Schoolnet Help Content/FAQ
Getting Oriented: Welcome to Schoolnet. com
What’s available in schoolnet.com?
SchoolNet brings together the knowledge, ideas and opinions of thousands of K12 stakeholders in an open online community. Schoolnet.com members can communicate and collaborate to exchange ideas and best practices. The core tools found in schoolnet.com include: Viewpoints, Discussions, Ask, K12 Wiki, and Search.
How do I register for schoolnet.com?
Registering is easy and free. Click here to get started.
What does schoolnet.com cost?
Schoolnet.com is free of charge.
How do I use the Homepage?
The Homepage provides a view of many paths available in your schoolnet.com community. The most popular activities, searches, and other events are found on the homepage. Also included are recent events and a running list of what’s happening now at schoolnet.com.
Working with Viewpoints
What’s a Viewpoint?
Schoolnet.com Viewpoints are “blogs”—online spaces where Contributors and other designated members can address a specific K-12 topic, provide links, articles, content, commentary, and participate in related Discussions.
How do I view a Viewpoint?
From the top navigation bar, click the Viewpoints link. The Viewpoints landing page will appear. From there you can sort the list of Viewpoints options by using the Audience, Interest, State, or District drop-down menus. Once you locate the desired Viewpoint, simply click on that Title to view it.
How do I create a new Viewpoint?
From the top navigation bar, click the Viewpoint link to view a list of all Viewpoints. From the bottom of that page you’ll see a link where you can submit your request for a new Viewpoint Topics. A schoolnet.com administrator will review your request and if it is approved, it will be added.
How do I edit a Viewpoint?
To edit a viewpoint you must be the Viewpoint Contributor. From the Viewpoint page, click the Edit Viewpoint link in the upper right portion of the page. Enter and/or edit in the fields (e.g., Title, Tag, Theme, etc.) as desired. Click Save when you are finished.
How do I view Viewpoint Posts?
Locate the Viewpoint you are interested in (see also: How do I view a Viewpoint?). From the Viewpoint page you will see the most recent posts displayed on the left side of the page. To see more posts, click the View All Posts link.
How do I add a Viewpoint Post?
To add a viewpoint post you must be the Viewpoint Contributor. Locate the Viewpoint you are interested in (see also: How do I view a Viewpoint?). From the upper right portion of the page, click the Add Post link. The Add Post page appears. Enter information into the Title and Body and include Tags as desired. The publishing information will populate with default information. Click the Post button when you have finished.
How do I manage Viewpoint Posts?
To add a viewpoint post you must be the Viewpoint Contributor. Locate the Viewpoint you are interested in (see also: How do I view a Viewpoint?). From the upper right portion of the page click the Edit Posts link. The Edit Posts page appears. Locate the Post you want to edit (use the date filter if needed). Click the Edit to open that item and make any necessary edits.
Managing Favorites
What’s a Favorite?
The Favorites area, found on Viewpoint pages (where specified), allows Viewpoint Contributors to add, save and store go-to websites and online resources (e.g., files, images, etc.) for easy access and for sharing with other schoolnet.com members.
How do I add Favorites?
Favorites can be added to any Viewpoint page. For members with the required privileges (e.g., Viewpoint Contributors), when creating a new or editing an existing Viewpoint page, be sure to select the Favorites module so that is will appear on the Viewpoint page.
For members who access that Viewpoint page, you are prompted to add Favorites.
How do I manage Favorites?
To edit a Favorite you must be the Viewpoint Contributor. From the desired Viewpoint page, click the View all Favorites link from the Favorites area. The Manage Favorites page appears, where you make edits as needed to any entry. For example, you can change the Title, Description, Type and Tags associate with any item you’ve added as a Favorite.
Working with Discussions
What’s a Discussion?
Schoolnet.com Discussions are places where community members can post their opinions and comments on a given topic. Discussions will indicate the date most recently updated (and by whom). Members can also vote on Discussions, to indicate topic popularity.
How do I view a Discussion?
From the top navigation bar, click the Discussions link to view a list of all Discussions. You can then locate the Discussion you’re interested in by using the Audience, Interest, State and District drop-down filters. To select a particular Discussion, click the corresponding Discussion Title.
How do I create a new Discussion?
From the top navigation bar, click the Discussions link to view a list of all Discussions. From the bottom of that page you’ll see a link where you can submit your request for a new Discussion. A schoolnet.com administrator will review your request and if it is approved, it will be added.
How do I email a Discussion?
From the top navigation bar, click the Discussions link to view a list of all Discussions. You can then locate the Discussion you’re interested in by using the Audience, Interest, State and District drop-down filters. To select a particular Discussion (the Discussion Details page), click the corresponding Discussion Title.
From the upper-right portion of the page, click the Email This link. Make entries into the fields provided as needed to send the email.
How do I comment on a Discussion?
From the top navigation bar, click the Discussions link to view a list of all Discussions. You can then locate the Discussion you’re interested in by using the Audience, Interest, State and District drop-down filters. To select a particular Discussion (the Discussion Details page),click the corresponding Discussion Title.
Use the Add Comment field to include your commentary.
How do I view Discussion Posts?
To get started, click the Discussions link from the top navigation bar to view all Discussions. You can use the Audience, Interest, State and District filters. Locate the Discussion you’re interested in and click its title to open that Discussion. You will then see a list of all related Posts.
How do add a Discussion Post?
Follow the steps described in the questions above. From the page that lists all related Discussion Posts, click the Add Post link that appears near the page heading. On the Add Post page you can enter a Title, and Body text to create your Post. Click the Post button when you are finished.
Working with the K12 Wiki
What is the schoolnet.com K12 Wiki?
