Community Resource Page

Although this is perhaps not the "best" practice that I've found, I think it is worthy of mentioning. The University of Massachusetts Lowell has tried to build commuity in its IT courses by creating a Community & Resource Website. It is specifically used within a Website Development course, but features past students as well as current students.

The website consists of

1. photos or caricatures of each student
   
2. Links to students' work
   
3. list of resources for working with Frontpage (their chosen web development software)
   
4. Links to the work of previous students
   

Student feedback has indicated positive results from the website. According to Sloan-C.org, the students are allowed to personalize their assignments, which results in a lot of interaction between students and faculty. Students view wach others work and generally aim for high standards and are proud of their work.

I like this idea, not specifically for one course, but as a ID&T community website. Posting pictures, bios, etc. might bring our academic community closer. As a course website it could also be beneficial, particulalry if students post their assignments. Students coud peer review or get advice from each other.

Florida State University's School of Information Studies also asks its students to create a personal profile, complete with a photo. Sloan-C.org says that these "introductions increase student satisfaction through developing engagements and community. The profiles help the faculty to know students better and to use their information in designing learning teams and activities".