Student+Guidelines

Wiki Etiquette for Students - How to act on a wiki.

 * 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 we work off the Internet. Remember that information on the internet, especially embarrassing information, may still be around after you've deleted it, and some employers do Internet searches on prospective candidates. Be careful not to post things that may come back to haunt you later. Check out http://www.ikeepsafe.org/iksc_kids/ for more information.


 * Be truthful**. Write things you know to be correct using facts from research __//from reliable, credible sources//__. Not sure about sources of information? Check out the Quality Information Checklist at http://www.quick.org.uk/menu.htm.


 * Ask first, then give credit.** Ask an artist's permission to post their photos, pictures or pieces of writing. Never use first and last names of people that could identify them in a photo or video. If you are quoting an article or using information from a story be sure to post where you got it. You must also ask permission when using an idea from a friend, a family member, or even from an acquaintance. After you have his/her permission, then you must ask if you can post his/her name to give him/her credit. If you know anyone who is breaking any part of this rule, it is very important to tell someone who can help immediately.


 * Be nice.** The most important thing to remember is sarcasm hurts. It is most often misunderstood when typed in a message which is then posted on the Internet. You may think you're funny when you write something rude or silly, but it can be extremely hurtful to read. Negative words hurt worse when said by someone you thought was your friend. So, be overly friendly and be positive. Remember ... treat others as you would like to be treated.

Some folks are not terribly good at thinking and writing at the same time, and what they say ends up sounding not so good. If you think they were deliberately nasty or highly critical, don't agonize over it or respond in kind. The best way to change what people do is to reward good behaviour and to ignore bad behaviour.


 * Read, re-read, and proof-read before you click ENTER.** Don't rush to make that final . Once you press that button, you can't bring it back. Look everything over and use your spell check to be sure everything is accurate. When you are certain that the editing is complete, then __**save**__ to publish.

See http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlissues/acrlinfolit/infolitoverview/introtoinfolit/introinfolit.cfm for more on Information Literacy.
 * 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 or sponsor and what are the author's qualifications or credentials?
 * **What** type of information is provided?
 * **When** was the information created? last updated or revised?
 * **Where** is the information coming from- is the domain a .edu, .gov, .org, etc.
 * **Why** is the information posted; to educate, to inform, to present unbiased views, to entertain, to sell or entice?


 * Be brief, to the point and logical.** Use breaks in your text and formatting elements to make the page easy to read and understand.


 * 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.