Online Discussions and Net Etiquette
Course Requirements
Online discussions are
conducted in the chat room on the website Global Intercultural Connection. You
will be writing in real time to your other online classmates in another
country. Topics are based around the course content and readings. These
interactions are timed carefully to allow for the time difference between the
US and participating countries. The chat room password will be distributed via
e-mail from the professor before your actual chat date.
Some Sample Topics are Listed Below
“Families.” You and your
online colleagues will be discussing differences between family structures in
the U.S. and another culture participating in the chat. You may initiate any
subtopic under the heading of family – for example, gender roles, extended
family, treatment of elders, family sleeping arrangements, etc. The text
section on “Families” offers a good starting point for discussion ideas and
questions.
“Education.” You and your
online colleagues will be discussing the differences between education in the
U.S. and in the culture participating in the chat. Classroom topics covered,
learning styles, school calendars, school focus, uniforms, approaches, group
work versus individual work, etc. can be open subtopics in this discussion.
Respect Other People
Participants in this course
come from a wide range of cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. Some
students might be apprehensive the first time participating in an online
discussion. Encouragement and helpful advice are appreciated. We do value
freedom of speech in this course, but obscene language, harassment, unwanted
sexual advances, and other blatantly offensive behavior and language are not
tolerated. Those who engage in such behavior will quickly be reprimanded, and
if necessary, removed from the discussion.
Familiarize Yourself
Familiarize yourself with
the chat room functions. Note that each individual entering the chat room can
select a color to type in. This helps participants keep track of who is writing
so they can follow a train of thought. You may also type the name of the
student that you wish to speak to at the beginning of your entry. It is also
helpful to familiarize yourself with the participants by reading the
introductions and viewing the pictures under the student section during the
semesters that these are provided.
Chat Room Control
The Professor will be
“floating” between 5 chat rooms. Any student can begin the discussion by asking
a question related to the discussion topic. Comments and responses will go as
interest dictates. If you have a question or comment, please participate. You
will be graded not only for showing up, but for participating! When the
designated discussion time is up, the Professor will close the chat session.
You may politely tell everyone goodnight and leave the chat room. If you would
like to, you may continue to talk with other students who can and wish to stay
late.
Be Patient
Expect that there will be
some problems. That is why it is so important to familiarize yourself with the
Chat Room prior to actually having to perform.
Participate
Take advantage of the
opportunity to communicate, exchange ideas and learn from students across the
globe as well as your online classmates. This is what intercultural
communication is all about – building tolerance and respect for others and
strengthening the capacity of citizens to participate in a civil, global
society.
Additional Chat Room Times
You may arrange to meet your
student counterparts in the chat room any time other than the specified
discussion times. This chat room gives you the flexibility to talk in real time
to your colleagues and e-mail partner overseas.
English as A Second Language
We will be using English in
the chat rooms. Please remember that your counterparts must think, read, and
type in English versus their native language in order to participate in this
chat session. Be patient.
Time Difference Between US and Japan
US JAPAN
3 pm 7
am
4 pm 8
am
5 pm 9 am
6 pm 10
am
7 pm 11
am
8 pm 12
noon
9 pm 1
pm
10 pm 2
pm
11 pm 3
pm
12 midnight 4
pm
1 am 5
pm
2 am 6
pm
3 am 7
pm
4 am 8
pm
5 am 9
pm
6 am 10
pm
7 am 11
pm
8 am 12 midnight
9 am 1
am
10 am 2
am
11 am 3
am
12 noon 4
am
1 pm 5
am
2 pm 6
am
3 pm 7
am
Time Difference Between US and Belize
US Belize
3 pm 5
pm
4 pm 6
pm
5 pm 7 pm
6 pm 8
pm
7 pm 9
pm
8 pm 10
pm
9 pm 11
pm
10 pm 12
midnight
11 pm 1
am
12 midnight 2
am
1 am 3
am
2 am 4
am
3 am 5
am
4 am 6
am
5 am 7
am
6 am 8
am
7 am 9
am
8 am 10 am
9 am 11
am
10 am 12
Noon
11 am 1
pm
12 noon 2
pm
1 pm 3
pm
2 pm 4
pm
3 pm 5
pm
No Time Difference Between
US and Tijuana, Mexico