Instructors may ask you to participate in a live, or synchronous, discussion in a course chat room. This is a great way to interact with other students, your instructor or a guest lecturer without everyone being in the same classroom. Two-way respect is the key for all interactions on the Web. Respect yourself and the persons with whom you are interacting in chat rooms.

Basic guidelines for chat room interactions

• Know your audience
  Remember that they are human and would appreciate language with two-way respect and no slang or foul words. Keep humor and sarcasm to a minimum because they are open to misinterpretations. Debate is expected and welcome, but ridicule of people, Web sites, or ideas is not appropriate.
• Represent yourself well
  What you write reflects on you!
• Be brief
  Long chats, emails, reports or discussions take up everyone's valuable time.
• Be precise and clear
  Have the correct name, topic or term for your questions or statements. Provide short subject headings or no one may read your message.
• Be honest
  If you don't agree, respectfully say so, but give reasons to back up your rationale.
• Be quick and don't monopolize the chat
  Everyone should have an equal opportunity to participate
• Don't be repetitive
• Be prepared
  Cite sources if you make direct quotes.

Shirlee R. Singer, ASID, FIDEC
Professor of Art and Design
Coordinator, Interior Design Program
Iowa State University
Department of Art and Design
282 College of Design
Ames, IA 50011-3092 USA
phone 515-294-0677
fax 515-294-2725
email: ssinger@iastate.edu

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