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NewcastleX: NHI101x Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101

Discussion guidelines

The success of any creative course is in part created by a positive atmosphere of inclusion, professionalism, diligence and deference among students and teachers. We ask that these standards be reflected in your discussions in our online forum.

You are invited to participate in the forum to share ideas and ask questions relating to each of the course’s six modules.  Your questions may not be answered immediately. 

The course team is based in Newcastle, NSW, and works within UTC/GMT+11 (Daylight Saving Time). Your course moderators will be online each day (Monday-Friday) for a few hours.

On the discussion board there are two types of posts you can choose from: discussions and questions.

    1. Discussions will begin conversations with your peers and are best for posting your images. 
    2. Questions are for drawing attention to matters you need answers to.

We ask that you:

        • Be courteous and patient in your exchanges.
        • Read your comments before you post them.
        • Think about whether your comments are appropriate and constructive.
        • Refrain from using text language and emoticons (they can be misinterpreted and difficult to decipher).
        • Do not use jargon or slang.
        • Avoid “shouting” with the use of capital letters.
        • Communicate in simple terms and try not to rush.
        • Do not post the content of discussions elsewhere unless you have the consent of those involved.
        • Express your views in a respectful way (we all have varying degrees of experience and skill in this field).
        • Avoid pouncing on others’ mistakes. We all make them. (If correction or clarification is necessary, alert the student via a private conversation).
        • Respect copyright. Ensure that the work you post is your own, or if using other artists’ work as examples, that they are appropriately referenced.

In the spirit of Virginia Shea’s The Core Rules of Netiquette (2003), we remind you that every online username is linked to a real person with real feelings. Please be kind and accommodating, and be aware that many countries, languages and customs will be represented among the students undertaking this course.

If you have any questions about course content, using edX or completing activities, you can also ask your moderators Clare and Gina.

Have fun learning and sharing what you know!
To consult specific rules regarding EdX online conduct, please see https://www.edx.org/edx-terms-service.