Nicenet Online Discussion

Our online nicenet class name is CHILD PSYCH SP 2006.
Print out this page to reference it throughout the semester.

When it is time to begin our online discussionat www.nicenet.org, I will e-mail the NICENET class key to you when you need it.  Be sure to keep all e-mail messages to and from me until the semester is over.

Nicenet enables us to have a form of classroom discussion. This is an important part of your Internet course learning experience and grade. The Internet course is designed for you to spend approximately the same amount of time doing Internet research and analysis that you would spend in a traditional classroom, about 40+ hours per semester. 

There will be a test topic to make sure everybody has officially joined the class and can read and post messages. There will be four (4)  major topics posted for discussion during the semester. Each topic will be online for ten (10) days to two (2) weeks. The first few days will be for original postings, then the rest of the time will be for responses.

You will receive e-mails about new topics and the dates you have to participate. You are expected to search on the internet and read at least six (6) or eight (8) additional articles for each one that you post. The ones that you choose to post online should be the best of what is available and should be ones that other students will find beneficial if they choose your site to locate, read, and respond to it.

Some people have something to say on every topic introduced in a classroom. Others have valuable knowledge, ideas and questions but seldom voice them. Online discussions put everyone on an even playing field. Many of you will find that you have a lot more to say with your fingers than you ever did with your mouth!

This will challenge you to do some research on the Internet and discover new information, new sources of information and how to do an effective, efficient search. Resist the temptation to post sites that do not address the assigned topics. If someone else gets off track, don't respond to their posting either. There is far more information available on each of our topics than we could possibly cover, so concentrate on the stated assignment. Off-track postings do not help your grade.

The more you read, not just locate, but really read and analyze, the more you will learn, and the more benefit you will receive from this Child Psychology class. There is a wealth of fascinating information out there regarding these topics. I never fail to learn new things when I go surfing, and I trust the same is true of you.

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Getting On Nicenet, or ICA, Internet Classroom Assistant

On the internet go to www.nicenet.org

The name of our class is CHILD PSYCH SP 2006

1. Under New Users Start Here, click on "Students: Join a Class." [If you already have a user name and password for another class, go to "Current Users Log In" and long on.]
2. When prompted for the class key, type in the key that I will email to you during the week of our web class orientation/lab tour and after I receive your "All About You" information.  [ Be sure to save the class key message in your Internet class e-mail folder.] Click on "Join the Class"
3. Type in your first and last name as your User Name. ["Anonymous" gets no credit for postings!]
4. Make up and write down a simple password that you will remember. You will need it every time you log in.
5. Enter your e-mail address twice, then your first and last name.
6. Click on "Join the Class!"
7. Print out and save the next screen your Username and password. 
8. Click on "Finish Registration".
9. Now Log In to the ICA, using your username and password.
10. This takes you to the home page for CHILD PSYCH SP 2006
11. Please read the ICA FAQ ( Frequently Asked Questions) --see menu at left. 
12. Log Out every time you finish on Nicenet.

After you join the class, you will go straight to Log In with your first and last name, and your password.

Be sure to check all the items on the menu so you can become familiar with nicenet.

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Nicenet Troubleshooting And Tips

Occasionally you may have problems logging on or posting your responses to Nicenet. Here are some tips to help you avoid problems:

• Type your post in a word editor and paste it into the Message Text area in Nicenet. You may use Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, Wordpad or Notepad. If you are unfamiliar with Wordpad, go here.

1. Log on to Nicenet
2. Click on Conferencing
3. Click on New Message
4. Minimize Nicenet browser window
5. Edit/copy your response off your word editor, if you are unfamiliar how to copy, go here.
6. Type in your subject in the Subject text field
7. Click inside the Message Text field
8. Click on Edit
9. Click on Paste, your message should appear in the text area.
10. Click on the Post New Message button

• If you continue to have problems posting to Nicenet, you can send your response to me and the rest of your classmates as an e-mail attachment. Try later to post to Nicenet so other students can respond to your message if desired.
• If you cannot send your response as an e-mail attachment, then print your post out and bring it to my office. E-mail me if you need to do this so I will know to look for it. This is our last choice because your post can't be shared with other class members. Although others may not be able to learn from your research, opinions and experiences, it will count some toward your participation grade. 
• Start working on your postings as soon as I put the new topic on Nicenet so that should you have technical difficulties you will still have plenty of time to use other alternatives.

