Important tips for success

Important tips for success

As part of this class will be conducted online (you will be interacting with classmates through online discussions) it is important to think about how to communicate with the rest of the class in a thoughtful, respectful way. In addition, my expectations for the online component for this class are here. Finally, please read through the Internet safety tips. Please read over these tips. Let me know if you have any questions. Don´t hesitate to contact me via the Remind App or my email (ayork@pps.net).

Expectations for online parts of the class

To earn an A or B for this part of the online part of the class (such as blogging, podcasting, sharing resources online) there are several aspects that are required:

• All work needs to be submitted on time. Your participation impacts your learning, but also the learning of your classmates. They can´t reply to your thinking without seeing it first.
• All work needs to meet requirements. Usually that means making sure that you covered all the topics or the length specified. If you aren´t sure what the requirements are for the specific assignment, don´t hesitate to check in with me. 
• All work needs to show professionalism. Make sure that you spellchecked your work, that it is easily understood, and shows your best effort. Remember that you are an educator-in-training, so you are being asked to communicate in a manner that reflects your position.
• Finally, most of the time, the online components in the class are interactive. You will be sharing information and opinions with your classmates. Provide your peers with questions or prompts to share their ideas. Give specific examples and ask for the same from your peers. Support your thinking with quotes or information from sources we have read or watched in classes.

Online Etiquette or "Netiquette"

Below are tips on how to interact with each other in a respectful way.

1. Be respectful. Treat others how you would want to be treated.
2. Assume good intentions. Start by thinking that other people mean well.
3. Read over your posts. Try to read it how it would be read by others. For example, CAPS LOCK is considered yelling.
4. People can´t hear your tone nor see your body language--they can only read your words. If you are making jokes, make sure that you are letting others know that. Try to limit sarcasm as it is so hard to decipher it without tone and facial expressions!
5. Everything that you write can be read by anyone--make sure that you are okay with any of your work being read. Don´t post things that you aren´t okay with having anyone read.
6. Stay on topic.
7. Give examples and be specific!

For more information, some suggested sites to read include:

• Top 5 Etiquette Rules for Online Students
• 15 Rules of Netiquette for Online Discussion Boards

Internet Safety

How can you stay safe on the Internet? 

1. Don´t give out personal information such as your last name, address, phone numbers or any other information that is private. 

2. Make sure your screen name doesn´t have personal information such as your birth name or last name.

3. Keep your passwords safe. Don´t share them. At the same time, keep track of your passwords!  Make sure that you log out after you are done.

4. Don´t automatically download attachments if you don´t know where they are from.

5. If someone is harassing or bullying you on-line, tell someone like a parent, teacher, or administrator. If you can, block the person. Don´t respond to the messages. 

For more information, some suggested sites to read include: 

• Tips for Safe Social Networking for Teens
• Internet Safety Tips for Teens