Network Page

On CN, a Network page is different from a course page. It doesn't have the learning management features. CN users can create a Network page to facilitate communications among members of an academic group, for instance:

• use a campus Network page to network school mates
• use an Alumni Network to keep alumni connected with each other
• use a Network to host a virtual conference
• use a Network to bring research and learning collaborators from different institutions and countries together
• put faculty into different Networks based on their teaching subject to let them share resources and experiences with each other
• students create their own Networks to form study groups or virtual exchange groups

Create a Network

Every CN user can create their own Networks--these are personal Networks.

Note: If your institution has created the Network, you will not need to create it yourself. Please check with your institution first. 

Step 1: To create a personal Network on CN, you need to go to the COURSES menu and click + Create a Course/Network. 

Step 2: Then, make sure you select the Create a Network tab from the top and fill out the Network creation table. 

Note: If you want to create a private Network, you want to select "PIN Code" as the access setting and set up a 4-digit PIN. 

Key Network Features

1. Moderators use the Tasks tool to share resources

If you are the moderator of a Network, you can create tasks to share resources and guide Network members through a series of activities. 

Below shows how to create a task with SmartLinks:

Need a more detailed tutorial? Please read this article.

2. Moderators set up Network groups 

Network moderators may put members into groups based on their organization affiliation, interests, and roles. The created small groups can then be used to create group posts and send group emails (see below). 

There are multiple ways to create groups: manually, based on user label, based on email domain, or equally and randomly split. The group creation and management functions are the same as Course Groups. The only difference is that Group Sets are not available in Networks because they are used for group assignments and Networks do not have assignment functions. 

3. Create Posts

Every Network member can create posts, polls, and events to participate in the asynchronous Network discussions. 

When you post general content to the entire Network, choose the post visibility setting: This Network.

If groups have been created in the Network and you want to post to a group, make sure to choose the visibility setting: Network Group(s). Then select the specific group. This way, the post will only be shown to members of that group. 

Note: Network moderators can see all of the group posts regardless they are in a group or not. 

4. Use hashtags to label and filter posts and comments

Using hashtags in posts and reflections/comments can help label discussion topics and help easily find posts of interest. 

Network moderators are encouraged to set up a few suggested discussion topics from the beginning. The system will then prompt Network members to use these hashtags when they post.

5. Earn Anar Seeds

Users automatically earn Anar Seeds when they participate in the Network activities. Below are the rules for earning Anar Seeds in a Network. 

Note: earning seeds in Networks is easier than in courses. Here, we do not have the minimum word count requirements and the 24-hour and 7-day seed caps.

Members can find their Network seeds (i.e., seeds accumulated in the particular Network) on the top of the Network page and the Members page (see below). 

6. Check member participation on the Members page

From the Members page, Network moderators can find each member's participation data. Moderators can also change member roles and permissions from the gear icon on the right.

Network members have access to this page as well. They can view their own Network seeds and visit others' CN profile/ePortfolio from this page.

You can search for a member by first or last name using the Search Members box on the top.

7. Email Network Members

In institutional networks, moderators can use the Email the entire Network (up to 1,000 members) and selected groups. The recipients will receive the messages both within CN and via email. They can respond to the message from either place. 

Invite New Members

Once a Network is ready to receive members, moderators can invite members in one of the two ways:

1. Share the Network URL and PIN Code with the people you would like to invite. 

2. Use the "Invite a Member" option from the Network Settings gear dropdown. This option is only available to institution users and CN premium accounts. 

If you have any questions about using the CN Network features, please contact help@thecn.com.