Exploiting the Internet in Middle and High School
Facilitator: Michael Krauss, AES, Lewis & Clark College

To create an account (you only need to do this once):

1. Go to NiceNet.
   
   
2. Find the sidebar "New Users Start Here." Click under "Students" - "Join a Class." Type in the alpha-numeric "key." For this class, the "key" is: S88369S30. Type it in exactly. Double check your accuracy. (or even better--highlight the key, choose "Edit" menu and "Copy." Then in the box for the key, place your cursor, then choose "Edit" menu and "Paste." NOTE: The letter "o" will not substitute for the number zero. You only need to use this key to register one time. After you have successfully registered, you will always enter the conference as a "current user." (see below)
   
   
3. After you type in the "key," and click on "Join the class," you will see a screen with several dialogue boxes asking for "Username," "Password," and "Optional Information." In the username box, put in your last name. In the password box, make one up. Put in a word or string of letters and numbers that you are likely to remember. But just in case, write down your password and username on a piece of paper where you will be able to find it later. Write down that password. Write it down now. Seriously :-)
   
   
4. Provide your first name, last name, and e-mail address in the "Optional Information" section. NOTE: Append your teaching area to your last name. Ex: joneshistory or smithscience or harrisesl. When you post comments, others will be able to see your teaching area.
   
   
5. You will see a new page with information. Read it. Then click on the button that says Finish Registration. Nicenet will ask you again for your "Username" and "Password" in order to log you in for the first time. Enter this information, then click on the button that says Log In to the ICA.
   
   
6. Congratulations. You have arrived! You will see "Home-Scenarios." You will see your last name (with your content area appended) under the NiceNet logo. In the left sidebar, you will see the basic components that are available in NiceNet. You will be using "Conferencing" most. Click the "Conferencing" link.

1. Go to the NiceNet. In the right sidebar, you will see "Current Users Log In."
   
   
2. Enter your "Username" and "Password." Click the "Log In" button.
   
   
3. You will see "Home-Scenarios." You will see notices of postings since you last logged in.

1. Click on the "Conferencing" link in the left sidebar.
   
   
2. You will see all of the Topics available.
   
   
3. Click on the Topic related to the assignment you are working on. The Topics will be listed from top to bottom in the order you cover them in the course.
   
   
4. The first message posted, with Michael Krauss as the author, will be the initial question to be answered for that particular Topic. Click on the subject of the message (it will be a link) and the message text will appear.
   
   
5. NOTE: Don't use the Reply button to post your comment. Instead do use the "Post New Message to <topic>:" button. If you use this button, your comment will be posted to the far left margin in NiceNet and when people reply to you, the threading will make it easy to see which replies are connected to which postings.
   
   
6. You *must* enter a Subject and "Message Text" before posting.
   
   
7. Type your comment in the box, click "Post New Message" when done.
   When the screen refreshes, your posting should appear in the list of comments.

1. Click on the "Conferencing" link in the left sidebar.
   
   
2. Click on the Topic you wish to explore.
   
   
3. Click on the message link you want to read.
   
   
4. Click on "Show First Reply" or "Show All Replies." You can move between replies using the "Next" and "Previous" links.
   
   
5. To write your response, click on "Reply."
   
   
6. Click in the "Message Text" box. Type your response.
   
   
7. When you have finished, click on "Post New Message." Your reply should be nested under the comment you replied to.

"Topic" refers to the broad category, e.g. "Scenarios: Teachers using Technology, OSU, 12/12/03 " "Subject" refers to something you choose to talk about within a given "Topic". Your workshop leader has set preferences in NiceNet to allow participants to create new "Topics" as well as new "Subjects." Clear as mud?!)

1. To begin a discussion on a new subject within an existing "Topic," use the "Post New Message to:" button.
   
   
2. You *must* enter a Subject and "Message Text" before posting.
   
   
3. Type your comment in the box, click "Post New Message" when done.
   
   
4. To begin a brand new Topic, click the "Create a New Topic" link. Complete the "Topic Name" box. Click "Add Topic."
   
   
5. Fill in the "Subject" box and "Message Text" box. Click "Post New Message" to send your comment to NiceNet, which will appear under the new Topic heading your created.

1. Click on the "Conferencing" link in the left sidebar. Choose your topic of interest.
   
   
2. To read messages in random order: click on the name of the poster.
   
   
3. To move sequentially from one "thread" to the next, use the "Previous" and "Next" links.
   
   
4. To move sequentially through all the message in one "thread" (a message and all of its responses), click on the first message. Then click "Show All Replies" and then just scroll through the message one by one.

If you have problems with NiceNet, or if any of these instructions are not clear, please Email me at krauss@lclark.edu so we can resolve the problems and I can edit these instructions. Thanks!

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Created by: krauss@lclark.edu
Updated: 12/10/03