FOR-PD Chat Transcript
Date: October 4, 2007
Time: 7:00-8:00PM EST
Topic: Technology/Content Questions about the FOR-PD Course
FOR-PD Project >> Hello everyone. Welcome to tonight's Technology Help Chat. At tonight's chat, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers about technology used in the course.
FOR-PD Project >> The chat will be an hour long and conclude at 8:00 P.M.
FOR-PD Project >> I would like to introduce members of the FORPD staff that are present in tonight's chat.
FOR-PD Project >> Melanie Edwards is our webmaster.
FOR-PD Project >> Lourdes Smith is our Reading Specialist.
FOR-PD Project >> I would like to go over the chat protocol for tonight's chat. Please make sure you follow the protocol as this makes the chat flow more smoothly.
FOR-PD Project >> The Exclamation Point - !
FOR-PD Project >> An exclamation point is like raising your hand. 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.
FOR-PD Project >> The Pound Sign - #
FOR-PD Project >> A 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.
FOR-PD Project >> The Ellipse - . . .
FOR-PD Project >> Use the Ellipse when you have a great
deal to type so you do not keep participants waiting to read
your entire thought. By breaking your comment up, you let
participants know you are actively doing something rather
than just typing a long response or question.
FOR-PD Project >> To type in the chat window you must type in the white box below ENTER YOUR MESSAGE HERE and then hit the enter button. What you have typed will show up in the chat window.
FOR-PD Project >> As I said earlier, this chat will cover technology/content issues and questions. Please make sure you follow the chat protocol if you have a question to ask or something to say.
Janet >> !
Lourdes >> I also want to note that this chat is focusing on assisting participants. It's wonderful to have facilitators here, but if you have any facilitator questions, please contact the facilitator specialist
FOR-PD Project >> Yes, Ms. Lake, did you have a question?
Melanie >> As Richard said, this chat will cover technology and content questions...
Melanie >> The first 30-minutes will
Melanie >> be dedicated specifically to technology help/questions and
Melanie >> the final 30-minutes will include time for specific questions
Melanie >> about the course in general or the content of the course.
Melanie >> Yes, go ahead Janet.
Melanie >> Janet, did you have a question?
Janet >> anted it to 3 on a page in black and white.
Janet >> Yes, I wanted to know if I could make copies of the power point that was 66 pages long and reduce
Janet >>
Melanie >> I believe you can set PowerPoint presentations to print multiple slides per page...
Melanie >> such as 3, 4, or 6 to a page
Melanie >> You might have to save it to your computer first, then adjust the print preferences.
Melanie >> Does that help, Janet?
Janet >> Yes, thanks#
Melanie >> I believe Janice had "raised her hand" earlier...
Melanie >> Janice, did you have a question?
Janice >> I was just making sure that I was in the right room. Sorry#
Melanie >> that is ok
Melanie >> Did anyone have any questions at this time?
Janet >> !
Melanie >> yes Janet
Janet >> Sometimes I have trouble making copies of articles#
Melanie >> Hmmm, what do you mean by articles and what do you mean by copies?
Melanie >> Do you mean the resources that are linked or the primary lesson content?
Melanie >> And do you mean you have trouble printing them?
Janet >> When I click on print, it comes out blank sometimes#
Melanie >> Ok, well if you are clicking on print from within the lesson content, the WebCT system is set up in what is called frames...
Janet >> The primary lesson, some print and some do not#
Melanie >> because of this, it will not print the content directly...
Melanie >> you will need to use the compile tool to print the lessons...
Nancy >> My access and printing have been pretty smooth for the most part.
Melanie >> however, any linked resources, will not be compiled and will not print...
Melanie >> you will need to click on those individually and print them from your web browser, when they come up in a new window...
Melanie >> to use the compile tool, click on Print Lessons in the course menu...
Melanie >> lesson 1 has a tutorial on how to use the compile tool.
Melanie >> #
Janet >> Thanks#
Melanie >> you're welcome
Melanie >> Are there any other questions?
Nancy >> None here...
Melanie >> I wanted to point out that if you have taken a quiz and received a passing score (16/20 or 80%)...
Melanie >> the next lesson's quiz should become available...
Melanie >> 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 >> If there are no more technical questions, perhaps we can move on to content/assignment questions.
