so plan ahead. For grad-level discussions, keep it scholarly with citations and evidence. Respect normal business hours and be ethical in all your interactions. 

✅ Exercise 6

1. When you need to write an email to your instructor, how might you start off the conversation?

2. If you are upset and use all caps, what does that mean?

After answering the questions, please go to Step 7. 

This page was last edited 7/1/2025.