Know the Rules Before You Use the Tools: Student Guide to ...

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Know the Rules Before You Use the Tools:

Student Guide to Project Share

The Texas Education Agency©2011 Texas Education Agency/University of Texas at Austin

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Project Share is a group-learning website that lets you create, explore, and learn in an online classroom. Project Share is also a place for you to store and share your achievements, cooperate with classmates, and communicate with your teachers. Use this guide to get to know Project Share and discover a whole new world of learning.

I. Welcome to Project Share

©2011 Texas Education Agency/University of Texas at Austin

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Table of Contents

I. Welcome to Project Share

II. A Student Guide to Project Share

III. Project Share Glossary

IV. Project Share Student Code of Conduct•Netiquette• Cyberbullying• Plagiarism/Copyright•HidingYourPersonalInformation• StudentUsageGuidelines

V. Using Project Share•MyPortal• FileManager• ShareIt• CreatinganePortfolio• ContactInfo•WelcomeNotes• Pictures/Videos•QuickLinks• Showcase•Options• Interests• Themes• PreviewePortfolio• JoiningaGroupinEpsilen• CreatingGroups• SearchingGroups• Calendar

VI. Taking a Course in Epsilen• CourseTools• EpsilenMail• TakeNotes

VII. Project Share Frequently Asked Questions

VIII. More Resources


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1. Always keep the purpose of the Project Share platform in mind.ProjectShareisfirstandforemostatoolforlearning.TakeatourofProjectShare/Epsilen,readhelpdocuments,andexploretheplatformbeforeyoubeginusingthetools.Knowingtheenvironmentwillmakenavigatingthesiteeasierandallowyoutofocusontheworkathand.ProjectShareisnotyourFacebookpage,norisitasocialnetworkingsite.Itisatoolfordoingyourschoolwork.

2. Avoid hurting someone’s feelings.Don’tmakefunofsomeoneelse’sthoughtsoropinions.RespectingyourclassmateshelpsensurethateveryonecanmaximizetheirlearningwithinProjectShare.Remember,thepersonontheotherendofadigitalcommunicationcan’tseeyourexpressionorhearyourtoneofvoice.Peoplecan’ttellwhenyouarejoking.

3. Respect other people’s online rights.PeopleontheInternethaverightsjustastheydoineverydaylife,andtheyshouldfeelsafewhenworkingonline.Inotherwords,theyshouldnothavetodealwithcyberbullies.Cyberbullyingis“willfulandrepeatedharminflictedthroughtheuseofcomputers,cellphonesandotherelectronicdevices”(http://www.safeinyourspace.org/studentscyberbullying.asp).Don’tuseobsceneorhurtfullanguage.Don’tdoittosomeoneelse,andifsomeonedoesittoyou,reportit.It’snotokay.

4. Be sure to observe Internet safety. SetallofyourProjectShareaccountpermissionsto“private”unlessyourteachergivesyoupermissiontomakesomethingpublic.CheckouttheTexasEducationAgency’sInternetSafetysite:http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=2147488069formoreinformationaboutInternetsafety.

5. Be responsible online.Respectother’sprivacyandyourown.Don’tuseyourfullnameorputanypersonalinformation,suchasyourProjectSharepassword,homeaddress,e-mail,orphonenumberswhereotherscanseethem.Protectyourselffromidentitythieves,cyberbullies,andotherswhomighthaveharmfulintentions.

6. Don’t use copyrighted information as your own.Moststudentsdon’tsetouttocheat,butsometimesithappenswhentheydon’tunderstandthatcopyingtext,images,andgraphicsfromtheInternetwithoutcitingthesourceisplagiarism.Copyinganyoneelse’sworkfromabook,amovie,ajournal,orapaperfromafriendorfromtheInternetwithoutgivingcreditisnotokay.Thesafestwaytoavoidplagiarismistodoyourownworkandtogiveoutsidesourcescreditwhenyouusethem.