A wiki is a type of computer software that allows users to easily create, edit and link web pages. Wikis are often used to create collaborative and community websites. Similarly, the schoolnet.com wiki is specifically geared towards topics in the K12 arena. From the schoolnet.com wiki, members can also see the most popularly used wiki articles.
How do I view Wiki Articles?
Click the K12 Wiki link from the top navigation bar. The page loads and displays a list of available Articles. You can use the alphabetical list to find an article by name or use the search field to locate the topic you are interested in. A running list of popular Articles is also shown. Click the Article title to display that Article page.
How do I add to the Wiki?
Click the K12 Wiki link from the top navigation bar. The page loads and displays a list of available Articles. Beneath those, click the Add New Article link.
How do I edit a Wiki Article?
Click the K12 Wiki link from the top navigation bar. The page loads and displays a list of available Articles. You can use the alphabetical list to find an article by name or use the search field to locate the topic you are interested in. A running list of popular Articles is also shown. Click the Article title to display that Article page.
To the right of the Article title, click the Edit link. Make edits to the content as needed and click Save when finished.
Searching in schoolnet.com
How do I search in schoolnet.com?
The Search field is available from the upper right corner of schoolnet.com pages. Enter the information you are looking for and click Go. You’ll see a list of Search results, along with a set of filters that will help you sort through them.
How do I submit a Community Favorite?
From the bottom of the Search results page you’ll see a link where you can suggest a site. A schoolnet.com administrator will review your request and if it is approved, it will be added.
Working with Ask
How do I ask a question?
Click the Ask link from the top navigation menu to display the main Ask page. From here you search for an answer to a question that has been asked or enter a question directly into the Ask A Question field. Be sure to supply sufficient detail so your colleagues and peers can provide a thorough answer. You can include tags if desired. Likewise, to be alerted when your question has been answered, select the Email me when my question is answered box. Click the Ask button when you are finished. You can also see if your question has already been asked/answered by others by using the Find an Answer field and clicking the Find button.
How do I get answers?
Click the Ask link from the top navigation menu to display the main Ask page. You can use the Find an Answer field to enter your question and look for the answer.
How do I answer a question?
Click the Ask link from the top navigation menu to display the main Ask page. You can use the Find an Answer field to enter a question and look for the answer. When you find the question you want, click its title to see more details. From the bottom of the Question page, use the Add Answer field to make your entry and click the Add Answer button.
Viewing Tags
What are Tags?
The Tags area makes it possible for you to have the entire schoolnet.com universe of content at your fingertips. It is organized (with tabs) into key areas, such as Discussions, Discussion Posts, Viewpoints, and so forth.
How do I use Tags?
Click the Tags link from the top navigation menu to display the Tags page. You can enter a tag to locate matching content from across the entire schoolnet.com site. Alternatively, use the tabs provided to locate content by site type, such as Viewpoints, Discussions, Ask, and more.
Working with Your Profile
How do I enter Account information?
To begin, click the Sign Up link from the top navigation menu. The Registration page appears. Enter your Account Information on the top part of the page into the fields provided (e.g., Name, User Name, Password, etc.). You can choose whether or not to include your real name when you post to or interact with schoolnet.com. Click Save to save your entries on the page. For details on describing your expertise and using the Profile Information section, please refer to the next question.
How can I describe my expertise?
To begin, click the Login link from the top navigation menu. The Login page appears. Enter your Login information and click on the Profile link on top navigation menu. The Profile page appears. From the Profile page click on the Edit link. The Profile Registration page appears. Enter your Profile Information on the lower part of the page into the fields provided (e.g., Gender, Interests, Profile Image, etc.). Use the Biography field to list and detail your professional achievements and personal interests. Click Save to save your entries on the page.
Glossary
Ask: The Ask area allows users to ask questions, view member-provided answers, as well as add answers to questions.
Author: Viewpoint Authors manage their Viewpoints and can designate Guest Authors.
Article (Wiki): see Wiki
Comment: Schoolnet.com members can share and exchange ideas by adding comments to Viewpoints.
Community Content: The Community Content offers an easy way for schoolnet.com members to view all or selected content from across the sites—including Ask, Discussions, Posts, Favorites, Polls, and Viewpoints.
Discussion: Schoolnet.com Discussions are places where community members can post their opinions and comments on a given topic. Discussions will indicate the date most recently updated (and by whom). Members can also vote on Discussions, to indicate topic popularity.
Favorites: The Favorites area allows you to add, save and store your go-to websites and online resources (e.g., files, images) for easy access and for sharing with other schoolnet.com members.
Module: When creating or editing a Viewpoint, you can indicate which modules (i.e., Favorites, Discussions, Tags, Polls, and Recent Activity) you want to have displayed on the Viewpoint page.
Poll: You can create an online survey to ask your fellow schoolnet.com members their opinions on education-related topics.
Profile: Your schoolnet.com profile allows you to describe yourself, your background and qualifications. It also catalogues your activities and provides contextual links to the Discussions and Ask areas of schoolnet.com.
Tag: A tag is a keyword or term associated with or assigned to a piece of information (e.g., a school subject, education topic, etc.) that allows schoolnet.com users perform keyword-based classification and searches.
Viewpoint: Schoolnet.com Viewpoints are essentially blogs—online spaces where Authors and other designated members can address a specific K12 topic, provide links, articles, content, commentary, and participate in related Discussions.
Post: A post is a response (e.g., comment, question, etc.) that a schoolnet.com member contributes to an online conversation. Schoolnet.com users can make posts to two places: Viewpoints and Discussions.
Wiki: A wiki is a type of computer software that allows users to easily create, edit and link web pages. Wikis are often used to create collaborative and community websites. Similarly, the schoolnet.com wiki, which is composed of various wiki articles, is specifically geared towards topics in the K12 arena. From the schoolnet.com wiki, members can also see the most popularly used wiki articles.