[NLA] Info: NLA purpose, netiquette and guidelines

[David J. Rosen]

NLA Colleagues,

Here are the NLA statement of purpose, "netiquette" and guidelines for
what kinds of messages can and cannot be posted.   I hope you will read
this.  In the early years I asked members to evaluate the list, and
from these evaluations the guidelines have changed over the years. Of
course, your comments and  suggestions are welcome.

David J. Rosen
NLA List Moderator
<DJRosen at theworld.com>
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The main purposes of the NLA list are to provide subscribers
with information about national issues which affect adult
literacy/basic/secondary education and English for Speakers
of Other Languages legislation, policy, and funding.  It should
help list members inform policy makers about courses of action
that will benefit adult learners enrolled in literacy, biliteracy,
ESOL, ABE, GED, EDP and other kinds of adult literacy and learning
programs.

Subscribers are encouraged to post information to the list, use
the list postings to inform policy makers, and use the list to
raise and discuss questions and concerns about policy issues
affecting adult literacy and learning.  The NLA list is intended to
provide a forum for discussion of public policy issues in which
there is broad participation from all those who have a stake in
adult literacy education: learners, practitioners, researchers,
staff developers, policy makers, and others.

As the NLA list has grown, another purpose has evolved. It is
also for people to better understand the issues of the field, to
participate, of course, but also, if they choose, to "lurk" and
learn in a kind of electronic fishbowl.


List "Netiquette"

Electronic lists generally have some basic expectations of users,
so here are ours:

1)  Always sign your messages -- in the body of the message as
some subscribers do not get all the header information -- with
at least your name, and if you want people to reply to you
individually, your e-mail address.  Some subscribers would like
message posters to put their name near the top of the message.
If you wish, you can add your organizational affiliation, your
phone, fax, and U.S. Postal address.

2)  When you reply to a posted message, it helps readers
if you quote the part of the message (usually not the whole
message) that you are replying to.  They will then understand
the context.  Many mail utilities allow the user, when
responding to a message, to "quote" it.  Then you can delete the
parts of the message which are not pertinent to the reply.

3)  Before you send a reply, consider if it should go to everyone
on the list or just to the person who sent the message.  If you
think it will be of general interest, send it to the list; if not,
be careful to reply only to the message originator (the "REPLY TO"
address.)

4)  Advertisements, practitioner job announcements and other
posts which are not related to adult literacy and learning
  _public policy_ issues should not be posted here, but could be
posted to other electronic lists.  A free on-line list of adult
literacy electronic lists, and how to subscribe to each of them,
may be found at http://www.alri.org/literacylist.html

5)  Messages will not be posted to the list which, in the
judgement of the moderator, include "shouting" or "flaming."
Text written in capital letters or which uses multiple
exclamation points is referred to in e-list parlance as
"shouting." Emphasis could instead be made by using >these<.
"Flaming" is personal attack, sarcasm, innuendo or other kinds of
derogatory or disrespectful language. Messages which are intended
to attack or criticize the practices of a specific service
provider (program) or other organization also will not be posted.
NLA subscribers, in evaluations of the list, have indicated that
they do not want such messages to be posted here.

6) Some subscribers have asked that for messages which are long or
philosophical the poster should indicate this in the message header
(possibly with the words "long" or philosophical") or at the top
of the message.

7) Some subscribers have suggested that "brevity is the key to
being heard," that writing clearly, simply and directly will lead
to better communication. One suggestion for long messages is to
include a brief synopsis at the beginning.

8) As NLA messages are archived, it helps those who are searching
for a message if the header addresses the subject.  For example, 
"Welfare Reform," "learner leadership," "Workforce Investment Act"
are helpful but "My reply to your thoughts" isn't.

9) In messages which refer to research or theory it helps to cite
references, especially for those who wish to learn more.

10) Avoid messages to the list which only say "Thanks," or "I agree."
E-mail those to the individual.


Guidelines for What kinds of Messages Should be Posted on the
NLA list

All messages related to adult literacy/basic education/ESOL
public policy are welcome, and:

1.  research, job announcements, calls for conference papers,
and conference announcement postings are welcome >only< if
their content is clearly related to adult literacy/basic
skills/ESOL public policy;

2.  announcements of literacy-related publications of all kinds
are welcome;

3.  inquiries about adult education methods or practices are
welcome; however, unless they are related to public policy, the
poster should ask that replies be sent to her/him, not to the
NLA list;

4.  questionnaires can be posted provided: a) it is made clear
that replies are to be sent to the poster, not to the NLA list;
and  b) if they are public-policy related, the poster agrees to
post a summary of the results to the NLA list; and

5.  short, grant RFP notices of all kinds can be posted,
preferably  if they list a Web site where one could see the
whole RFP online.

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