My classes have just begun. My students will be introducing themselves in a
couple of weeks. Peace.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rodney D. Coates [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 8:44 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Getting our students involved..
>
> Hi, Rodney.  This is my last access to the Internet until 2/2.  Would you
> please post this to the instructors in the conflict resolution course.  I
> tried to do so, but must have the wrong address or lack of access because
> of
> my changed e-mail address.  Thanks.  Vince
>
>
>
> Hello, everyone!
>
> I had my first chance today to check out the TopClass entries for the
> conflict resolution course.  After February 2nd, I'll be able to check
> this
> regularly here from Palacky University in the Czech Republic.
>
> I think we need to agree on several things:
>
> 1.  Introductions.  I was disappointed to see so few students so far
> have
> introduced themselves to the rest, and that several of even those
> introductions were so short as to not be much of an introduction at all.
> Please encourage your students to give one-paragraph introductions of
> themselves.  One of the main purposes of this courses, indeed one of its
> special attractions, is for students to "talk" to one another across the
> miles and national boundaries and ultimately to work cooperatively with
> one
> another.
>
> 2.  Organized threads.  Too many students are simply posting new
> messages
> instead of replying under headings already devoted to that topic.  For
> example, the thread "INTRODUCTIONS" in caps should be what students reply
> to
> when introducing themselves.  That way all messages are thematically
> organized.  As the weeks flow by and students begin responding to
> others',
> if the messages are not so organized, it becomes difficult for readers
> to
> know what message the response is to.  So please try to have them
> "bunch"
> same-subject messages under one main thread.
>
> 3.  Intercampus discussions.  Please encourage your students to talk,
> argue,
> agree, discuss comments and issues that others present.  Let's try to
> make
> this lively.  It will be through such discussions that learn of
> different
> cultural viewpoints and begin to formulate some ideas of who might be a
> like-minded individual to pair up with later.
>
> 4.  Your ideas.  This is a cooperative venture, so if any of you have
> some
> good classroom teaching ideas on this topic, please share them.  If you
> have
> some thoughts on the Internet aspect of the class, please offer your
> thoughts/suggestions as well.
>
> Until next time,
> Vince Parrillo