Moodle.org forums code of conduct

Note: This page is for writing down our previously unwritten agreed Moodle.org forums code of conduct / rules of engagement. This page is STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

General Principles

Deborah Johnson pointed out that the only hope for behaviour online is when participants internalise norms of behaviour, but she did give 3 rules that can help guide participants' behaviour and hence the development of norms.

"On-line ethics would seem to call for the following three general rules.

1. Know the rules of the forums in which you communicate and follow them.

2. Respect the privacy and property rights of others. When in doubt assume the user wants privacy and ownership.

3. Respect the individuals with whom you communicate and those who are affected by your communication; that is, do not deceive, defame, or harass." http://webpages.cs.luc.edu/~laufer/ethics96/papers/johnson.html

In Moodle.org, there are different areas in which slightly different norms may emerge e.g. Using Moodle, Moodle Lounge, Moodle for Business Uses, see Rule 1, but we can expect certain standards of behaviour from all Moodle.org participants, see Rules 2 and 3.

Advertising

• It is not allowed to put all-out advertisements (Moodle or otherwise) in Moodle.org content, such as forum posts. The only exceptions are the Partner blocks and the books etc. on the front page.
• There is no restriction on anyone mentioning their services in the forums if it's a natural part of discussion.

Seeking Help

Please see the guidelines here: https://docs.moodle.org/en/Moodle_Forum_Help.

These guidlelines arose as a result of a discussion here: http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=88599.

See also

• MDLSITE-392 - Create an agreed Moodle.org forums code of conduct