7. Adjust your tone and style to the situation. WhenyouwritetootherProjectSharemembers,followthesameguidelinesyourclassroomteachersaskyoutofollow.Spelloutwordsandavoidabbreviationsusedintextingandchatsituations.Forexample,write“bytheway”insteadof“btw.”AvoidIM,texting,orothersuchactivitieswhileworkingonalesson.Usecorrectgrammarandspelling,anduseupperandlowercaseletters.Itisagoodideatousespellcheckandreadovereverymessagebeforesendingorpostingit.

8. Remember that E-mail and other electronic devices are never really private and messages may exist in cyberspace . . . forever.ThinkofanelectronicmessageasapostcardbeingsentthroughtheU.S.PostalService.Yourmessagecanbeseenbyanyonewhohandlesthepostcard.Here’sagoodruleofthumb:Don’tputitinane-mail,post,comment,forum,wiki,etc.,ifitshouldn’tbesaidoutloudinclass.

9. Follow the acceptable use policy of your district.YouaresubjecttotheAcceptableUsePolicy(AUP)ofyourdistrict.Studentswhoviolatetheirdistrict’sacceptableusepolicyinthisonlineplatformmayforfeittherighttouseProjectShare.Inaddition,violatorsmayfaceothersanctionsdeemedappropriatebydistrictadministration.

II. A Student Guide to Project Share Know the Rules Before You Use the Tools


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blog anonlinediaryorjournal

download tocopyafilefromawebsiteandsaveitonyourcomputer

ePortfolio awebpageordocumentthatlistsaccomplishments,writingexamples,andcreativeprojects

forum anonlinemeetingplaceormessageboardwhereideascanbeexchanged

instant messaging (IM) anInternettoolthatletstwoormorepeoplequicklysendandreceivetextmessages

netiquette asetofrulesandgoodmannerstousewhileyouareontheInternet

online course acourseormodulethatyoutakeontheInternet

résumé adocumentthatshowsyourworkexperienceorschoolachievements

toolbar arowofbuttonsonawebsitethatmoveyoufromoneareatoanother

upload tocopyafilefromyourcomputerandsaveittoawebsite

wiki adocumentorwebpage,likeWikipedia,thatiscreatedandupdatedbymanypeople

III. Project Share Glossary Important online learning terms that will help you use Project Share.


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Youmightnotrealizeit,butyouarealreadyanexpertinetiquette.

Youhavegreatmannersatschoolandhome,butyoumightneedtolearnaboutgoodonlinemanners.Netiquette(Internet+etiquette)isasetofrulesormannersyouneedtofollowwhileyouareontheInternet.

Project Share Netiquette• Alwaysproofreadyoure-mailsbeforeyouhitsend.Youcanfixspellingor grammaticalerrorsbeforeanyoneelseseesthem.Unclearsentencesshould berewritten.• Onceyousendane-mail,yourmessageisnolongerprivate.Don’twrite anythingthatyouwouldn’twantyourfriends,family,andteacherstosee.• Replytoe-mailsandothermessagesassoonaspossible.• Neverhackanotherperson’saccount.• Askpermissionbeforeyouforwardaconfidentialmessage.• Whenyouinvitesomeonetochat,makesurethepersonhasfreetimeandthatyouarenotinterruptinghimorher.

• Alwayscommunicateinawaythatwillnotembarrassyouorleadtobeing disciplinedbyateacheroradministrator.

CyberbullyingCyberbullyingoccurswhensomeoneuseschatrooms,e-mail,andinstantmessagingtobullyanotherperson.CyberbulliessometimesusetheInternetorcellphonestohurtotherpeople’sfeelingsorreputations,ortotrickthem.

MakingthreatsusingacellphoneortheInternetisagrowingproblemandmanystates,includingTexas,havemadecyberbullyingacrime.Ifacyberbullyannoysyou,don’tretaliate.Reportallcyberbullyingtoateacheroradministrator.

