John,
Thanks for reminding us again.
To me, one value of this list is that it brings together people with
different kinds of experience and expertise. Most importantly, it
brings together teachers and linguists, groups that have much to gain
from sharing their perspectives with each other. It is also a place
where, historically at least, we have encouraged any and all
questions, no matter how naive, from people who would like to take
advantage of that expertise and experience. That only happens when the
responses are gracious and welcoming.
When the list works well, we are able to entertain more than one
perspective on an issue. Lately, that hasn't always been the case.
Even when we believe we have the "right" answer, we should remind
ourselves that everyone has the right to weigh in on a topic. It's not
just respect for other people as people, but respect for the way that
truth develops when we hold back our judgment and listen respectfully
to each other. Other lists I am on have a narrower interest base than
we have here, and that can create tension, but it can also be a great
strength. For me, at least, the highest levels of civility don't
always happen without effort, and I have sent posts over the years
that would have been better if I had waited a day or so. That seems to
me what ethics are about--a call to our better nature.
We all have personal agendas, but the list is not about them, and it is
wrong to put the list in jeopardy by insisting on a narrow conversation
about a narrow agenda. We have to respect the agenda of the list, a
forum for the interchange of ideas about the teaching of grammar.
Craig
And the discussion group gets smaller. We lose members after every other
> exchange it seems these days.
>
> Please, everyone, moderate thyself. We often have entire classes of
> students
> join our discussion group; these students, ranging from high school
> students
> to graduate students, often observe only and deserve better than what they
> sometimes get from us. I've been contacted by more than one teacher who
> has
> expressed disappointment in the amount of unprofessional behavior seen on
> the list at times. I explain to them the nature of a public, unmoderated
> list with the hope that they will understand. However, without stating
> anything as a "rule," let me share some common precepts and expectations
> that make for successful listserv groups:
>
> - All those who use this list are expected to maintain quality levels
> of
> professionalism, ethics, decorum and civility regarding postings.
>
> *Postings and Etiquette/Netiquette*
>
> Postings should exhibit the following:
>
> 1. Maturity and tact
> 2. Audience-appropriate language
> 3. Cogency when possible
>
> Avoid posting that can be reasonably described as any of the following:
>
> 1. Libelous
> 2. Defamatory
> 3. Obscene
> 4. Pornographic
> 5. Threatening
> 6. Invasive of privacy
> 7. Abusive
> 8. Illegal
> 9. Constitute or encourage a criminal offense
> 10. Violate the rights of any individual, group or entity
> 11. Create liability
> 12. Copyright infringements
>
> These seem like no-brainers, right? We currently do not moderate or censor
> messages nor do we impose consequences for violations. To do so would
> require interpretation of content, which is subjective. We've tried to
> stay
> away from this. Please allow us to continue to do so. I will be working
> with
> ATEG's leadership to review policies for blatant offenses such as
> commercial
> spam and pornography. I truly hope we don't have to expand the policies to
> encompass more than that.
>
> John Alexander
> ATEG
>
> To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface
> at:
> http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
> and select "Join or leave the list"
>
> Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/
>
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/
|