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How To Post Messages And Replies

Once you have joined the class, sign on to participate in the first test topic.  The best way to learn your way around our online class is to take some time to explore all the sections to see what is there and how to get there. Often there is more than one way to do what you need to do.

Under the Conferencing link on the right, click on New Messages in the Test topic (The topic titles will change as we go along.). Read the topic and any messages. Click on Post Message to Test topic. You will have text areas to type in your subject and your original message. Then click on Post New Message to Test topic.

When posting a reply to another student’s original posting, click on Reply. You will then get boxes to type in your subject and your reply message. Then click on Post New Message. Do not click on the Send A Personal Message To (Name). If you do, it will only send an e-mail message to that person. The rest of the group won't see it or respond to it, so you won’t get participation credit on your grade. 

Be sure that you always have a descriptive subject for each of your messages. This topic should help other students know at a glance the main emphasis of your Internet site or message. For instance, if you are researching treatments for Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) your subject might be Drugs, Biofeedback, or Behavioral Therapy.

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Format And Content Of Postings

Please follow the format shown below.  Keep all three sections separate.

I. Cite The Site "http://www.internetaddress.ext" Give the Internet address (URL) of the best sites you locate. This means to share the Internet address (URL), where others can follow up if desired. If you do not know how to use the Internet search engines, go here. Your assignments will instruct you to make several original postings, including the URL, a brief summary of the findings, and a critical analysis/application of the information. You will also be required to make several analytical responses to the postings of other students.

[Skip a line.]

II. Summarize Give a six-to-ten sentence summary of the material presented in the Internet site. Put this in your own words, don’t just copy lines and phrases from the Internet site.

[Skip a line.]

III. Analyze Give a six-to-ten sentence analysis/application/evaluation/reaction to the information in the Internet site. This can be personal or professional ways each bit of information applies to, or can be applied to, you, your family and/or friends, people you work with in your job, people in our community, state, country, world, etc. Again, use your own words.

When I was an undergraduate, I did some research on a topic and wrote pages and pages about what I had found. I was quite pleased with all the information I had tracked down and had put together so beautifully. I was sure the professor would be as impressed as I was. My paper came back with one word on it... "So?"

Puzzled, I went in to speak to the professor. She explained to me that I had done a fine job of reporting the information that existed on the topic, but that I had failed to follow up by evaluating it and analyzing it and telling how I thought it might or might not work in our community. She told me that no paper is ever complete without wrapping it up with the "So What?"

It was a very valuable lesson for me, and I pass it on to you with the expectation that it will help you go a few steps further after you complete the reporting part of your discussion. Ask yourself "So what? What does this mean to me? To us? To our town, country, state, country, the world? What does it mean for children? Families? Education? Health?" Tell us your answers.

Ask questions such as...

• Why is this information important?
• What does it mean?
• How can it be helpful?
• How can we use it to make life better for individuals, families, society?
• How can we educate others?
• Does this information reinforce, or contradict, what other sources tell us?
• Do you agree or disagree with the information?  Why or why not?
• Who wrote this?
• What company or organization published this information?
• How credible is this source?
• Are they trying to sell me something?
• Does what they say make sense?

Tell what information or experiences you have that either reinforce or contradict the Internet articles.

Here are some ideas of how you can use your Critical Thinking Skills (from Children by Santrock)

• Critical thinking involves grasping the deeper meaning of ideas, keeping an open mind about different approaches & perspectives, and deciding for oneself what to believe or do.
• We can analyze, infer, connect, synthesize, criticize, create, evaluate, think, or rethink.
• Justify your opinions. Support them with evidence.
• Use constructive questioning, constructive criticism, and constructive commentary.
• Strive to develop open-mindedness, intellectual curiosity. Wonder, probe, question, inquire.
• Ask yourself, "Why is that?" Then try to find the answers through your research and through exchanges with other people.
• When problem-solving, planning, and developing strategies, you can set goals, find direction, and seek outcomes.
• Practice intellectual carefulness. Check your own work for inaccuracies, be precise, be organized. Proofread what you write and make sure you said what you wanted to say in an articulate, literate way.

