Persistent Negative Behaviour Policy

Summary

As a platform for social learning, it is important that every course hosted on FutureLearn is an inclusive, positive and constructive learning environment. It’s also a place where fruitful discussion and debate are encouraged.

Learners should feel empowered to discuss even the most difficult topics, provided that they do so respectfully and within the appropriate context of a course.

For example, taking an extreme position on a sensitive subject like politics or religion might be appropriate within a course about that topic, but not if it is brought up out of context on a course about an entirely different subject.

Repeated posting of misinformation or disinformation without accepting correction – particularly if the correction comes from course educators or mentors who are experts in the subject matter – is not acceptable.

Asking challenging questions is fine, occasional disagreements on particular matters are to be expected, and respectful debate is encouraged.

This policy is intended to discourage and manage persistent disruptive behaviour in which, for example, an individual will not stop posting about a single issue, to the detriment of the learning experience for other learners.

Policy

If a learner:

• Repeatedly personally attacks another learner, educator or partner in a course
• Refuses to accept the fundamental premise of a course
• Is trying to force their own agenda on other learners
• Shows no genuine interest in learning from the course
• Posts intentionally provocative or inflammatory comments

And posts at least 5 comments that demonstrate one or more of the above…

First:
FutureLearn Moderation will send them an email to explain why this is detrimental to the learning experience for other learners, ask them to change their behaviour, and link to this policy.

Then:
If the learner does not improve their behaviour and posts 2 more comments that fall into a category above, they may be asked to leave the course.

If they don’t leave or change their behaviour,
Depending on the situation, they may be temporarily or permanently suspended from accessing FutureLearn.

In addition, if the learner does not respond to the email and continues to post comments that fall into the categories above, they will be suspended until they communicate with FutureLearn to indicate that they will change their behaviour.

The more behaviours displayed from the categories above, the more negative the behaviour will be considered.

Malicious reporting of comments

Reporting comments that do not break the Code of Conduct can be a form of persistent negative behaviour and will be addressed in the manner outlined above.

If a learner:

• Repeatedly reports comments from someone as part of an ongoing dispute
• Repeatedly reports comments that do not break the Code of Conduct because they do not agree with the comment
• Repeatedly reports comments with reasons that do not match the reporting reasons specified in the drop-down menu

And does this on three or more occasions, or as part of a pattern of behaviour that combines with the above regarding comments, this will be treated as persistent negative behaviour.

The more behaviours displayed from the categories above, the more negative the behaviour will be considered.

Read more about moderation on FutureLearn and the FutureLearn Code of Conduct.