FOR-PD Chat Transcript
Date: October 2, 2007
Time: 7:00-8:00PM EST
Topic: Technology/Content Questions about the FOR-PD Course
Melanie >> Hello everyone. Welcome to our Technology/Course Chat!
Susan >> Hello!
Melanie >> Tonight’s chat will be an hour long.
Melanie >> The first 30-minutes will be dedicated specifically to technology help/questions and the final 30-minutes will include time for specific questions about the course in general or the content of the course.
Richemonde >> I was here before then got dropped, all I did minimize my window
Melanie >> We are joined by some FOR-PD staff that I would like to introduce.
Melanie >> Lourdes Smith is our Reading Specialist.
Melanie >> My name is Melanie Edwards and I am the FOR-PD Technology Specialist.
Marie-France >> must we stay on for the entire time?
Melanie >> Before we begin, I would like to review the chat protocol. Please follow this protocol to participate in the chat.
Melanie >> The Exclamation Point - !
Melanie >> This exclamation point is like raising your hand.
Melanie >> Type this symbol whenever you have a question or a comment related to what is being discussed. The moderator will acknowledge you and you can then ask your question.
Melanie >> The Pound Sign - #
Melanie >> The pound sign indicates that you are finished typing your question or comment. Use this symbol when you are finished with your thought to indicate that you are finished typing.
Melanie >> The Ellipse - . . .
Melanie >> Use the Ellipse when you have a great deal to type so you do not keep participants waiting to read your entire thought...
Melanie >> By breaking your comment up, you let participants know you are actively doing something rather than just typing a long response or question.
Melanie >> There are a few things we'd like to point out before we take questions.
Melanie >> First of all, please be sure to read through Lesson 1 thoroughly...
Melanie >> it contains important information that will help you throughout the entire course...
Melanie >> all tools used in the course are explained in Lesson 1...
Melanie >> Also, there have been questions from participants wondering where to find the pre-course survey...
Melanie >> The pre-course survey can be found in the Quizzes section and is required to be taken before quiz 1 becomes available...
Melanie >> To go along with quiz availability...
Melanie >> If you have taken a quiz and received a passing score (16/20 or 80%)...
Melanie >> the next lesson's quiz will become available, since the quizzes are conditional...
Melanie >> if a quiz says it's unavailable, check to be sure you have a grade for the previous quiz...
Melanie >> if not, contact your facilitator to have him/her force-grade the quiz...
Melanie >> There have also been several questions about where to complete the literacy log...
Melanie >> The literacy log is also found in the Quizzes section...
Melanie >> Once you click on the lit log you wish to submit...
Melanie >> you will then see a screen identical to the quiz screen...
Melanie >> go ahead and click on Begin Quiz, do not worry about the wording...
Melanie >> you will access the lit log...
Melanie >> We can now take technical questions you may have...
Melanie >> Please save any content/assignment questions for Lourdes in the second half hour...
Melanie >> Remember to use the exclamation point (!)...
Carlos >>
Melanie >> if you have a question or a comment related to what is being discussed...
Melanie >> the moderator will acknowledge you and you can then ask your question.#
Melanie >> Carlos, did you have a question?
Carlos >> Hi my mouse slip...
Melanie >> ok, no problem
Melanie >> Does anyone have any technical questions at this time?
Melanie >> We know it can take a bit of time to get used to the course structure and navigation...
Melanie >> But, we have a help desk available if you ever run into any technical issues and/or need some guidance.
ingrid >> !
Melanie >> yes, Ingrid
ingrid >> Where do I go if I want to compose a message for the entire class?
Melanie >> do you mean in the discussion board or an email using course mail?
Melanie >> The discussion board is public and your message will be seen by the entire class...
Ingrid >> Probably in the discussion board.
Kathleen >> !
Ingrid >> I want it to be viewed by the entire class.
Melanie >> yes, any message posted to the discussion board can be seen by the entire class
Melanie >> as long as you do not reply privately to a message that is already posted...
Melanie >> that is the only time it will not be seen by all.
Susan >> !
Melanie >> does that help, Ingrid?
Ingrid >> Yes.
Lourdes >> Kathleen, your next
Melanie >> ok, Kathleen, you had a question?
Kathleen >> I posted one message in the Facilitators section, and I do not know how to erase it. Thanks
Melanie >> if you mistakenly post a message to the wrong area...
Melanie >> just re-post to the correct topic...
Melanie >> if it is an assignment, be sure to let your facilitator know, so that he/she will know where to find your post.
Kathleen >> I did re-post and everything worked out, but I just wanted to erase a mistake
Melanie >> sure, I can understand, but unfortunately, you do not have access to do so.
Kathleen >> Thanks
Melanie >> no problem
Melanie >> Susan, you had a question?
Susan >> As a facilitator, I would like to know how to check the participants comments to one another
Melanie >> do you mean through course mail?
Susan >> I think so, I know to receive all 20 points they must respond to another's comments..
