Help Sheets

Computer requirements
Bookmarks and Favourites
Email
Email Discussion List
Online Forums
Chats

Computer Requirements
What Computer and Internet skills do I need to participate in this online event?

• a basic knowledge of computers
• using a web browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape

What hardware/software requirements do I need?
Any PC or Macintosh computer configured for either a modem dial-up or network connection to the Internet. Your Internet connection speed should be at least 28,800 bps for best results but it will still work (though slower) at a lower speed connection. You will also need www browser software like Internet Explorer v3.x or better OR Netscape v3.x or better.

Using Bookmarks and Favourites
You can use bookmarks and favourites to maintain a list of frequently used websites. This will save you considerable time entering URLs by hand.

How to use Bookmarks/Favourites

To open a website in the bookmark or favourite menu

We recommend you bookmark

Email
Email is a very quick and useful tool for electronic communications. There are many types of email software eg. Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook, Netscape, Hotmail etc. If you need help and assistance to use or set up an email account please contact:

• Someone in your local school
• Help section in your email software
• Kate Dibben kdibben@oac.sa.edu.au at the Open Access College

When sending and receiving emails:

• Make sure you know the age group you are communicating with
• Share all emails with others in your class and if you are worried about messages please talk with your teacher
• Never give out direct personal information such as full name, address or phone number.

We recommend that you use the school teacher email address for your reply address

Email Discussion List
What is an Email Discussion List?
A Discussion List is an automated email distribution system. People join (or subscribe to) a list and can send messages to it and receive messages posted by others. Lists are popular because they operate very simply through any email program. You can use a discussion list to participate in discussions on topics of interest and share resources and ideas with others and keep abreast of emerging trends and issues.

Teachers will be automatically subscribed to the Connect email discussion list at connect@edna.edu.au using their email address when they register. A welcome message will help provide information on how to participate. Once you have subscribed it's simply a matter of sending emails to the nominated list address. You will receive all the emails sent to that list by those who are subscribed to it. You can unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions at the bottom of the emails you receive.

The Connecting the Continent event will use the EdNA (Education Network Australia) http://www.edna.edu.au hosted discussion list software. Messages posted on EdNA email discussion groups must comply with the EdNA code of conduct. The code is based upon the principles of limiting participants exposure to harmful or unsuitable materials and protecting the freedom of expression of all individuals in our society. Contributions to EdNA email discussion groups should make a positive contribution to education in the schools sector and foster constructive exchanges. Contributions to EdNA email discussion groups should not:

• use obscene language;
• insult or attack others;
• be defamatory;
• involve or advocate illegal activities;
• illegal activities;
• violate human rights;
• violate copyright laws;
• display offensive and pornographic material;
• harm or disturb students;
• have depictions that condone or incite violence, particularly sexual violence;
• or portray persons in a demeaning manner.

How can you use an email discussion list with other teachers?

• Share resources and teaching methodologies with ohter teachers
• Networks of schools could set up a email discussion list to share information

Online Forums
What are web-based Discussion Forums?
Web-based discussion forums are another form of group communication. They are web-hosted services and you require a web-browser to participate. The Connecting the Continent event will use the EdNA (Education Network Australia) http://forum.edna.edu.au/ctc hosted discussion forum software.

How to use web-based discussion as a communication tool for your project?

Post (key-in) written messages on an electronic board that people can read and reply to at whatever time they like. It is sometimes called asynchronous discussion meaning it is time independent. For more information on how to use the EdNA discussion tool visit http://forum.edna.edu.au and read the online tutorial.

Chat
Chat is a real-time communication option that enables you to converse with others who are connected at the same time as you are. The Connecting the Continent event will use the EdNA (Education Network Australia) http://forum.edna.edu.au/ctc hosted chat software. These chat facilities are web-based and therefore are not as restrictive as other chat programs that conflict with network security services such as fire-walls. Chat is sometimes called synchronous (real time) discussion. For more information on how to use the EdNA chat tool visit http://forum.edna.edu.au and read the online tutorial.