TIPS FOR USING THE PT@CC ELECTRONIC UPDATE

PTATCC@lists

1. When posting a message, pay particular attention to the subject description you put in the subject line of your message. An accurate description allows others to choose what they want to read and what they may want to ignore.


2. Use the REPLY button wisely! If you reply to a message, it will only go to the individual who posted the first comment or question. If you select REPLY ALL, your remarks will be broadcast to the entire list. When replying to a question or comment on the listserv avoid posting a "me too" or "I agree" message as a response. This just contributes to the already large amounts of mail listserv participants are already receiving. If you feel compelled to respond using a very short response, do so privately to the individual who posted the message.


3. Be understanding of your fellow listserv colleagues when they make a posting and/or replying mistake. At one time or another frequent posters are probably going to mistakenly hit the reply button and send a message that was meant to be sent to a private party. The sender probably feels badly about it and they don't deserve to be reprimanded by others on the list.


4. Avoid sarcasm in your messages. Since this is a listserv all parties subscribed may not understand the intended sarcastic tone and therefore bad feelings may emerge.


5. If responding to a question or comment it is helpful to include the original question or comment in the body of your reply.


6. Strive to be concise, clear, and polite in your own writing and flexible in your interpretation of the mail you receive from other people. "Be precise in what you send, and forgiving of what you receive."


7. It is OK to be a Lurker (one that belongs to the list but rarely or never posts). A member of a listserv should not feel obligated to post ideas to the list, rather one may learn through reading and reflecting on the comments and conversation that takes place on a listserv.


8. An educational listserv is typically not for commercial use (announcing things that you, your company, or your publisher have for sale). It is intended to be an educational resource for teachers to share ideas and to support one another. However, it is appropriate to share resources that you have found to be valuable in your teaching (i.e., books, articles, Web sites, etc.).