BesuretouseyourbestonlinebehaviorandtreatallProjectShareuserswithrespect.Rudeposts,meanmessages,andembarrassingimageshavenoplaceinProjectShare.

Plagiarism/CopyrightPlagiarismiscopyingsomeone’swordsorideasandpretendingthatthey’reyourown.Itisveryimportanttoyourteachersthatdoyouownwork.Ifyouarecaughtplagiarizing,youmighthavetoredoyourassignment,receiveafailinggrade,orworse.Herearesomewaystoavoidplagiarism:

ParaphraseParaphrasingisdifferentfromplagiarizingbecauseyouaredescribinganotherwriter’sideasusingyourownwordsinsteadofjustcopyingwordforword.Evenwhenyouparaphrase,youmustgivecredittotheauthor.

IV. Project Share Student Code of Conduct


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Credit the AuthorYoushouldalwaystellyourreaderswhenyouborrowanidea.Thereareseveralwaystogivecredittotheauthor.Inmostcases,yourteacherwillgiveinstructionsonhowtocredittheauthor.

Cite SourcesWhenyoucitesources,youcreatealistofbooks,papers,andarticlesthatyouusedtocompleteanassignment.Youcanalsomarkwhereyouusedeachsourceinyourtext.Formoreinformationaboutcitingsources,refertostyleguidesprovidedbytheModernLanguageAssociation(www.mla.org),theChicagoManualofStyle(www.chicagomanualofstyle.org),ortheAmericanPsychologicalAssociation(www.apastyle.org).

Keep Your Secrets SecretInternetsafetybeginswithprotectingpersonalinformation.Herearesomegoodrulesforkeepingyourpersonalinformationsafe: • Don’tcommunicatewithanonlinestranger.Yourteacherwillletyouknow whoitisokaytocommunicatewith. • Nevershareyoure-mailaddress,phonenumber,orsocialnetworking informationtoanyoneyoudon’tknow. • Nevergiveyourpasswordinformationtoanyoneotherthanyourparentsor guardians. • Ifsomeonemakesyoufeeluncomfortable,tellanadult.


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V. Using Project ShareBeforeyoucanenterProjectShare,youneedastudentaccount.OnceyoulogintoProjectShare,youwillseeyourMyPortalpage.Fromthispage,youcanreadmessagesandnewsfromteachersandclassmates.ThetoolbardisplaysthetoolsthatwillhelpyounavigatethroughProjectSharetogettoyourcourses,ePortfolios,orgroups.Yourdistrictwilldecidewhichtoolsareavailabletoyou,soyourtoolbarmightlookdifferentthantheoneshownbelow.

My NetworksUseMyNetworkstocreateandmanagelistsofcontactswithintheEpsilensystem.

CalendarTheCalendartoolwillhelpyouplanforassignments,tests,andpersonalevents.Ifyouviewyourcalendarfromacoursepage,youseethatcourse’sevents.IfyouviewyourcalendarfromyourMyPortalpage,youseebothyourpersonaleventsandeventsfromallofyourcourses.

GroupsTheGroupstoolallowsEpsilenmemberstoshareinformationandcollaborateinastructuredenvironment.BeingpartofagroupallowsyoutoworktogetherwithotherProjectSharemembersonprojects.

Share ItYoucanshareyourworkwithotherProjectSharememberswiththeShareIttool.Otheruserscanusethistooltocollaborateonthedocumentsyoushare.

Time TrackerTimeTrackercanbeusedtorecordthetimeyouspendonacourse,project,oranythingelseyouwouldliketomeasure.

Take NotesUsetheTakeNotestooltorecordyourthoughts.Everynoteyoutakewillbesavedsoyoucanreviewitlater.

DRAF

T Epsilen MailYoucanusetheEpsilenMailtooltosendandreadmessagesfromotherProject Shareusers.YouareabletocheckallofyourmailfromyourMyPortalpage,butonlymessagesfromyourclassmatesorteacherwhenyoucheckyourcourse’smail.

