Wiki Etiquette 

Be brief, to the point and logical

Use breaks in your text and formatting elements to make the page easy to read and understand. Use facts as often as possible. When giving comments on others work be sure to express well thought out comments.

Follow Directions

Be sure to follow the directions that are given for the assignment -- be creative, but within the parameters set forth on the page.

Do not delete the work of others deliberately

Unless it is part of the editing process, do not correct the spelling and grammar of other students.

Keep it on topic - classroom oriented

This isn't the place to discuss afterschool plans, chatting or other unrelated topics.

Using Names in the Opening & Closing of posted "Comments."

To foster community & civility, please use the user name of the person or persons you are directing your remarks, observations, or questions.  In closing your comment also include your own user name.  These actions help to personalize online communication and go a long way towards fostering a sense of community and ensure a civil tone with the written remarks.

Stealing Locks

Given the collaborative nature of a wiki and the volume of participants within the classes we want to establish some "ground rules" concerning Stealing Locks when editing pages.  Several folks have posted comments expressing their anger & frustration at having the page stolen from them while they were editing. 

• If you attempt to edit a page & the textbox notifies you that the page is being actively edited by another member of the wiki community that you take a 5 minute break to allow that person to complete their editing tasks.
• Never steal a lock unless the wiki "tells" you that the page has not been edited for more then 5 minutes. Never steal a lock when someone is actively editing. For editors, this means you need to save your work if you notice that you have spent too much time away from the page.

Comment or Edit?

Comments are used for discussion, questions or comments on the information. If your comment is fact or information of relevance for the topic of the page, you should EDIT the page and put the information there. Otherwise there is a chance no one will read it. This is a way to contribute. Comments are to give thoughts on other's work or ideas.

Comments are meant to leave one's own thoughts on the topic or to give constructive advice. Let's keep things positive.

Open external links in a new window

If you link to a page outside the wiki it's a good idea to open the link in a new window. This way users don't have to leave the wiki when following the link.

How? When you insert a link and choose Link Type: URL there will appear a new tab in the window called Target. Click this tab and choose Target: New window.^[1]

Keep Safe

Never post your personal information or information about someone else. Keep things like ages, addresses, phone numbers, names of towns, or even places you work off the Internet.

Not Anonymous

Treat others as you want to be treated -- don’t write mean or hurtful comments. Remember you are not anonymous

Information Please

The Internet is a great source of information but information is only useful when it is accurate. Before referencing a website, ask and answer a few simple questions:

• Who is the author and what are their qualifications or credentials?
• What type of information is provided?
• When was the information created? When was it last updated or revised?
• Where is the information coming from- is the domain a .edu, .gov, .org?
• Why is the information posted; to educate, to inform, to present unbiased views, to
• entertain, to sell or entice?

Tell The Teacher

If you find information on the wiki that shouldn’t be there first show it to your teacher. Don’t respond and don’t edit the wiki.^[2]

Free Expression

This is a classroom wiki. Comments, ideas, and thoughts should be expressed in a responsible and marture fashion. No cussing, hate terms, inappropriate language, or bullying on this website.

Nothing Bad

Don't do anything that the teacher wouldn't want you to do. No idiotic behavior on this web page, and no

unappropriate pictures.