Melanie >> oh...
Susan >> and I know there has to be an easy way to check, but I don't know how
Melanie >> you mean in the discussion board...
Susan >> yes
Melanie >> you should be able to see when a participant posts their own message and when they are responding to another message...
Melanie >> a response will typically have a Re: in the subject line
Julie >> !
Lisa >> !
Susan >> ok, the RE but sometimes there are several comments
Melanie >> right..
Melanie >> Susan, I believe you will need to read all messages, as this is a requirement of Lesson 1 for participants...
Melanie >> to respond to each other...
Melanie >> it also is a way for them to get to know each other..
Susan >> ok #
Melanie >> and for your section to build community.
Sara >> Is there a way to view what's been discussed in chat before I entered?
Melanie >> Julie, your question?
Melanie >> Sara, we'll get to you in a moment.
Julie >> If you highlight someone’s name in the chat room, can you send them a private message
Melanie >> yes, that is exactly how you can send a private message in the chat room
Julie >> thanks#
Melanie >> Lisa, you had a question?
Lisa >> Once you submit a post you cannot edit either, right?...
Melanie >> that is correct, Lisa
Lisa >> ok#
Lisa >> thanks#
Melanie >> you will need to post a reply to yourself with the edits, or just re-post entirely
Melanie >> sure, no problem.
Melanie >> Ok, Sara...
Melanie >> unfortunately, there is no way to see the current discussion that occurred prior to you entering the room...
Melanie >> but...
Melanie >> the entire chat transcript will be posted on our website...
Melanie >> http://forpd.ucf.edu
Melanie >> specifically, http://forpd.ucf.edu/resources/chat.html
Melanie >> all chat transcripts are posted there.
Sara >> Thanks. Sharon Feinblatt answered me privately.#
Melanie >> sure, no problem – thanks Sharon!
Melanie >> are there any other technical questions tonight?
Melanie >> If not, we can move on to content/assignment questions. Lourdes Smith, our Reading Specialist, will be answering those.
Lourdes >> hello!
Lourdes >> my name is Lourdes Smith and I am the FOR-PD Reading Specialist
Lourdes >> While your course facilitator is your first contact of support...
Lourdes >> you can also contact me if you have any questions or issues with the course, course content, or...
Lourdes >> assignments...
Lourdes >> You can reach me via email at losmith@mail.ucf.edu
Lourdes >> As we begin the FOR-PD course for fall 2007 semester, we hope that everyone is getting used to the course navigation and content
Lourdes >> we know that there are many new items that will take some getting used to...
Lourdes >> As Melanie noted, it is very important for all participants to read and review lesson 1...
Ingrid >> !
Lourdes >> many of the issues and questions that occur are answered in this section...
Lourdes >> Let's begin with any question...
Lourdes >> I see Ingrid has one, go ahead Ingrid
Ingrid >> What is the difference between course mail and discussion boards?
Lourdes >> Course mail is similar to e-mail, except it is within the course
Lourdes >> if you send a course mail, you can send it to one, five, or however many you would like to receive it
ingrid >> Thank you.#
Lourdes >> if you post to the discussion board, everyone can see it#
Lourdes >> At this time, are there any assignment, content, or text questions?
Lourdes >> I know it's a little early, but I'd be glad to clarify or explain anything that some of you may be having issues with...
Lourdes >> While we wait to see if any questions arise, I would like to emphasize the importance of following the rubrics
Lourdes >> in the course for the discussion posting...
Lourdes >> As found in lesson 1, each discussion posting will have a rubric to follow...
Lourdes >> Making sure you note each box with the specific criteria will get you the most points the first time you make a posting...
Lourdes >> Often, facilitators will require some participants to go back and review their posting and the rubric in order for them to complete the discussion posting with a passing score
Lourdes >> an 80%, or 16/20 points, is required for each discussion and quiz
Lourdes >> does anyone have any questions about the assignments so far?
Lourdes >> I see some of you are sending URLs
Lourdes >> if you have a question or comment just type "!" in the message box and press enter
Lourdes >> do not hit the "send url" button
Sara >> !
Linda >> !
Lourdes >> Sara, do you have a question?
Sara >> What does the "send url" button do?
Ethelyn >> !
Melanie >> the send URL button can be used if you wish to send a link to a website to all in the chat room...
Melanie >> a pop-up window will come up as you have seen
Melanie >> and will contain the link sent, if you click ok, the website will open in your web browser
Ethelyn >> Are all these person enrolled in Competency 2?
Sara >> Thank.#
Melanie >> sure Sara
Melanie >> I believe Linda was next
Lourdes >> Next was Linda
Lourdes >> thanks, Melanie
Melanie >> Ethelyn, we'll get to your question after Linda
Lourdes >> then Robert
Lourdes >> then Ethylyn
Lourdes >> Linda, go ahead when you’re ready
Linda >> Is the chat room required, or is this just so we can have a feeling of being a group?