Lourdes >> Hello
Lourdes >> my name is Lourdes Smith and I'm the FOR-PD Reading Specialist
Lourdes >> My role at FOR-PD is to work with the content of the course, the assignments, and assist participants...
Lourdes >> while your facilitator is your first contact for help, please also feel free to email or call me if you have any issues...
Lourdes >> my email is losmith@mail.ucf.edu and my number is 4073842076...
Lourdes >> At this time, does anyone have any questions regarding the content, the assignments, or a general question about FOR-PD?
Lourdes >> While some of you may be thinking of a particular question, I wanted to remind everyone about the importance of reading lesson 1...
Nancy >> I have been able to easily find everything .
Lourdes >> Lesson 1 has vital information regarding the course and how to navigate through the content and assignments...
Janice >> !
Lourdes >> I'm glad to hear that, Nancy
Lourdes >> Janice, go ahead with your question
Janice >> I was just wondering if there is a way ...
Janice >> to check and see if you have completed everything...
Janice >> as required on the lesson#
Lourdes >> that's a good question, Janice...the best way is to print off the task list given at the beginning of the lesson...
Lourdes >> you can then check off each item that was required...
Lourdes >> for the most part, each lesson has a reading, a discussion assignment, a literacy log assignment, and a quiz
Lourdes >> that is true for all lessons except 2 and 12
Lourdes >> for those two lessons you only need to complete the reading and the quiz...
Lourdes >> Since the discussion, literacy log, and quiz are located in different places, there is not one area you can view to check to see if they all were completed, although you can check each section
Lourdes >> dos that help, Janice?
Janice >> Yes, thanks
Lourdes >> oh, I'm glad...let us know if you need any further help on that...
Lourdes >> As we work through lessons 2 and 3 this week, I hope you are enjoying the links and resources...
Janet >> !
Lourdes >> Yes, Janet
Janet >> For clarification, this week we combine lessons 2 &3#
Lourdes >> that's right, Janet. Due to the shortened schedule we needed to create for fall 2007, lessons and 2 and 3 are due this week...
Lourdes >> for lesson 2, it's just the readings and the quiz, but for lesson 3 you will do a quiz, literacy log, and discussion posting
Lourdes >> does that help, Janet?
Janet >> Yes#
Lourdes >> great!
Lourdes >> with regard to lesson 2, we hear from many participants about how their assumptions and beliefs about the teaching of reading has changed...
Lourdes >> it is easy for us each to forget how we may have learned to read and the steps that had to be taken...
Lourdes >> reading has so many processes and is important for all teachers to realize what is needed...
Lourdes >> In lesson 3, as some of you may
have noted, it is quite amazing to see what makes an exemplary
teacher...
Lourdes >> as teachers we see ourselves doing those things every day, and it's good to reflect on how we have exemplary qualities and on what other qualities we might want to focus on...
Nancy >>
Lourdes >> Does anyone have any comments or questions regarding the content in lessons 2 and 3? We'd love to hear from you.
Lourdes >> Yes, Nancy...did you want to share or ask a question?
Nancy >> I need to input something or I get bumped offline.
Lourdes >> oh, that's fine
Lourdes >> have you started lessons 2 and 3, Nancy?
Nancy >> yes
Lourdes >> good to hear, it's important to keep up with the schedule...
Lourdes >> is your background in reading or do you teach a content area?
Nancy >> I have already printed off lessons 4 and 5
Nancy >> NBPTS science
Lourdes >> As a National Board member I am sure you already have many wonderful teaching strategies...
Lourdes >> I think we'll be able to provide you with some new ones, I think you'll greatly enjoy our content area strategies in lesson 10...
Nancy >> Thanks for the heads up.
Lourdes >> Although we are a small group, please know that our project is here to help....
Lourdes >> so, if anyone is having any problems, or know of a classmate that is, please contact us...
Nancy >> Will do.
Lourdes >> We want this to be an enjoyable time of learning and growth...
Lourdes >> at this time, are there any more questions on content, technology, assignments, or FOR-PD?
Janice >> !
Nancy >> None here.
Lourdes >> Yes, Janice
Janice >> Do you know of anything that you can do to help with ...
Janice >> reading off the computer screen? My eyes really bother me.#
Melanie >> Janice...
