I plan to discuss the 7 Principles of Learning with my students, as well as expectations for nettiquite. Engaging students in a process of setting norms for communication online is an activity that will help create student owernship of the culture of the class, and create buy-in. Also the 7 Principles of learning when discussed from both the student and teacher perspective help to set expectations for student/teacher and student/student interactions that will help to promote a positive class culture, and make the online classroom a comfortable and safe environment in which to ask for help from both instructor and peers.
