Electronic Communities in Writing Instruction:
A Beginners Guide

Intro

Teachers

Students

History

Texts

Introducing Classes to the Technology

The easiest way to introduce students to a web bulletin board is walk them through the process at the beginning of the semester. Write any necessary URL's on the board. Then have everyone log in at the same time, and if your web forum requires user ids and passwords, tell students what these are. Some students will get there faster than others and will ask you what to do next. Ask them to wait while others catch up, or to assist other students.

Once everyone has gotten to the bulletin board, have a brief writing assignment prepared. Have everyone start a new post, write the assignment, and then "post" or "send" it. That way, everyone has had experience sending a message, but they've also written for class. After that, ask them to read and reply to some of the messages. Alternately, you might have already posted a writing prompt, which they could reply to. Either way, you want to give them hands-on experience with creating replies as well as new messages.

Then explain any other features. For example, in WebCT the messages students have posted will not appear in the listing until they click on "Update Listing" or refresh the screen (They'll want to know why their messages don't appear in the listing immediately after being posted).

There is always a little chaos when students work at different speeds (some students may need reminded about their password, for example); it's normal, so if your first visit to the bulletin board doesn't go like clockwork, just ride it out and don't worry. Work your way around the room to answer individual difficulties/questions. If several students have the same questions, address your response to the whole class.

For the first week or so, give students some time in class to work on the bulletin board. This can be easily accommodated if you ask them to do their in-class writing on the bulletin board (if you don't meet in a computer classroom, arrange to use some other lab). That way, you'll be there to answer any questions and reassure the technophobic.

At first, students may feel overwhelmed or frustrated if they don't feel comfortable with the computers; fortunately those feelings tend to dissipate quickly if students know you're there to help and that you won't leave them behind (and that nothing bad will happen) if they are still a little uncertain about how to use the technology.


Community Dynamics