House Rules

Although this is an online group, there is still a need to facilitate and apply common group process skills that we would use in face-to face settings. Through this post you are thus encouraged to participate in compiling a set of rules aimed at achieving our shared goals.

These rules should serve to encourage behavior that will ensure the success of the portal in achieving its objectives/outcomes(should you feel the word "rules" is perhaps too regulative or carries a too heavy handed approach which might be at odds with the informal and collaborative spirit of the portal then let's replace this with "guidelines". Feel free to post your comments.).

But what is our objective you may ask? And you would be well within your right to demand clarity on this now as an agreed common understanding of the objectives from the beginning is key to ensuring a sustained and meaningful endeavour in achieving the desired outcomes. It will allow you to see how your individual contributions tie into the broader success of the group.

So I will open up this discussion by sharing with you the overall objectives of the Citizen Journalism Project as laid out in the concept document and request that you post your comments, should you have any, to share with the group.

We should then decide on our own ‘localised/specific ' objective in relation to the portal ( which would be embodied within the overall objective anyway.)

Below I have pasted the objectives as they appear in the concept document. Peruse and let's start discussing and formulating the objective for us as users of the portal.

An example of the specific objective of the knowledge sharing portal could be as follows: It must provide a platform whereby its community of users is able to learn the use of media tools in a journalistically sound manner through sharing and collaborating with the ultimate aim of producing media content which will amplify the marginalised voices of the target countries.

Again though it is essential that this be a shared objective so I urge you to contribute to developing this shared objective which we can all adopt.

Assuming that we are all in agreement with this our next step would be to develop a set of rules/guidelines that we will all agree to abide to. These guidelines/rules should include online and offline etiquette also known as ‘netiquette' i.e. the online manners or rules of conduct that is expected of the participants in engaging with others on the portal.

One aspect of the rules of conduct relates to the way we address each other on the portal or handle comments or suggestions. For instance, it is important to politely address a person by name and ensure that one completely understands what the person is trying to say before jumping to conclusions and criticising the person's comments. In an environment where nonverbal cues are not visible it is easy to misunderstand the intent of the person posting a comment, for example using capital letters online is very often construed as shouting; or perhaps an innocuous remark could be misinterpreted as a sarcasm as often one person's clever joke is another person's offensive insult. This approach of politely verifying the contributing person's intent encourages empathy and shared understanding.

The guidelines should also address operating norms necessary to sustain continued participation of the group i.e. it could set out the minimum number of times a participant is required to log in and the minimum no. of questions, responses or comments required per participant per week.

We could also look at setting up a buddy system i.e. a system in which pairs or groups of learners are responsible for joint participation and contribution. The groups could decide on alternating postings between themselves in the discussion area(so as to ensure that everyone contributes) and can also serve to motivate silent partners in addition to the prompts by the moderator. Feel free to comment on this or suggest other strategies to employ.

I will start by suggesting a few values and rules that I think should be included in our House Rules. Please feel free to add to or edit this list through posting your comments.

House Rules

• Openness: Anyone can participate in any section the portal. The editor reserves the right however to edit or to delete posts or comments that violate the conduct guidelines.
• Professional Behaviour: We will endeavour to uphold professional behaviour, etiquette and good manners at all times.

• Dissent and Opposing Opinions: All points of view are welcome provided they are not racist and exhibit hate.

update 12-12-07 All points of view are welcome provided they are not racist , sexist, or other wise prejudicial or exhibit hate.

• Respect opinions of other users: Respect people's right to disagree with you and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. You can politely correct people on points of fact without having to resort to maligning them or insulting them. The reverse is also important - try not to take criticisms personally and assume good faith i.e.
• Be Civil to others users at all times
• Maintain contact with the group through logging in at least three times a week and making at least on post per week.

Remember, ensuring that we promote self governing etiquette standards will enable us to develop a successful community with trademarks such as constructive discussion, information exchanges and empathic support- indicators of a well functioning portal. Let's ensure that ours is one to be proud of!!