Participation-Netiquette

LEARN MODERN GREEK ONLINE

CENTRE FOR THE GREEK LANGUAGE

 

Scientific supervisor: Prof. D. Koutsogiannis

Course supervisor: Antonis Konstantinidis

Project coordinator: Maria Arapopoulou

 

The participation of the learner in the “Learn Modern Greek Online” program is governed by the following terms. It is clarified that the following terms, proposals, and obligations ensure the equal participation of all learners as active and equal members of this learning community.

The program reserves the right to change the terms of participation and to adjust the schedule of the courses.

 

Section A: General Terms

 

1. Respectful Communication

• We foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all participants feel safe and respected. If at any point you feel insulted, harassed, or uncomfortable due to another participant's behavior, please notify your teacher immediately. You can do this privately during class through Zoom's private chat feature, or by email after class. All reports will be handled promptly and confidentially to ensure everyone's learning experience remains positive and productive.
• Be patient with others: Understand that your classmates may be at different levels of language proficiency. Allow them time to express themselves, even if their responses are slow or imperfect.

• Be encouraging: Offer constructive feedback and encouragement to peers. Positive reinforcement can boost confidence and help create a supportive learning environment.

 

2. Audio and Video Etiquette (Zoom)

• Mute when not speaking: In group sessions, mute your microphone when you’re not speaking to reduce background noise. If you want to make a comment or ask a question, raise your hand by clicking on the appropriate Zoom image OR type in the chat section.
• Use video when possible: Turn on your video to foster a more interactive and engaging environment, unless there’s a technical issue or personal concern. This helps with non-verbal communication and makes the experience more personal.
• Background distractions: If you’re in a noisy environment, consider using headphones or background noise filters, or choose a quiet space to minimize distractions.
• Body language matters: Nod, smile, and show engagement through body language—this enhances communication, especially for language learners. You can also use Zoom’s emojis/reactions to communicate your feelings.

 

3. ActiveParticipation

• Engage in discussions: In both live sessions and asynchronous discussions (VoiceThread), make sure to actively participate by asking questions, answering peers, and contributing your thoughts. Active involvement helps improve both your language skills and that of others. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you deem them silly.
• Stay on topic: Keep your contributions relevant to the lesson at hand. It’s easy to veer off-topic, especially in a casual learning environment, but staying focused will help maximize the learning experience for everyone.
• Use the target language as much as possible: While you may be a beginner, making an effort to use the language ̶even in small phrases̶ shows dedication and helps you learn. Try Greek as often as you can ̶even a single word is a great step̶  and don’t be afraid of mistakes.

 

4. Respectfor Time

• Be punctual: Join live sessions (Zoom) on time and respect the scheduled time frame. If you need to miss a session, notify the teacher ahead of time if possible.
• Respect the schedule for asynchronous tasks: If there are deadlines or guidelines for submitting assignments on VoiceThread or Moodle, make sure you adhere to them. Timelines help keep the course organized for everyone.

 

5. VoiceThreadEtiquette

• Record thoughtfully: When recording responses or assignments, speak clearly and at a moderate pace to ensure your message is easily understood. Re-record if necessary to ensure clarity.
• Be considerate of length: Avoid overly long recordings. Try to keep your messages concise while still fully answering any questions or prompts.
• Engage with peer videos: In VoiceThread discussions, watch and respond to your peers’ recordings in a timely manner. Offer meaningful feedback or ask follow-up questions.

 

6. Be Supportive of Others’ Mistakes

• Mistakes are part of learning: If you notice a mistake (grammar, pronunciation, etc.) in your classmates’ contributions, don’t be critical. Instead, gently offer suggestions, if appropriate, or simply let it be and continue encouraging everyone’s progress.
• Accept feedback graciously: If peers or the instructor offer corrections to your language use, be open to learning from them. Mistakes are opportunities for growth.

 

7. InclusiveEnvironment

• Be culturally sensitive: Remember that language learning often involves exposure to different cultures. To the best of your knowledge, be respectful of cultural differences, and avoid making assumptions about others’ language or communication styles. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to learn not only Greek, but also about other people's cultures, thus enhancing your cultural sensitivity.
• Avoid sarcasm or humor that might be misunderstood: Humor, especially in the written form, can be difficult to interpret across cultures. Try to keep your tone friendly and professional. In case you want to say something funny, be sure to mark it as a joke so that others do not misinterpret it.

