The following is excerpted from a Marylhurst University document and used with permission.

Rules of the Road and Ethics

Marylhurst's online courses are based on the premise that students learn best in a community. The instructor plays an important role, but this is a different role than most instructors play in the classroom.  You'll see a shift in the way classes work.  However,  some things don't change: the practices of courtesy and respect that apply in the ordinary classroom also apply online, and require even more attention. Here are some guidelines:
 

1. Participate. In the online environment, it's not enough to show up! We need to hear your voice to feel your presence, and we especially need your comments add to the information, the shared learning, and the sense of community in each class.
2. Be persistent.  Remember that we're all working in a fairly new environment. If you run into any difficulties, don't wait! Send a note immediately to the instructor. Most problems are easily solved, but we have to hear from you before we can help.
3. Share tips, helps, and questions. For many of us, taking online courses is a new frontier. There are no dumb questions, and even if you think your solution is obvious, please share it! Someone in the class will appreciate it.
4. Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what you've written before you send it.
5. Remember that we can't see the grin on your  face when you make a sarcastic comment, we can't see the concern on your face if you only say a couple of words, and we can't read your mind and fill in the gaps if you abbreviate your comments. So: help us "see" you by explaining your ideas fully. Use emoticons for fun once in awhile. An emoticon looks like this ;-)
6. Remember there's a person on the other side. Ask for feedback if you're not sure how your ideas and comments will be taken. If you disagree with what someone has said, practice all your communication skills as you express that disagreement. "Flaming," or flying off the handle and ranting at someone else is unacceptable; it's the equivalent of having a tantrum, something most of us wouldn't do in an onsite, face to face classroom.
7. Any derogatory or inappropriate comments regarding race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, are unacceptable and subject to the same disciplinary action that they would receive if they occurred in the physical classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know.
8. Plagiarism, cheating and other violations of ethical student behavior are serious actions in a learning community. You should expect to be treated accordingly. Specific policies regarding such actions are spelled out in the Student Handbook, which is available in hard copy from the University, and will be available online very soon.