Without the Community Web resource page, it would be difficult to organize and catalog resources found in the thicket of diffuse, unrelated information on the Internet. For example, a student can search the Community Web site to find all references to solar energy. To maintain the integrity of the data and the discussion postings, it is important that only actual participants have access to the project's data tables and discussion areas. The Community Web has an access control feature, which requires users to give an account name and password before they can enter discussion or data-sharing areas. This feature assures participants that they are communicating with fellow project members, and not the general public.
Testbed staff believe that such privacy helps build a successful learning community.
The Testbed for Telecollaboration is refining and designing new Community Web features. It is hoped that these features, in addition to the data sharing, communications, and on-line library will improve the environment in which telecollaboration takes place. The success of the Community Web will be measured by the number of thought-provoking discussions occurring in network science classrooms this year. Author Bob Coulter and Noel Wanner are Project Coordinators of Testbed for Telecollaboration.