George Mason University

Reserving a Computer Classroom

In service of the technology and research learning-goals for English 101, we ask all 101 instructors to schedule one week's worth of classes (not necessarily all at once) in a computer classroom. English 302 classes also frequently schedule some time in an electronic classroom to aid in teaching research strategies. As you plan your syllabus, please leave room for these kinds of work-days.

If you would also like to hold some classes in a room where only you have web access (and the projector, etc.), you can also schedule time in one of our "smart" or "electronic" classrooms.

Please see the Computer Classrooms page, available in the Technology Resources section, about scheduling a computer classroom or electronic classroom for some dates this fall, and check the Announcements page for updates.

Blackboard

Blackboard course folders are automatically generated, so you do not need to request one. To view your course folders, go to http://courses.gmu.edu and log on using your Mason Mail username and password.

If you'd like some formal instruction in using Blackboard, you might consider signing up for one of the IRC's many workshops, which cover everything from using course management software such as Blackboard to image editing with Advanced Photoshop. Workshops are offered throughout the year, with a special focus on workshops during "BYTE Week," held right before the start of the semester. See links to their list of workshops at http://www.irc.gmu.edu/.

Online Discussion Resources

Mason does have an online bulletin-board-with-list-options software program, called TownHall. You can sign up for an account via the IRC pages.

If, instead, you'd like a regular listserv, you should send a request to listmgr@gmu.edu. Please include as much of the following information as you can:

• Proposed name of the list (course name if course related)
• A short description to be added as comments in the list header.
• Primary Owner's E-mail address and name
• Who can subscribe to the list?
  • By_Owner = Only the owner can add subscribers.
  • Public = Open, anyone can join.
• Who can post messages to the list?
  • Recommended: Private - Only members of the list can post to the list.
  • Public - Anyone can send.
• Would you like the listname published in the Online List Archives web page?
  • Yes = This list will be listed on the web site.
  • No = This list will not be listed on the web site.
• Who can view the online archives?
  • Public = Members and non-members can view the list archives.
  • Private = Only members of the list can view the archives.
• Who can view the list of subscribers?
  • Recommended: Owner = Only the list owner can view the list of subscribers.
• To whom should replies go?
  • List = Useful for discussions.
  • Sender = More appropriate for lists that are used for announcement
• Sponsoring organization or department?

It may take a week or so for your listserv to be established, depending on the time of year. The online information for running a listserv, located at http://listserv.gmu.edu is pretty accessible if you have some basic online-savvy and patience. The IRC also runs workshops on listserv creation and management.