Some Posts to Ponder

Below are sample posts of the sort that have produced problems in the past on Wellesley's FirstClass Community conference. Think about why these posts might pose problems in a highly public setting. As you read them, consider these questions:

• How would you feel if you were the person referred to in the post?
• How would you react if you were another student reading the post? If you were your RD or your Dean? A professor? Your job supervisor?
• What kind of response might someone write that would produce a flame war?
• What kind of response, if any, might move this discussion in more productive directions and/or deflect a flame war?
• Which, if any, Netiquette Guidelines come into play in each case?

Sample Community Thread

(Note: The posts that follow are simulated posts, constructed to resemble situations that have actually occurred on public forums on FirstClass.)

sample post 1

sample post 2

sample post 3