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Nicenet Posting Examples

The following are examples of postings that were done on Nicenet during a previous Internet class. The students put a lot of thought into these comments and it should help you see the quality of discussion messages I expect to see.

• Example Of An Original Posting:

  "http://nces.ed.gov/pubs98/violence

  This Internet site from the Bureau of Justice gave statistics on National Crime Victimization by age. The years shown were from 1973 to 1998. The 16-19 year old age group had the highest violent crime rate. The lowest rate belongs to 65+ year olds. By looking over the statistics one could tell that our nation’s violent crime rate has mostly declined over the years. However, during the early 90's it shot up again across all age groups, then began dropping again in 1998. It is assumed that the crime rate is actually much higher because of under-reporting out of fear of retaliation. The report says that 1,000 crimes per 100,000 students were reported in our nation’s public schools, with city schools having a higher rate of serious violence than rural schools.

  This is intriguing to me, and yet it also depresses me. I strongly feel like the school systems across America should have some control given back to them. Everyone looks to teachers to change the world, but these days teachers are afraid to hug little kids or to discipline them because they are concerned about lawsuits. Things have really changed just since I attended elementary, and I don’t think they’ve changed in a positive direction. I wonder if these crime rates would drop even more if teachers could be more affectionate with children, to be their friend instead of just a distant authoritarian figure."

• Example Of A Reply:

  "We agree that there need to be measures to curb acts of violence, disruptions, within our school systems. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for a lawsuit, sometimes not. The truth usually prevails, though not always. I’m guessing that you support corporal punishment. I cannot agree with corporal punishment. Something needs to change, but I would find it disturbing if the government decided to combat these wrongs by installing a policy of getting tough and using corporal punishment as a means to achieve the goal desired. I will not roll the dice when it comes to trusting a person I do not know to execute physical punishment on my child. Think about it."

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Responding To Other Students Postings

When you reply to another student's post, give a six-to-ten sentence response using the same criteria as above. Remember when you respond to a posting, be sure to click on Reply so that your response can be seen and you get credit for it.

When you respond to another post, it’s fine to have a different opinion or view of the topic. In fact, considering other points of view is one of the most exciting and stimulating aspects of learning. Sometimes listening to others changes our perspective. Other times we will reinforce our original position. Just remember to disagree agreeably. Don’t use personal insults such as "That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard!" Do use courtesy with phrases such as "My research or experience shows just the opposite."

Remember, there are real people in the class, and don’t say anything online that you wouldn’t say in a traditional classroom setting. Keep in mind that this class has a wide range of students, from teenagers to middle-agers who may be grandparents, people of various races, religions, cultures and lifestyles.  It’s easy to feel that everyone else in the group is just like you, so you refer to other types of people as "them", but this isn’t so. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. as Aretha sings, and the Bible’s Golden Rule will serve us well here.

Part of your class participation will involve surfing the Internet by following Internet links. Locate the information that is included in the posts. You will read far more than you can possibly share online. If you read a great ten-page article, don’t send it to the class as an e-mail attachment or paste it in the Internet Classroom Assistant (ICA) on Nicenet. Read the article, then summarize it briefly in just a few sentences and post that information. Pretend you are telling a friend in person what you read, what was especially interesting to you, and things that your Internet friends would want to hear.

Summary

Use a combination of your personal knowledge and opinions, textbook, Internet resources, other books and printed materials to share information you have found. Ask questions to your fellow students, and respond to their questions and comments. I will jump in from time to time, but I want to see what you as a student group can do. Your grade will depend on the quality of your postings as well as the quantity.

I hope all these suggestions help you have a pleasant experience with our online discussion. Feel free to ask other questions as they arise. Here’s to a great semester!

Mrs. Wells