You will usually communicate with your lecturer and other students through email or discussion board. However, you may also be expected to participate in forums as part of your course requirements. This typically involves some kind of reflection or discussion about a given topic.
Most classes have informal forums, discussion boards or groups in Stream for asking questions or sharing thoughts, such as Academic Q+A or course-specific discussion forums.
Academic Q+A (login required)
Discussions usually take place in a chat room – you must be online and ready to communicate with other students at a time set by the lecturer. Chats are live, other students can respond to your messages in real time and you can respond to theirs.
Forums
Sharing personal information
In forum posts, it is okay to use first and second person pronouns when talking about yourself and your experiences. However, exercise caution with how you interact with others and what information you share. Do not:
- share personal contact information such as your address or contact details
- disclose personal details unrelated to the course or academic matters
- reply to other student's posts you find concerning or triggering.
Academic forums are not an appropriate space to disclose personal history, such as trauma or adverse events, which can be uncomfortable or even triggering for other students.
If you're concerned, triggered or uncomfortable with course content or what others have shared, contact the forum host or your course coordinator, lecturer, tutor or student health.
Readability
Readability
Readability describes the level of effort needed to read and understand a text. Something is ‘readable’ if the content can be understood by most people in most situations. This includes people of all levels of education, backgrounds and abilities, reading in situations where they might be:
- stressed or anxious
- short of time
- using low-resolution devices
- on patchy internet connections
- working in a second or third language.
Remember that you are talking to real people who may be experiencing 1 or more of these. Keep your writing simple and clear – don't use a niche or uncommon word if you can use a simple word instead. Don't use slang words or jargon if it can be avoided.
Teams and social messaging platforms
On Teams or in other social messaging apps, you can access resources and take part in discussions. Build up a good attendance and participation record online to show your lecturer you're working to get good results.
- Do your homework by reading, thinking and preparing for the topic set by the lecturer before you go online.
- Take time to read and think about other student messages before you add your own.
- Give and take. If you are looking at others' ideas it is important to be fair by sharing your own.
- Don't dominate the chat sessions.
- Be respectful to others.
Remember that your lecturers can see your posts and messages.
Zoom and Google Classroom
You'll use Zoom and Google Classroom for online lectures, group projects and virtual study sessions. Being comfortable with these tools will allow you to participate in discussions, share ideas and work on team assignments, preparing you for both academic success and future workplace environments.
Rules for posting in online platforms
Do:
- Respect other people's views and beliefs.
- Only post comments which are appropriate to the particular discussion.
- Remember that you are conversing with real people and not with a screen name in cyberspace – be kind.
- Check your writing for errors before posting.
Do not:
- Disclose personal information or personal details that might cause discomfort or trigger other students.
- Post anything abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise illegal.
- Copy or forward email or any other private messages without permission.
- Send unsolicited private messages.
- Include material which is confidential or the copyright of which is owned by someone else, unless you have first obtained permission.
- Post material containing viruses or other programs which may disrupt the university's systems.
- Post any advertising or promotional material.
- Behave in an impolite or offensive manner.
- Post any contact details such as a phone number or physical address details.
- Type in CAPITALS – this is seen as shouting and aggressive.
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