Who can access what?
3 min read
This site is set up with some access restrictions that give teachers more rights than students. This is not because we have any deeply (or shallowly) rooted beliefs in the inherent primacy of the teacher class, but because students and teachers will have different roles on the site. Most of the limitations concerning where students can post have more to do with limiting any potential confusion that could arise from putting content in the wrong area than with any desire to prevent students from doing anything.
Students can create content in the following areas:
Blog Posts:
- Work for review -- students will use their blogs to respond to class assignments and, where appropriate, post these responses for peer review
Photo Galleries:
- Student Photos -- the student photo section can be used as a place for students to post pictures to share with the class as part of a larger assignment. For example, in a History class, students could be assigned to research photos of propaganda posters, and post the images on the site. Then, their classmates would need to identify (by commenting on the photo) the various elements that contribute to the message of the propaganda.
Forums:
- Help -- students use this section to ask for and receive help from their classmates outside of class time. The teacher can also use this area to get a clearer sense of where students need additional support.
- Class Notes -- this section can be maintained either by students or the teacher. Ideally, students will post and revise notes (through comments) over time. This section can also be an invaluable aid when students have excused absences.
- Group Work -- students use this section to collaborate and share documents and info while working on group projects. Over time, posts will need to be deleted from this forum to reduce clutter (and save disk space) from posts related to completed group projects.
Pages:
- Student -- all Pages posted by students will be in the "Student" section. This section will be used as an area where students can post longer term, collaborative projects. Students can edit their own pages and, where applicable, the pages of other group members.
What teachers can do that students can't:
Blog Posts:
- From the teacher -- used for class announcements, or other issues of classroom business that are only appropriate coming from the instructor
Photo Galleries:
- Photos for Review -- for the instructor to post pictures to be reviewed by the class
Forums:
- Assignments -- only teachers will be posting assignments. This will save many students much hassle on April Fools Day, if at no other time.
Pages and Book Pages:
- Teacher -- this section allows the teacher to create tutorials, instructions, and other course materials that are distinct from student posts.
