the internet: a free and easy teaching tool

The Internet: A Free and Easy Teaching Tool

Adam Murray - Tokyo Denki University

Michael Stout - Toyo Gakuen University

Presentation Outline

Background Information Creating an Internet Community

Forums Blogs

Resources Dangers and Annoyances Conclusion

Internet Communities

Forums - Definition An Internet forum is a web application for holding

discussions and posting user generated content. Internet forums are also commonly referred to as web forums, message boards, discussion boards, (electronic) discussion groups, discussion forums, bulletin boards, fora (the Latin plural) or simply forums. The terms "forum" and "board" may refer to the entire community or to a specific sub-forum dealing with a distinct topic. Messages within these sub-forums are then displayed either in chronological order or as threaded discussions.

Source: Internet forum. (2007, November 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 04:58, November 18, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Internet_forum&oldid=172131246

Forums - Yahoo Groups Combines features of internet forums and e-mail discussion lists Basic Features:

Post by forum or member email account. Distributed by selectable option to the members, and archived in the group archive. No edit function except delete

Photo album (100MB): Organized into album/thumbnail structure File storage (100MB): Capable of storing any file format Link directory: Options for folders, text labels for each link. Poll: Members can created multiple-choice polls, including various

options for ID display. Member list: Scroll of registered member profiles, and the basics of the

information they provide. Calendar: Scheduling system for clubs with regular events. Promote: HTML box for website display (to join a group).


Yahoo Groups - Administration Owner/Managers (who can do post approval)

Invite more members by email Management of members (approve new members, delete

members). Options: Edit of the group homepage display text etc Post/Picture approval: It is possible to switch to strict moderation if

required. Web tools management: Options are Off, Public, Members,

Administrators.


Setting up a Yahoo Group:Step 1

Go to the yahoo groups homepage of your choice. Canada

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/ UK & Ireland http://uk

.groups.yahoo.com/ USA

http://groups.yahoo.com/ Japan

http://groups.yahoo.co.jp/

Setting up a Yahoo Group:Step 2

Sign in or create a yahoo account

Click “Start your group”

Setting up a Yahoo Group:Steps 3 - 5

•Select category

•Describe group

•Choose profile

Setting up a Yahoo Group:Final Steps - Customising the group

An example forum:2006 Kaede - a 1st year high school class

Forum used for: Integrating oral, reading, writing and computer studies

classes Storing class files distributing vocabulary lists and classroom task sheets General communication outside of school hours

Blogs

Teacher Blogs Teacher-centred

Often used to communicate outside the classroom

Student Blogs Student-centred

Often replace traditional writing assignments

Blogging Communities

Creating an Internet Community

Resources

groups.yahoo.com blogger.com wordpress.com / wordpress.org 21publish.com

Dangers and Annoyances

Groups Virii

Blogs Use of Cellphone addresses

Conclusion

the internet: a free and easy teaching tool

Education