Classroom Netiquette Rules

1. Always fallow the Golden Rule: Do onto others as you would have them do unto you.
2. Never use inappropriate language or slang.
3. Avoid using all capitals as it is considered SHOUTING!
4. Never use sarcasm or jokes even if you think others will find it funny.
5. Remember when respect is given respect is earned.
6. Grammar and spelling is a must, but it is not your job to comment on other students work.
7. Know that what you put online is a permanent record so be mindful of the information you intended to produce.
8. Never post your passwords or personal information online, and never post peer information online.
9. Do not plagiarize, always cite your work giving credit where credit is due.
10. Always respond in a timely manner to emails and messages, show respect for the people communicating with you.
11. Remember to be safe in cyberspace, know who you are talking to and avoid inappropriate conversations.Do not download files, music, video, games, or backgrounds without parent or teacher permission.

Jigsaw Cooperative Learning
The jigsaw cooperative learning strategy has been a proven method in promoting a healthy learning environment. This proven method has greatly changed the way educators have introduced different social demographics to learning course material. Jigsaw provides students the opportunity to take ownership of the learning process as well as indirectly, or under the surface, providing a gateway of positive reinforcement as it pertains to the diverse gender and ethnic backgrounds. Each student has an important role to the group as well as having to rely on the other students in the group to learn. “The jigsaw process encourages listening, engagement, and empathy by giving each member of the group an essential part to play in the academic activity. Group members must work together as a team to accomplish a common goal; each person depends on all the others”. (Jigsaw Classroom, 2000) Ultimately the goal is achieved by the students from trusting and learning from one another.
There can be some obstacles and drawbacks in this method. If the students choose not to buy into the method you ultimately cannot force them to participate. Even though participation and presentation can be measured or graded, as educators this can be a negative drawback. As anyone in education can attest to, some students can be put on the defensive by having to present information to their peers. Some students may have a learning issue because of the pressure put on by other students depending on them no matter how positive the learning environment may be. Students who thrive in this type of learning may find the process very conducive, however some students may find this discouraging. Ultimately I think any learning process has positives and negatives.
A teacher can use the jigsaw method to provide a benefit to the class as a whole. Let us take earth science for example. We can select a topic such as types of volcanic eruptions. The class would first be divided up into small four to five person groups. Then each person in these groups is given a specific topic to cover. Sally, for example, would cover plinian eruptions for her group. Sally would then leave her group and join her “expert” group that would include all the individual students covering the plinian eruptions. This “expert” group would allow Sally and the other students to brainstorm and refine the information to be portrayed. Sally would then return to the original group and present the information. This process allows each individual student to take ownership of the material to be covered and provide the opportunity for the students to learn from each other. Although there are different types of volcanic eruptions, each student studies and reports on a particular type of eruption dividing the work amongst their peers. When the groups are brought together, the individual students provide a learning experience for each other. This process aids the teacher in the learning environment through the use of peer education, which in turn provides a benefit to the entire class.
Jigsaw Classroom Overview of the Technique (2000). Retrieved February 7, 2009, from http://www.jigsaw.org/overview.htm