Participation in a news group is a new experience to some students and in the past this uncertainty has led students to choose the term paper option. I enjoy participating in a lively discussion with students rather than grading, often dry, term papers, and I think that most students, if they are able to access the internet will enjoy this option as well. To try and put students at ease with this option we are offering a 30 day guarentee so to speak. Try the news group for a few weeks. At the end of that time the TA's will provide each student with an evaluation of how they are doing.
Students have the option at that point to carry on in the news group or do the term paper.
As the internet is the only communication that these students have with the course, they must participate in the news group, to ensure that they remain connected with the instructor and their fellow students. This course has been designed to foster interaction between students and instructors, and to encourage use of Internet resources. It provides a means for course members to share ideas, opinions, and resources. I hope to encourage constructive exchange of ideas in this course. Please show respect for the opinions of others at all times, even if you do not agree with their ideas.