File ManagerUsetheFileManagertooltosaveandorganizeyourfiles.

Learning MatrixUsethistooltopresentyoureducation-alaccomplishmentsinagridformat.


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Contact InfoUsetheContactInfotooltokeepyourpersonalProjectShareinformationup-to-date.

Welcome NotesMakeannouncementsonyourePortfoliositewiththeWelcomeNotestool.

Pictures/VideosUsethePictures/VideostooltouploadpicturesandcreatelinkstovideosinyourePortfolio.Thistoolalsoletsyouchoosewhocanseeyourpicturesandimages.

QuickLinksTheQuickLinkstoolletsyousharelinkstoothersiteswithvisitorstoyourePortfolio.

RésuméUsethistooltomanagerésumésthatyouhaveuploadedorcreatedusingtheRésuméWizard.

ShowcaseTheShowcasetoolletsyoudisplayfiles,videos,images,orwebsitesthatyouhavecreatedinyourePortfolio.

BlogUsethistooltoshareideasandinformation.

Access KeysUsetheAccessKeystocontrolpermissionsforyourePortfolio,contactinformation,andfilecollections

InterestsUsetheIntereststooltoshareinformationaboutyourselfandyouracademicandcareergoals.

ThemesUsetheThemestooltochangethecolorandstyleofyourMyPortalandePortfoliopages.

My ePortfolioYourePortfolioisapagewhereyoucanshowoffyourachievements,awards,projects,andartworktootherProjectShareusers.Youcanalsopostnewsaboutyourself,futureschoolevents,oranythinghappeningaroundtheworld.YourdistrictwilldecidewhichePortfoliotoolsareavailabletoyou.


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VI. Taking a Course in EpsilenDependingonhowyourdistrictusesProjectShare,youmightbegivenanopportunitytoparticipateinanonlinecourseorcompleteanonlinelessonassignedbyyourclassroomteacher.Whenyoubeginworkinginonlinecourses,youcanchooseCourses fromthetoolbaronyourMyPortalpagetoseealistofcoursesthatyouaretakingandothercoursesthatyoucanjoin.

AnnouncementsReadimportantinformationaboutassignments,upcomingdeadlines,oreventswiththeAnnouncementstool.

Grade BookUsetheGradeBooktooltolookatassignmentandtestgrades.

Members TheMemberstoolshowswhoisinthecourse.Itlistsinstructors,students,andguests.

Tests and QuizzesUsetheTestandQuizzestooltotaketestsandquizzes.Youcanalsoreviewyourscoresandseethedatesoffuturetestsandquizzes.

Help FAQGototheHelpFAQpagetofindanswersto frequentlyaskedquestions(FAQs).Ifyoucan’tfindtheanswer,youcanaskyourteacherfor help.Ifyouandyourteacherneedadditionalhelp,youcanclickonHelpDesktosendyourquestiontoaProjectShareexpert.

SyllabusTheSyllabustoolshowswhatyouwilllearnwhileyoutakethecourse.Thesyllabuscanprovidelessondescriptions,importantdates,classrules,andhowassignmentswillbegraded.


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Lesson SectionTheLessonstooltellsyouwhatyouwilllearnineachsectioninthecourse.Clickonthenameofalessonsectiontobegin.

ResourcesResourcesarefiles,links,orothercontentthatcanhelpyoulearnmoreabouteachlesson.Somecoursesusethissectiontocitetheirsources.


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Q: How do I create my ePortfolio?Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:PersonalizeyourePortfoliobyaddingyourpictures,sharedfiles,QuickLinks (bookmarks),contactinformation,andmore.1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare.2.SelectMy ePortfolio.3.SelectatoolfromtheePortfoliolisttoedit.

