Perhaps one of the ETL Program's most-used functions is a software package called "NetForum". We use it to create discussion areas in which the activities of the Virtual Classroom are conducted and for our various Student Lounge areas.
NetForum allows asynchronous communication to take place, somewhat like having people leave notes for each other on a blackboard. This permits you to leave a message, then to have others respond to it in minutes, hours, or even days.
NetForum is far easier to actually use than it is to explain, but some explanation is necessary. Let's first see
HOW IT WORKS, and then you can come back here for more information.
Welcome back!
You should have noticed that HTML codes are used within the text posted to NetForum, and hopefully you visited the page that showed how to create HTML codes and what those codes do. If you missed that link the first time, here's another chance. Take a look at http://www.gwu.edu/~etltech/htmlcode.htm. . .then come back here and we'll move along.
Welcome back again!
Ready to take a look at a practice NetForum? There's one just waiting for you to get on there and to GO WILD! We've also got an assignment for you to practice--one that you will later need to do for each of your classes. Get it right on the practice forum, cut'n'paste the text and HTML codes to a basic text editor, such as Notepad*, and you'll be able to do the first Virtual Classroom assignment for your course in just a matter of minutes! [*Wordprocessors, such as Word and Word Perfect, can put their own "hidden" codes into documents created on them. These codes can sometimes create problems within NetForum.]
Ready for Step Four? Let's GO WILD! in the
PRACTICE NETFORUM for awhile. Then, after you have practiced using NetForum and you have done the assignment that you will find under the first Topic Area, scroll down to the bottom of the Practice NetForum page to find a link to Step Five of the checkup Be sure to submit your "Student Biography" (Step Four) before you move on, though!
One last comment: when you get to the NetForums for your class, click on each topic, even if it says that there are no messages. Each topic has it's own information that you should read. Besides...if you are a LEADER, you should not mind being the first one to post something!