newsgroups

=NEWSGROUPS=

Author(s): Sue Bassett Last updated on 14 May 2012 by Dr Sahar Abdul-Rasool

1. Definition
Many people don't use this tool simply due to a lack of understanding of what it is and what it can do...

Newsgroups were originally part of a worldwide network of discussion groups known as Usenet. A common analogy used to describe newsgroups is "online bulletin boards". Newsgroups, or groups in short, are discussion forums that allow people in different locations to exchange ideas on a topic of mutual interest. Messages, articles, photos etc. (called //articles// or //posts//, and collectively termed //news//) may be posted to these groups by people who have access to the appropriate software. These are then broadcast to other users of the group via a network. Newsgroup servers are hosted by various organizations and institutions. Some newsgroups are moderated, so the information is first sent to the moderator(s) for vetting before it appears on the newsgroup.

Newsgroups are text-based discussions on the internet that are based on a particular topic. Once a newsgroup is accessed, different discussion headings for the various messages may be browsed before selecting the messages to be read. After reading the message, a response may be posted or a new topic can be opened for discussion. The response may be sent directly to the author's email address, to the newsgroup, or both. If it is only posted to the newsgroup, the message does not appear in anyone else's email. The same message may even be posted to more than one newsgroup at a time. People can only view messages if connected to the newsgroup that the message was posted to.

Newsgroups afford people to communicate informally. It is not face to face, which can be daunting for some, and can be done in one's own time. However, if not structured appropriately, it enables learners to write without reflection and could foster superficial, unfocussed discourse.

2. Examples of products (open source/free or commercial)
Participation in a newsgroup requires a special type of software known as a newsreader. For most internet users, this is a part of a web browser such as Internet Explorer. There are many portals on the internet through which free newsgroups may be established and/or accessed, including Usenet.org, Google Groups and Yahoo! Groups. Google Groups is explained in more detail at [].

Usenet does not allow commercial messages and no advertising is allowed for most individual newsgroups. However, business (commercial) newsgroups generally welcome and encourage commercial discussions. Probably the best known commercial Usenet provider in Europe is UseNeXT, which provides a 30 day free trial. Other commercial sites include Giganews, Binverse, AltBinaries, Thundernews, Supernews and many, many more. The advantage of commercial newsgroups is that the information is secured, the files are available for a long period of time and can often be downloaded at maximum DSL speed.

My exposure to newsgroups is limited to Freecycle Cape Town, a newsgroup hosted by Yahoo! Freecycle is an international network which promotes waste reduction by reusing items, thus keeping "good stuff" out of land fills. Members can offer items they no longer need to others to collect it for free. One person's trash is another's treasure! Many people post items to give away, but just as many more ask for items and often get them! From it's inception in the USA, the Freecycle concept has spread to over 85 countries, where there are thousands of local groups representing millions of members. If you are not a member of Freecycle Cape Town, join now, it's free!

The most simplest use of a newsgroup in Teaching and Learning is as a bulletin board - for posting information that is to be shared with all members of the group. Newsgroups provide ways for students to contact one another in a very informal way. In a sense, it extends the casual environment of the classroom online. Also, it lets the class (including the lecturer) learn who everyone is!

The lecturer usually moderates the newsgroup, but this is not always the case. Discussion forums may be established in which various topics may be explored, which can be led by lecturer or learner alike. Learners may post questions clarifying assignments, lab reports, learning scope, test questions etc. and anyone else can respond to the posting to offer solutions or point to reference material. The possibilities are endless.

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Revealing information about yourself... Whenever you post your words, images, videos etc., are available for anyone to see, even when are responding to a particular individual’s posting. Basic rule: - never reveal identifying information about yourself;=====
 * =====posting something usually makes your E-mail address available to the public; your address will be available for others to send “junk” or inappropriate E-mails.=====
 * =====some newsgroups contain sexually explicit illustrations, photographs, and stories; Some of this material may be illegal especially if it contains images of people who are younger than the age of 18 or certain other material that has been defined as “obscene.”=====

5.Applications in higher education
In an educational environment, newsgroups can be employed for two major tasks: First of all, they can assist in retrieving information (e.g. simply by reading articles posted to a newsgroup on a certain subject or by asking for help by posting articles). In addition, newsgroups can support both intercultural communication (e.g. in foreign language courses) as well as cooperation between regionally dispersed students/schools (e.g. in larger projects and assignments).

[|The use of Youtube in Anatomy Education by Dr Akram Jaffar]

6. Other resources (articles, guides, videos, examples...)
//Provide links to other resources that you have found in your online search, such as articles, studies, videos, examples, images of your tool/technology.//

//EVALUATING ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUMS// by M.K. Barbour at []

//SPEAKING OF TEACHING//, a Stanford University Newsletter at []

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