Q: How do I create my Showcase? Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:UsetheShowcasetooltodisplayexamplesofyourbestworkandaccomplishmentsinamultimediaformatonyourePortfolio. 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.SelectMy ePortfolio > Showcaseintheleftmenu. 3.SelectAdd New Showcase

Q: How do I add pictures and videos to my ePortfolio? Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:Followthesesteps: 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.SelectMy ePortfolio > Welcome Notesintheleftmenu. 3.ClickAdd New Welcome NoteontheWelcome Notespage. 4.Enterthecontentofyourwelcomenoteandincludeanyofthefollowingitems:

Web Link •Toinsertahyperlink,selecttheiconthatlookslikeathree-linkchain. •Oncethepop-upwindowappears,entertheURL/webaddressandselectOK.

Picture •Toinsertapicture,selecttheiconthatlookslikeapictureofmountains. •Oncethepop-upwindowappears,clickthecirclenexttoSelectexistingpicture, thenclicktheSelect ExistingboxtoinsertapicturefromyourEpsilenFiles/Folders.

OR •ClickthecirclenexttoUpload New Picture.ThenclicktheUpload Pictureboxto uploadapicturefromyourcomputer.

OR •ClickthecirclenexttoUpload New File.ThenclicktheUpload Fileboxtouploada filefromyourcomputer.

YouTube Video SomedistrictsdonotallowYouTubevideo.Youmaybeblockedwhenyoutrytoembed thevideocode. •ToaddaYouTubevideo,selecttheiconthatreadsYouTube. •Oncethepop-upwindowappears,pasteintheHTMLcodeprovidedbyYouTubeforthevideo. •SelectInsert.

VII. Project Share Frequently Asked Questions


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Q: What is a QuickNote?Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:AQuickNoteisaformappearingatthebottomofyourePortfoliohomepage.ItpermitsvisitorstoquicklyandeasilysendyoumessagesviatheEpsilenenvironment.Sendersmustprovidetheirnameande-mailaddressalongwiththeirmessage.QuickNotemessageswillappearinyourinternalEpsilen Mail andmayalsobeforwardedtoanye-mailaddressdesignatedwithinEpsilen Mail > Options > Mail Forwarding.

Q: How can I hide the QuickNote form on my ePortfolio home page?Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:Followthesesteps: 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.SelectMy ePortfolio > Optionsintheleftmenu. 3.ClicktheQuickNote Hidingtabonthepage. 4.ChecktheboxtohidetheQuickNoteformonyourePortfoliohomepage.

Q: Why might I want to hide the QuickNote form on my ePortfolio home page? Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:WhiletheQuickNoteformrequiresthesendertoprovideanameande-mailaddress,thereisnoguaranteethatthenameore-mailaddressusedisaccurateorlegitimate.ThereisthepossibilityofmisuseoftheQuickNoteformbyanonymoussenders.

Q: How do I delete my Epsilen ePortfolio?Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:YourePortfoliocanbe“parked,”orhiddenfromviewsothatotherscannotseeit.ParkingyourePortfoliowillnotcancelyourEpsilen/ProjectShareaccount,butyoursitewillnotbevisible.Youcan stillaccessyouraccountand“un-park”yourePortfoliowebsiteatanytime. Topark(hide)yourEpsilenePortfoliowebsite: 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.SelectMy ePortfolio > Optionsintheleftmenu. 3.SelecttheePortfolio Parking (Hiding)tab. 4.ChecktheboxnexttoPark my ePortfolio Website.


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Q: How do I manage my Epsilen Mail? Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:UseEpsilenMailtosendandreceivemessagestoandfrommembersoftheEpsilen/ProjectSharecommunity,yourinstitution,groups,courses,andnetworks.TomanageyourEpsilenMail: 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.SelectEpsilen Mailfromtheleftmenu.OntheInboxpage,yourmessagesareseparatedbymailtype.Youwillseetabsfor:

• All Mail• QuickNotes• Epsilen Mail• Institution Mail• Course Mail• Group Mail• System Mail

Youwillalsoseetabsfor:• Archived messages• Sent messages• Alerts

Whenviewingalistofmessages,youcanselectmultiplemessagesatatimetodelete,archive,ormarkasread/unread.YoucanalsosortthelistofmessagesbyusingtheSort Bypull-downmenuintheupper-rightcornerofyourinbox.

