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On-line BBS
What is it?
An online bulletin board system, or BBS, is a computer application used in the sharing or exchange of messages or other files. Originally conceived in Chicago, Illinois by Ward Christensen and Randy Seuss in 1978, the first Computerized Bulletin Board System (CCBS) went public in early 1979, allowing users to post messages to a public “board” while others could read and respond. This essentially created an ongoing virtual discussion. Online bulletin board systems became the primary form of online community in the 1980’s and early 1990’s
Why use it?
More recent bulletin board systems offer not only text-base possibilities, but also graphics and other qualities. This has allowed for great flexibility in the world of education. Sometimes referred to as an asynchronous tool, an online bulletin board system can support a number of different teaching strategies. Among these are:
- cooperative learning environments
- shared tasks
- peer review and/or comment online
- online class discussions
- inquiry-based learning.
How are teachers using it?
Teachers have been able to use online bulletin board systems as a means of opening communication between students, as well. According to Marisa L. Dudiak, a second-grade teacher in Frederick County, Md., whose class used a BBS to discuss a field trip to a Native American farm, “It allowed them to interact with their peers more quickly than a journal, and it evened the playing field." Ms. Dudiak noticed her more quiet students were much more willing to participate in an online discussion.
What was once a technology used mainly in the world of higher education is now finding its way in to elementary, middle and high schools across the country and around the world. Teachers have a much easier time managing online bulletin board systems rather than web sites and have found greater ease in their educational possibilities. Among the large number of choices of free and commercial bulleting board software available are www.phpbb.com, www.snitz.com, www.yabbforum.com, and www.vbulletin.com.
References:
www.bitpipe.com – Offers a brief definition of the technology as well as a history of use.
www.urban75.org - Suggests links to free and public online bulletin board building tools.
www.nytimes.com/2004/08/19/technology - cites an article interviewing a teacher who uses online discussion groups to better communication within her classroom.
www.netc.org/digitalbridges/online/glossary - Discusses the use of bulletin board systems, or “asynchronous communication tools,” in educational settings. Among these are cooperative/peer learning groups, student-led discussions, shared tasks, etc.
www.historyoftheinternet.com/chap3 - Provides information regarding the first internet bulletin board system, its creators, growth, evolution, etc.
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richardzavacki |
Latest page update: made by richardzavacki
, Jul 25 2006, 7:16 PM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by richardzavacki
2 words added 2 words deleted view changes - complete history) |
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More Info: links to this page
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| Anonymous | Nice wiki on bbs' | 0 | Aug 5 2006, 2:59 PM EDT by Anonymous | ||
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Thread started: Aug 5 2006, 2:59 PM EDT
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Rich -
Not only do you give the background and history of the bbs in a clear, concise manner - you give the reader a great understanding abou thow this tool can be used to help student learning. There have been a lot of extensions of this early technology since - Wiki, blogs, IM, to name a few - but the essence is the same. A bbs gives students an asynchronous - but valuabloe tool to increase communication. Thanks! JAK |
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| RStingle | nit-picking | 1 | Jul 25 2006, 7:11 PM EDT by Anonymous | ||
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Thread started: Jul 25 2006, 6:27 PM EDT
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Richard, Your page looks good and it seemed like a thorough presentation of the topic, so I don't have too much to say about content. However, I'm a grammar geek so if you don't mind, here are some spelling and grammar issues I noticed:
1) In the "Why use it?" section, I think the word "and" after "asynchronous tool" should be "an." 2) In the "How are teachers using it?", text-base should be "text-based" ; "manly"--> mainly as in "a technology mainly used..." ; and you might want to put a colon before the list of software available at the end of that section. Again, I don't been to be a snob, but I'm studying to be an English teacher so I get picky over this stuff. |
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| Shohenleitner | Online BBS wiki page | 0 | Jul 24 2006, 11:02 AM EDT by Shohenleitner | ||
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Thread started: Jul 24 2006, 11:02 AM EDT
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Richard- I enjoyed reading your Wiki and learned alot about an online Bulletin Board System. The links you used were very helpful and I liked how you used bullets for teaching strategies. I loved the example about how a teacher in MD used BBS in her classroom. It gave me some great ideas. One suggestion is to add a "How to use it?" section for first time users. I would like to incorporate an online BBS into my classroom. Thanks for opening my eyes to a new tool. From Sue
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