E-mail is often introduced as an informal or even personal form of communication. This may not be the case in a course setting. In a class environment, electronic messages are sued to support communication, teaching and evaluation. Electronic messages for class use should follow the same rules as printed material.

E-mail rules for course related activity:

1. All e-mail is expected to adhere to good writing practices.
   a. Spell checking
   b. Grammar
   c. Format
2. E-mail may be easily misunderstood without one's accompanying body language.
3. E-mail messages are not any more private than other forms of communication: there are issues of security and one should exercise due caution.
4. E-mail assignments should be backed-up and maintained like other electronic documents.

Reference:

"Keeping Electronic Records Policy for Electronic Recordkeeping in the Commonwealth Government" Australian Archives, Commonwealth of Australia, September 1995. The published version is ISBM 0 642 23429 9. http://www.aa.gov.au/AA_WWW/AA_Issues/EMcontents.HTM (3 December, 1997).

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