Q: How do I manage and share my files? Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:UsetheFiles/Folderstooltouploaddocuments,pictures,schoolwork,andotherobjects.YoucansharethembyclickingtheShare ObjectsiconandselectingthegroupofProjectSharemembersyouwanttoviewyourfiles.Yourfileswillbeprivateifyoudonotselectanygroupsfromthelist.Tomanageyourfiles,followthesesteps: 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.Select Files/Foldersfromtheleftmenu.Followthedirectionsthatstate:“Toworkwithyour files,startbyselectingafolderfromthelistoffoldersontheleftorcreateafolderby clickingCreateFolder.”(TheCreate Folder buttonistotherightbelowthedirections.) 3.Usetheiconsonthepagetocompletethefollowingactions: Upload File(lookslikeagreenarrowpointingupward) •Uploaduptothree(3)filesatatimetotheselectedfolder. Create Folder(lookslikeafilefolderwithaplussigninthecorner) •Create a new folderinsidetheselectedfolder. Share Folder(lookslikeahandholdingoutafolder) •Sharethisfolderwithothers. Edit Folder(lookslikeapencil) •Editthenameanddescriptionoftheselectedfolder. Delete Folder (lookslikeatrashcan) •Deletetheselectedfolder.(Youcannotdeleteafolderifitcontainsanyfilesorsubfolders.)


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Q: How do I send an Epsilen Mail message?Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:Followthesesteps: 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.SelectEpsilen Mail > Send New Mailintheleftmenu. 3.OntheSend Epsilen MailMessagepage,selectthemessagerecipients. •SearchforEpsilen Members. •SelectEpsilen Members fromyournetworks. •Enterexternale-mailaddresses.Notethatyouwillnotbeabletosend attachmentsorsaveacopyofyoure-mailwhensendingEpsilenmailto externaladdresses. 4.Enterthemessagesubject. 5.Enterthemessage. 6.ClickSend.

Q: How do I change my password?Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines. A:Followthesesteps: 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.SelectChange Passwordfromtheleftmenu. 3.Enteryourcurrentpassword. 4.Enteranewpassword. 5.Reenterthenewpassword. 6.SelectUpdatetocompletechangingyourpassword.

Q: Can I keep my Epsilen account even after I graduate or leave my institution?A:EachEpsilenusermaymaintainhisorheraccountafterleavinganinstitution.Inthesecases,theuserwillbemigratedtothegeneralEpsilenenvironmentratherthancontinuingtobeassociatedwithaspecificdistrictoropenenrollmentcharter.

Q: How do I use the My Networks Tool?Ifthistoolisavailabletoyou,besuretofollowyourdistrict’sacceptableuseguidelines.A:TheMy Networks Tool allowsyoutoorganizeyourprofessionalnetworksofcolleagues,peers,orthoseyoumeetwithintheEpsilen/ProjectSharecommunity.Youcanconfigureeachnetworktorestrictaccesstoyourpersonalcontactinformationandfilecollections.Tocreateanewnetwork: 1.LogintoEpsilen/ProjectShare. 2.SelectMy Networks > Create Network intheleftmenu. 3.EnteraNetwork Name andsetsecuritypermissionsforyourpersonalcontact information. 4.ClickCreate.


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Visit these websites for more information about online learning and Project Share.

http://www.cyberbullying.us/research.php

http://www.swref.com/story/20090705/the_rules_of_netiquette

http://www.mla.org

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org

http://www.apastyle.org

http://www.epsilen.com

http://projectsharetexas.org

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=2147488069

http://www.safeinyourspace.org/studentscyberbullying.asp

VIII. More Resources


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