Document Actions
Successfulonlinebuf.doc
(Successfulonlinebuf.doc
- 40Kb)
Getting the Most Out of Online Communities
Many factors contribute to whether or not participants in online communities have a successful experience. The purpose of this document is to acquaint you with some of these factors and to give you an opportunity to identify areas where you may need additional assistance and support from district personnel during the course of the online cohort activities.
We will discuss these points during our face-to-face meeting. Please use the accompanying checklist to rate your comfort level in each area. Your responses on these checklists will be used to determine further training activities.
Regular and reliable access to a computer and to the internet
The computer in your office should have the necessary memory and speed to allow you to access and work efficiently in online environments. The on-site high speed internet access provided by the district facilitates working in an online community.
Using a different computer: If you choose to use a computer in another location, depending upon the age of the computer, its configuration, and the system software used, you may find that accessing the online community becomes somewhat cumbersome.
Using a dial-up internet connection: If you're using a DSL or cable connection at another location, you won't notice any difference in connection speed. However, when you use an off-site dial-up connection, you will notice that it takes longer for Web pages to open, to post responses online, and to download or upload files.
Access to the software you need
The applications you need include: Internet Explorer (or another Web browser), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Using a different computer: Other computers may not have all these applications installed on the hard drive. Use the Start menu (Applications file on a Macintosh) to check All Programs to make sure the required applications are there.
Navigating the internet
You need to have basic proficiency in using Internet Explorer, Netscape, or another internet browser. Required skills include knowing how to:
Open the browser and enter a URL (uniform resource locator)
Use the Back button
Use the Forward button
Open and use more than one browser window at a time
Add a site to Favorites or Bookmarks
Access and use a search engine (e.g., Google or Alta Vista)
Using E-mail
You need to have access to an e-mail account that you check daily. Required skills include knowing how to:
Compose and send an e-mail message
Embed a URL in the body of an e-mail message
Attach an application file (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to an e-mail
Download and open a file attachment
Locate files you have downloaded
Using Software Applications
You need to have basic skills for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Required skills include knowing how to:
Open and save a new file
Locate files you have saved previously
Enter text or data
The Electronic Briefcase includes directions about application basics as well as step sheets to use the templates and tools.
Being a Member of an On-Line Community
Threaded discussions
Threaded discussions enable cohort members to communicate with one another through individual postings. The postings are archived in a special area and can be read, responded to, and reviewed again later. All cohort members have access to their group's comments. The discussions are helpful because members can exchange ideas and provide feedback to one another. You need to respond to at least one comment posted by another cohort member each week.
When posting a comment in a threaded discussion, it's important to `add value.' Comments such as `Nice going,' or `Good point,' don't provide any information to the group. To add value in your posted responses, your remarks need to do one of the following:
Provide an example that supports the idea expressed in the comment you are responding to;
Expand the idea presented in the posting you are responding to;
Or, present another perspective of the topic of the posting you are responding to.
Threaded discussion etiquette
An online environment sometimes feels anonymous. It's easy to post an entry or a response to an entry posted by someone else without giving much thought to how your words might be interpreted by other readers. This is because readers can't see your body language or hear your tone of voice. It's important that threaded discussions be safe spaces where cohort members are able to explore issues and support one another. Keep the following suggestions in mind:
Keep an open mind when reading postings. Respond in a way that builds conversations rather than shutting them down. You can do this by:
Selecting your words and phrases carefully;
Asking for clarification if you think you have misunderstood a statement;
Being careful when using humor (jokes often require visual and aural clues to be funny);
Not using all caps when typing a response (it's virtual shouting);
Take the time to proof-read a comment before hitting the post button. Once it is posted, you cannot retrieve it.
Post your own ideas, questions, or experiences to enhance conversations. Be sure your remarks are on topic.
The mentors may engage in discussions, but they are resources and will not dominate discussions. The cohort members need to bring their ideas, questions, and expertise to the discussions. The more each individual contributes, the more opportunities there will be for everyone to learn something new.
Most importantly, respect privacy. Please keep remarks made online within the online community.
Time management
Membership in an on-line community requires time. Many participants are not prepared for the time it takes to complete activities, read postings, and write responses.
Your time commitment is two hours each week. In order for discussions to take place, you need to plan to post your own work by Wednesday or Thursday each week. This allows time for all members of the cohort to read and respond to other postings. With your busy schedule, it may be easy to delay logging into the community, completing activities, and entering into the discussions.
If you're having difficulty, let me know right away (SJBrooks@aol.com).
My role as mentor
Provide assistance to cohort members.
Redirect discussions that get off-track.
Review and respond to the activities you post.
Respond to e-mails from individuals.