 

8. TechnicalConsiderations

• Check your tech before class: Ensure your internet connection is stable, and your microphone and camera are working properly before Zoom sessions. If you run into issues during class, inform the teacher immediately.
• Help others if you can: If a classmate is struggling with technical problems (e.g., not being able to see or hear the lesson), offer help or suggest solutions where possible.

 

9. Confidentiality, Privacy, and Copyright guidelines

• Respect privacy: The sessions will not be recorded. Be mindful of what you share in discussions and VoiceThread recordings, as some people may not be comfortable with personal details being discussed publicly.
• Follow the course guidelines for sharing content: If you’re sharing work or any kind of material/resources, ensure that any external content is properly credited and that sharing adheres to the rules set by the teacher.
• Copyright issues: All course materials are protected by copyright law and may not be shared, distributed, or uploaded to external platforms without explicit permission. Similarly, when completing assignments, learners must properly cite any third-party content they use, including images, texts, videos, or audio materials. Using others' work without appropriate attribution constitutes plagiarism and violates intellectual property rights. Remember: always acknowledge your sources!

 

Section B: Additional Guidelines for Attendance and Assessment

 

10. AttendanceExpectations

• Regular attendance is encouraged: Active participation in live sessions (Zoom) and the completion of asynchronous activities are essential for progress. Please make an effort to attend all scheduled sessions to gain the most from the course.
• Allowed absences: You are allowed a certain number of absences (up to four), but please notify the teacher in advance if you are unable to attend. It is important to stay engaged, so try to catch up on missed material through Moodle or VoiceThread.
• Stay in contact with your teacher and supervisor: If you are facing any challenges or anticipate multiple absences, contact the teacher or course supervisor to discuss your situation. Regular communication is key to staying on track.

 

11. AssessmentApproach

• Formative assessment: Instead of traditional exams, the course will focus on formative assessment. This means that your progress will be assessed through ongoing participation, engagement, and the completion of tasks.
• Mock exam (optional): At the end of the course, you will have the option to take a mock exam at the A1 proficiency level to test your skills. This will help you assess your learning progress and is optional.
• No pressure AKA enjoy the ride! The mock exam is meant to be a learning and (self-)assessment step, not a final test. Feel free to take it at your own pace and use it as an opportunity to see how much you’ve learned. To us, the most important thing is to provide you with the basics of the Greek language through an engaging and exciting way, regardless of any examinations.

 

12. Online Platform: Inactivity span

• If a participant does not engage with the educational platform for a period exceeding fifty (50) calendar days, it will be assumed that they have withdrawn from the program.

 

13. Withdrawal from the Program

• If, for serious reasons, a participant wishes to withdraw from the program, they are required to inform their Teacher and/or the Course Supervisor by sending an email to the provided contact address.
• Upon withdrawal from the program, access to the learning platform and all associated course materials will be automatically terminated. Please note that you should download and save any personal work or assignments you wish to keep before withdrawing, as you will no longer be able to access these materials after your withdrawal is processed. Any downloaded course materials remain subject to copyright restrictions and may not be shared or distributed.

 

Section C: People to Consult

 

If you have any questions, concerns, or need support throughout the course, there are several people you can reach out to for assistance:

• Teacher: Your primary contact for any academic-related inquiries, including course content, assignments, participation, and clarification of lessons. Feel free to email or message them on Moodle for personalized guidance.
• Course Supervisor: If you encounter any challenges with course logistics, attendance, or general support, the course supervisor is available to help. They can also assist with any administrative concerns, such as extensions or issues regarding the platform.
• Technical Support: If you're experiencing difficulties with Zoom, VoiceThread, or Moodle, the technical support team will assist with troubleshooting any platform-related issues to ensure a smooth learning experience. Contact the Course Supervisor and he/she will communicate your issue to the technical support team.
• Peer Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to classmates if you need help or want to discuss course content. A collaborative approach can often help clarify difficult topics and provide different perspectives.

By staying in touch with these individuals, you’ll have the resources you need to navigate the course effectively and address any issues promptly.