Where the heck to do I go?

Designated areas within our D2L classroom

When electronic chatrooms, blackboards, and posting software came about they were reasonably primitive like long, continuous e-mails. When these mediums were used for instructional purposes, it became increasingly apparent that things had to change because what youd end up with was a big fat mess of lots of endless postings.

D2L is information management software used throughout the UW System. It is self-contained housed in and operated from Madison. It is fairly rudimentary and not intuitive in any way, it is not glitzy, nor should you make the mistake of thinking it obeys the rules of other software. Yes, it needs improvement, but right now it is the best device we have for managing online conversations.

A Visual Metaphor: Try to think of our space as a small building with different floors and rooms. I have designated different rooms for certain activities and we have formal areas and informal areas.

Designated areas within D2L Discussions

Note: Periodically I will disappear different sections so that our space is less cluttered.

1. Biographies - Telling us about yourself - Open to all

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you - Write a short biography. You can use straight facts, descriptive passages, outlines, poetry, or other imaginative methods to inform classmates about yourself. When you read about others, if the spirit moves you, please respond and look for and comment on commonalities.

2. Segments 1-5 Specific areas for discussions among and between POD members. Pod restricted

3. The General Forum - These are for our group discussions and open forums Open to all

Just like the ancient Roman Forum, this is our formal place of segment ending discussions. You will use this spot for focused formal conversations based on your must knows. What was most important in the Segment and what do you want to remember and/or share.

4. POD Webquest Discussion Areas for comments and required postings for each webquest. POD restricted.

5. Project reports The designated areas for posting project summaries and posting reactions to peer projects and reading others feedback and comments. Open to all

o Please upload your "Final Project Report Form #2" to this area for peer review and feedback. Please remember to respond to others' hard work!

o Final Project Report Form #1 is for Leslie and should be placed in the Dropbox

6. Let 's just chat -- for banter, chatter, inspiration, professional links, and recommendations, and offering help on problems outside content. Open to all.

Establishing a sense of community is important, even online. This area is designated to share professional questions, exchange banter, share stories and inspirational material, exchange professional resources, and to ask for peer help in finding information or solutions to professional problems. This area is where external banter takes place that if is off topic. Where folks offer advice to another and bring up education related issues like discipline.

7. Ask Leslie - the old cyber prof speaks - Please restrict this area to questions that all might be interested in. If you have personal questions, send those to me via e-mail and watch this area for answers. Open to all.

8. Beginning Area Message Board - As you enter the class's space, you will find a message board. I use this to post pertinent messages, and often my reactions to your work and discussions. Watch this area for reminders, summaries, general impressions, directed musings, prompts, and questions. You can react to my comments in the FORUM.

9. D2L Drop Box Designated areas for filing assignments -- this is not in the discussion area but in a separate file area -- see top navigation bar. Restricted access to individual class participants

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