Introduction
Professors often wish they had more class time to devote to student discussion. An online message board is one way that students can share their thoughts with you and their classmates without staying late or meeting outside of the set class time. A very easy way to create an online class message board is to use Nicenet, a free online service sponsored by Northwestern University. Nicenet allows professors to create message boards for each of their classes. Students can then go to these boards to discuss the class material, readings, lectures, or exchange ideas about the class in general.
That sounds great! How do I do it?
First, open up Internet Explorer (or Netscape, if you prefer) and enter this web address: http://www.Nicenet.org
You’ll see the following welcome screen. The instructions that follow are for professors that have never used Nicenet before and do not have a Nicenet username.
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If you already have a username and password, enter here. |
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Click here to join a previously created class. |
Click on the underlined Create a Class link.
You’ll see a standard “Start a Class” form now. Fill in the required information.
Username – This can be any username that isn’t taken.
Password – Your Nicenet password. You’ll need to remember this since you have to
login each time you visit Nicenet.
Class Name – This will be the name of your message board.
Optional Information: This information doesn’t have to be filled in, but if it’s not, you will be listed as “anonymous” when you post a message.
Email Address – The address you want to give to your students.
Email Conformation – The above email address again, just to make sure they get it
right.
First Name – Your first name.
Last Name – Your last name.
That’s it! Your class has been created! You should now have a confirmation message on your screen.
Be sure to write down the Class Code Shown!!
You’ll need to give this class code to all of your students so they can join the class. If they don’t have the code, they can’t read or post messages. Click the OK button to log into the class.