Melanie >> you can adjust the font size on your web browser...
Melanie >> you can also, copy and paste the content into Word (or similar program) and adjust the font size there...
Melanie >> also, some people prefer to print the content and read it from paper, then go back to the course site for the resources and such...
Melanie >> hopefully any of these choices will help.
Janice >> Yes I've been printing out the lessons so far, I don't think it's so much font...
Janice >> size but more like screen contrast. Thought maybe you might have some...
Melanie >> you can also adjust the screen resolution...
Janice >> ideas for that.
Melanie >> and play with the settings on your monitor...
Melanie >> you might be able to adjust the brightness, contrast, etc..
Melanie >> but everyone has their preference.
Melanie >> well I think we might wrap up early tonight, since it's a small group...
Janice >> Will try that. Thanks.#
Melanie >> Janice, Janet, did either of you have any more questions?
Janet >> No, this has been helpful-thanks#
Janice >> No, I'm fine. Thanks #
Melanie >> you're welcome
Melanie >> Well, thank you for joining us and have a good night. Let us know if we can help again in the future.
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> hi Jerry
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> are you here for the tech/chat
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> we wrapped up a little early
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> I am the reading specialist at forpd
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> can I help you with a question or concern
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> if you are having problems, you just can type in the box that reads enter your message and then hit enter
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> Jerry klein I was just wondering if I open the lit log to see what format is used is that ok
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> yes
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> you should be able to open it and then leave it,
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> if for some reason it processes, you can open and create another one
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> there are no limits and you won't be locked out of those
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> Is it cornell notes format
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> for lesson 3?
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> it is similar
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> yes
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> you'll have a box where you'll type in exemplary reading
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> then another column for writing what you learned and a third for writing your observation and opinions
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> it's slightly different than cornell
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> Hi Jane
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> the tech/course chat wrapped up a little early
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> I'm the reading specialist
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> do you have any questions I can assist you with?
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> Is that where the lit log quiz is located
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> right, Jerry
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> the lit log is currently listed under a quiz setting
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> it's just how we had to create the item in WebCT
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> we were limited on design of that item, but it works well
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> Jane, did you have any questions?
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> jerry, did you have anything else?
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> What do we do with the reflection page
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> at the bottom of each lesson's introduction page, there is a list of guiding questions
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> you will choose one of those and then complete the reflection log, located as the 2nd part of the literacy log,
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> an example for lesson 3 might be if you chose: What can you do from this point on to improve reading instruction in your classroom?
Jane Miller (janemiller)>> When I post a discussion, how do you get your name in the author section?
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> you would use that as a guide as you go through and reflect on what you currently do, what you want to do, the resources, and implementation...
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> it automatically does it if you are posting from your account
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> it will show up when you post
Jane Miller (janemiller)>> Thanks, I seem to be having the most difficulty with the technical aspects. I'm not really a 'computer person"
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> So that will be posted in the same spot as lit log there are two format sheets
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> the literacy log has two portions, one is the strategy and one is the reflection
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> they are connected together
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> but, remember, they won't look the same as they do on the PDF version because of how the WebCT is set-up
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> Jane, if you have any issues at all, please contact myself at losmith@mail.ucf.edu or the forpd help desk at forpdhelp@mail.ucf.edu
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> we are here to help in both technology and content
Jane Miller (janemiller)>> Thank you I will. signing off now, going to work on my discussion for the lesson
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> no problem, Jane
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> Jerry, did you have anything else
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> Thanks that should help there are a few teachers at our school with the same question
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> well, please contact us, or have them contact us if there is still confusion
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> we really want to make sure things are workable and understandable
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> Can I talk to a teacher in my school if he is in a different group through the discussion link
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> no, if he's in a different course, you will not be able to reach him
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> if he's in the same course, it will work
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> He is in the same course
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> oh, then you can send him course mail and also post to the discussion board and he should be able to see it without issue
Jerry Klein (jerryklein)>> Thanks for the help
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> but, when I say course, I mean the same exact section as you
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> we have many courses occurring at one time, 85 this fall
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> he has to be in the same one with the same facilitator as you
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> I just wanted to clarify
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> have a good night jerry
Lourdes Smith (lourdessmith)>> email me at losmith@mail.ucf.edu if you have any questions at all
