Since we are not all together at the same time online, the discussion can be instantaneous (you don't have to raise your hand!) or reflective (you can think about it and come back later and respond). Isn't that how it usually works-you think of the right answer after you leave the testing room! Now you have permission to do this.

The discussion questions will be listed each week both on the web page and in the discussion conference. You will see conferences labeled Wk 1 discussion, Wk 2 discussion, etc. I will start them initially.

All you need to do is to click on reply and all the messages about the discussion question will be listed together. It also loads faster, since you don't have to open several windows. If you want to reply to someone else, just read their message and click on reply and it will insert your answer. You may want to start with their name, however, since your answer is in one long list!

You may add other questions to the weekly discussions. You do this by opening up the conference and then clicking on post, at the top of the message, NOT in the black menu bar. This will add a new message. Then everyone can reply to your question! Read the directions for the discussion area in WebBoard.

The person who begins the discussion will receive bonus points. So don't wait until late in the week to start. Most questions can be answered without going on field trip. The person who starts begins by adding their 2 cents. You don't have to answer the whole question. That's what discussion is all about. Everyone puts in his or her comments. Now to enter the discussion, you can reply to the first person or start another topic. This means that we can have multiple discussions going on all at the same time.

Please, please don't type out all the answers to all the questions and post them. This is very boring. Just talk about the questions in the message, as you would in conversation.

Informal is fine. Spelling does not count (although there is a built in spell checker for your convenience.) Don't need complete sentences. Just as long as we understand your thoughts. Consider it conversation.

If we collectively do not cover all the questions, I will nudge you along to point out what needs to be finished.

Ok. It's your turn to practice. First you must knock on the door at WebBoard and answer a few questions as a new user. You will be asked for a log in name AND your first name and your last name.

Log in name simply means your first name, NOT a special made up name. I just use my first name, Lucy. You will also be asked to choose a password. Just use the same one that you used to sign up online, that way you will remember them. (Note: If someone else has already signed on with the same first name, you will be asked to choose another name. Just use your first AND last name.)

I know that this seems redundant, since you have already logged into the online environment. However,consider this like knocking on the door for room 100, whereas another student may be in room 200. You only have to do this once. If you are using your own computer, you can check the box to remember your password and then you don't have to log in each time.

Email address - please make sure this is accurate. This is where I will send your grades.

Ready? Now's the time to practice and get started. Go the discussion area and introduce yourself to the class, in the introduction conference. Tell us about your hobbies and special interests. Remember if we have two students with the same name, sometimes the only way we can remember who is who is by their personalities and what they like to do. You may read my introduction to see what I like!

Note the student union conference. Here is where you can chat away with each other about anything you want. I have left some pertinent , fun items from last terms students.

In the student union you can post messages or actually chat. You can ask other students to meet you at a certain time in the student union and then click on page to see if they are online at the same time that you are.

Each of you will have your own private folder to put your homework in. This will provide a private conference for you and me. The conference will say something like "Lucy's homework folder." For private messages and questions, use your homework folder. For general questions, use the folder - questions to the instructor.

How each week works. You will see a conference for Wk 1 discussion. As we go through the course I will move each past week to the bottom, so that the current week is on top! Note discussions are due at the beginning of the week. At the end of the week, these will become read only and you will not be able to add any late assignments. Field trip confernences will be handled the same way. So don't get behind!! So come on into the classroom.

Click on this picture and you will go to the discussion area. All your messages, homework and questions should be in this area. So click on this picture and come on into the classroom and introduce yourself. Only then can I "see" you, so come on in and say hello!