Six Tips to Improve Kid Netiquette and Get Better Grades

                                                                                                                                    Photo credit: (c) 2008 Scott Freiberger

By Scott B. Freiberger

As my daughter virtually stepped into her online class, I was titillated to hear the teacher compliment compassionate kids as to appropriate online behavior.  “Netiquette” is a term that means appropriate online etiquette, and it’s become increasingly important considering classes may be connected online for a considerable amount of time. 

How can kids get in with teachers’ good graces while still retaining their warm, smiling faces?  (Hint: Say this loud in a sing-song voice and let your kids laugh and rejoice!) 

Let children speak!

Their voices heard!

You don’t have to say a word.

They’ll know what to say and do,

After they have read this through.

Here are six tips to improve kid netiquette and get better grades:

1. Screensaver: Don’t Eat During Class

Still watching the Disney Descendants franchise?

We don’t want to see kids eat their fries. 

Don’t you know it’s straight-up rude,

When teachers see kids eat their food?

It’s impolite to be ingesting,

While kids are investigating,

Topics to expand the mind,

So we don’t all get left behind. 

Set aside snacks and meal-time musing,

After educational perusing. 

Tip number one: Ensure your child’s food is done. 

Then once online she or he should be fine.   

2. Posture Pose:  Sit up Straight and Concentrate

Brick-and-mortar classroom seating,

Meant sitting up straight without eating. 

Good posture coupled with eye contact,

Means lesson-learning’s still intact. 

Teachers love when kids are focused!

Forget about the hocus pocus. 

Grasp the facts, delve into learning,

It means respect is still occuring.  

Tip number two: Learning is good for you. 

Sit up straight and concentrate. 

Yes, it’s true.  Your teachers will love you.  

3. Change your Clothes and Dress for Success

Lose the pajama party madness.

See teachers’ faces fill with gladness. 

Admins may be walking through!

It’s not the time for PJ’s.  True? 

Turn the camera on and smile.

You may be there for quite a while. 

Don’t check out while still in session.

You may miss an important lesson. 

Tip number three:  Delve into your honesty. 

Change your clothes until it shows,

That kids, too, can dress for success.

4. Raise Your Hand in Virtual Land

Question time?  Let them chime,

And ask away throughout the day. 

Nothing irks an educator more when she or he feels like a bore. 

Speechless students, don’t be afraid!

That’s why teachers are getting paid. 

We want to help you fathom facts and use the latest learning apps. 

Don’t stay silent, speak out loud!

Say it with me, nice and proud!

“I will raise my hand today, when I don’t know I’ll ask away.”

Tip number four:  Don’t be a virtual bore. 

Raise your hand to better understand. 

5. Respect Rules in Online Schools

Show respect when classmates speak.

That doesn’t mean that you are weak. 

While the teacher’s busy talking,

Kids should not be up and walking. 

Just like inside a school building, 

Participation can be thrilling! 

Show respect and you’ll be cool,

To everyone you’re not a fool. 

Tip number five:  Keep respect alive and increase the peace.   

6. Stay on Point

Stay on point when you speak,

Show off your mental physique. 

Don’t get side-tracked by cartoons,

Birthdays, or bright-hued balloons. 

Show maturity, self-control,

From NYC to Rome and Seoul.

When teachers ask you what you think,

It’s not the time to stare and blink. 

Put your greatness into motion,

Like a magic thinking potion. 

Tip number six: Stay on point with your words,

Like a flock of soaring birds. 

Feel free to use imagination…

Just return to Classroom Station.


                                                                                                                         Photo credit: (c) 2008 Scott Freiberger

Hope you like these tips I share,

It’s because I really care. 

Do your best and start to shine,

Even while you’re all online. 

Day by day you’ll start to get it,

So never fear, don’t even sweat it. 

Best of luck while you’re remote, and remember what John Dewey wrote:

It matters not what’s on the shelf, “…education is life itself.” 

BIO

Scott Freiberger, a passionate literacy coach with school building/district leader certification, is honored to be the 2018 TESOL International Teacher of the Year.  Twitter: @scottfreiberger

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