Setting Up a Discussion (Listserver) List

Last updated: September 29, 1997

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In order to set up a listserver list at VSU, send a memo on letterhead (an official request) to the systems operator (Joe Newton--jnewton@valdosta.edu) with the following information:

list name (the name of the list that subscribers will use when they make a posting)

list owner(s) (who will be responsible for maintaining/updating the list)

password for list owner access (allows owner to make changes)

welcome file (initial message sent to new subscribers)

info file (message sent to users who try to contact the list)

private or open subscription? (will the list have restricted access; requires owner to add and delete names of subscribers)

moderated or unmoderated list? (will postings have restricted access; requires list owner(s) to authorize every post)

I have used listservers with upper division and graduate students in professional education. Inappropriate postings have not been a problem in this setting. However, I do want to restrict access because the purpose of the list is really for students in my classes. Therefore, my lists are private and unmoderated. This does not mean I don't read every message (as a list subscriber I receive all messages). It simply means I don't have to approve each message before it is posted. I tried a moderated list once and it proved to be a lot of work even though the problem of inappropriate postings was non-existent. A moderated list might be necessary if one expects a large number of inappropriate postings, but in an academic environment it is probably not necessary in most instances.

Welcome File used in PSY310: Educational Psychology (Undergraduate)

Congratulations! You have successfully subscribed to the PSY 310 listserver for Dr. Huitt's sections. As a student enrolled in Dr. Huitt's PSY 310 class, you will have the opportunity to engage in (hopefully!) meaningful interactions with your professor and other students. When you post a message please be certain to include information on the subject line as to the topic of your message. This will make the dialogue flow more easily.

As a course requirement you will post a minimum of five messages to this listserver during the quarter. Two of your messages must be done prior to the midterm and the remaining three must be completed by the 9th week of classes. Your messages should relate to your field experience observations. Without identifying the school, student(s), or teacher(s), briefly describe an interaction you had at the school. An excellent report will do two things: 1) it will interpret the interaction in light of content covered in PSY 310, and 2) it will describe how you felt about the interaction.

When interpreting the interaction you are encouraged to explain your reasoning. For example, don't just say that the teacher used written probes correctly according to the way we discussed probes in class. Describe how the teacher used the probe (perhaps indicating which level of the Bloom taxonomy the exercise represented and why it was done appropriately). A maximum of two of your messages may be responses to the postings of other students. For example, you may want to reinterpret a conclusion, expand one, or share a similar observation. Messages that are hostile, discourteous, or otherwise unprofessional will not be accepted as meeting the course requirement. You will be informed if you need to redo a message through a private e-mail posting from Dr. Huitt.

Information File used in PSY310: Educational Psychology

This PSY310wgh listserver is designed for students currently enrolled in Professor Huitt's undergraduate educational psychology course at Valdosta State University. If you are not a currently enrolled student, but believe you and the class members would benefit from your being a subscriber to the list, please send an e-mail message to Dr. Huitt at [whuitt@valdosta.edu] stating your reason for wanting to subscribe. 

Welcome File used in col: Conditions of Learning (Graduate) 

Congratulations! You have successfully subscribed to the col listserver. As a student enrolled in Dr. Huitt's PSY 702: Conditions of Learning you will have the opportunity to engage in [hopefully] meaning interactions with your professor and other students. When you post a message please include information on the subject line as to the topic of your message. This will make it easier to keep track of conversations and allow the dialogue to flow a little easier.

As a course requirement you will post a minimum of 10 messages to this listserver during the quarter. The message could be a question, an idea or feeling about a topic presented in the course, or it may be a response to someone else's posting. Please display good manners when interacting with other members of the class. Messages that are hostile or aggressive or that use inappropriate language will be returned to the sender.

Information File used in col: Conditions of Learning

The col listserver is designed for students currently enrolled in Dr. Huitt's graduate level educational psychology course at Valdosta State University. If you are not a currently enrolled student, but believe you and the class members would benefit from your being a subscriber to the list, please send an e-mail message to Dr. Huitt at the following address: "whuitt@valdosta.edu", stating your reasons for wanting to subscribe.