49.311A*

5

A note about our use of the World Wide Web
For many of you, using the web extensively for a course will be a new experience. I expect that for some students there may be some reluctance to take the time to learn how to do this. Some may even question the value of doing this. You may be asking, "Why not just write on paper?"

There are a number of reasons why I use the Web to enhance learning. First, assignments should not be written for the instructor alone. A single, paper copy of an assignment or journal entry limits potential readers - usually to just the instructor. We learn a great deal from one another, and the Web provides each student with learning opportunities that a "paper-and-pen" approach does not. By posting your journal entries on the web for example, other students can read, learn from and even comment on (using our CHAT newsgroup) your analysis for the week. Second, psychologists and educators know that distributed practice or learning over time is more effective than mass practice. So, completing assignments such as the Learning Journal weekly is very important. I use the Web in order to facilitate my access to your weekly work. It just isn't possible to collect and return journals weekly otherwise. Third, the Web provides a unique medium for collaboration in group work as it is built on a structure of links (i.e., hypertext links) that allow individuals to work independently to some extent and at different times, but still be able to link the work together into an integrated whole. (For those interested, two of my students and I have written a paper on this sort of collaboration which will be published in Teaching of Psychology. I would be happy to provide you with a copy. You could also see the following Web sites for examples of student web sites that incorporate this approach - http://www.carleton.ca/~tpychyl/03100.htmlor
http://www.carleton.ca/~tpychyl/mini.html). Finally, Web-mediated communication represents a new medium for the dissemination of ideas and a new genre for writing. I believe that working in this medium is an important part of your overall education.

If you wish to discuss this with me further, please see me during office hours or e-mail me at tpychyl@ccs.carleton.ca or post your comments to the course newsgroup. Please understand, however, that the Web-based work is a required part of the course.

Grades
Grades will be posted on the course Web site by student number only. I will update these weekly in terms of journal entries and after each multiple-choice test or presentation.

A note about plagiarism . . .
It is an instructional offense to use or pass off as one's own an idea or product which is the work of another without expressly giving credit to that other. If identical entries are found in assignments, journals, web sites or exams submitted by two different students, or the entries replicate the work submitted by a student in a previous year, a grade of zero will be entered for the students involved. In addition, the Dean's Office will be notified that an instructional offense has occurred.

Academic Accommodations
Students with a disability who require academic accommodations, please feel free to come and discuss this with me. Students must also contact the Paul MentonCentre to complete the required forms as soon as possible, and no later than October 9th for final exams.