Who will read my journal entry?

• your Freshman Seminar instructor

• occasionally your peer leader

• occasionally your reflections may be shared with classmates

How will I submit my entry?

• via BLACKBOARD (e-mail)

When I submit a journal entry via BLACKBOARD, is there a guarantee that the entry is private?

• No. This is a cruel but true lesson about the Internet, web sites, and e-mail--there ain't nothin' private about anything once it's on-line.

• Be aware that when you are asked to submit a journal entry via BLACKBOARD there is the possibility it can be read by anyone in the world.

How do I keep my on-line journal entry private?

• Do not give anyone your password. 

• Let your instructor know in advance which entries are private.

Should I be concerned about privacy?

• If you understand the rules of journal submission, you should not be concerned.

• If you feel that your entry contains ideas that you would prefer to share with your instructor only, you are responsible for notifying your instructor. He or she will respect the entry's need for confidentiality.

If I submit a journal entry via BLACKBOARD, are there rules of e-mail and on-line communication that I must follow?

• Yes.  

• Read about the rules of e-mail and on-line communication at the following etiquette site--so you don't get caught being cyberspace-illy rude: http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.htm

What are the benefits of journal writing?

• Journals are a safe place to write about individual ideas.

• Journals are a good place to reflect on inner thoughts and concerns--and in that very reflection catharsis may occur.

• Journals also are a place where stated ideas are written to be purposely shared--often in order to stimulate thought on the reader's part.

• In years past, writers such as Samuel Boswell, Benjamin Franklin, and Anne Frank kept journals which, because of their content quality, had to be shared with the world.  

Be prepared to place some of your private ideas into your sometimes public journal entries.  You have unique thoughts which will be respected.