Lourdes >> tech/course and content chats are optional...
Lourdes >> they are used to provide support for all learners who may be having issues...
Lourdes >> but, they are optional#
Lourdes >> Robert, do you have a question?
Richemonde >> !
Lourdes >> Robert is having a tech issue
Lourdes >> Etheylyn, go ahead with your question
Ethelyn >> Are the persons logged on enrolled in Competency 2?
Robert >> sorry I did
Ethelyn >> I am really trying to learn to chat. This is very new to me...
Lourdes >> Yes, FOR-PD only covers competency 2 of the reading endorsement
Lourdes >> all the folks here are enrolled in FOR-PD
Robert >> thanks#
Lourdes >> or are facilitators for FOR-PD
Ethelyn >> Thanks
Lourdes >> no problem, Robert
Lourdes >> your welcome, Ethelyn
Ethelyn >> Thank you very much#
Robert >> !
Lourdes >> Richemonde, your next and then back to Robert after Richemonde
Richemonde >> So, if I miss some of the chat session it will not be a problem
Lourdes >> right, chats are optional...
Lourdes >> plus, if you miss one and still want to view the transcript, you can do so via our website
Richemonde >> Thank#
Lourdes >> Robert, your turn#
Robert >> can we use teachers from our school who are in the class, or do you want us to go beyond our comfort zone and use new people?
Robert >> for our discussion group
Lourdes >> in our course, for fall 2007, there will be two assignments you will need to work with other people in...
Lourdes >> these are lessons 5 and 10...
Lourdes >> For lesson 5, we HIGHLY recommend using a classmate...
Lourdes >> if for some reason you are not able to do so, you must contact your facilitator and let him/her know about the need to use someone outside of the course
Robert >> this lesson asks us to select a discussion group now
Lourdes >> in lesson 10, it is important to find a partner(s) within the course...
Robert >> thanks#
Lourdes >> yes, lesson 2 you are asked to find partners, but you do not have to turn anything in regarding partners for lesson 2
Lourdes >> I hope that helps...
Robert >> yes#
Lourdes >> are there any other questions?
Lourdes >> we will be wrapping up in the next few minutes and I wanted to make sure we answered any and all questions, tech or content based
ingrid >> !
Lourdes >> Yes, ingrid
ingrid >> A literacy log for #2 is not required. Correct?
ingrid >> should say lesson 2
Lourdes >> right, it usually is, but since our schedule has been modified for fall 2007, it is not required. It is optional, something you can do on your own, but it is not required#
Susan >> !
Lourdes >> Susan?
Susan >> As a facilitator, do we enter the grades for the log the same way as the discussion points
Lourdes >> Susan, you may want to review the FAC manual. You will enter a code using a format noting if you have reviewed it or not.
Susan >> thanks, #
Lourdes >> Any other questions or comments?
Robert >> Thanks for all the help#
Lourdes >> Your welcome, Robert.
Lourdes >> We'll be having another chat on Thursday
ingrid >> Ditto that!!
Lourdes >> it is also optional, and not mandatory
Sara >> Thanks for answering our questions. Good night#
Lourdes >> but, if you need assistance, it's a good place to come to get good information...
Lourdes >> #
Carlos >> I learned a lot tonight
Melanie >> remember the chat transcript will be posted on our site
Richemonde >> good night
Melanie >> and you can always call the help desk if you need any help...
Melanie >> 1-866-863-7323
Melanie >> or forpdhelp@mail.ucf.edu
Raul >> Just join sorry I am late
Lourdes >> Thank you all for coming, and have a lovely night!
Melanie >> thank you
Julie >> thanks, good night
Melanie >> Raul, we are just finishing up, but you can view the chat transcript on our website once it is posted.
Lourdes >> Hi Raul, we're just wrapping up but you can view the transcript online sometime this week
Raul >> Is everyone logging off at this time
Melanie >> yes, Raul, our chat is just finishing up.
Raul >> Okay I will find it on the web site thanks
Holly >> I am sorry I am late...many things to do.
Richemonde >> Good night, Ms. Etienne
Lourdes >> that's okay, Holly
Holly >> Where can I find what I missed?
Lourdes >> you can view the transcript online this week via our main course
Raul >> It seems it is over it is seven my time in P'cola
Marie-France >> Good night Everyone
Holly >> Great, I'll check it out. Dang!
Melanie >> ah, the chats are scheduled for 7 pm EST
Lourdes >> Yes, Raul, the chats are listed on the website and in the calendar as 7pm EST
Holly >> Everyone have a great night and tomorrow too!
Raul >> so that is six my time right
Melanie >> we'll have another chat this Thursday at 7 pm EST again
Melanie >> yes, 6 your time Raul
Melanie >> maybe you can join us on Thursday
Raul >> no problem. Thanks
Melanie >> ok, good night all
Raul >> okay good night
Lourdes >> Thanks for coming!
