Homework Discussion Area Instructions

New Version as of October 6, 2000

Note: We have changed to a new system for our discussion areas.  Please review these instructions on how to post your homework assignments to it.  Email Josh Baron at jbaron@stevens-tech.edu with questions.

Instructions for Posting a Message to the Discussion Area

1.      From the Workshop Web Page click on the link to the Homework Discussion Area.

2.      Once the discussion area loads up click on the "Conference" that corresponds to the workshop assignment you are currently working on (e.g. select the Week 2 Homework Discussion Area if you need to post the Week Two homework assignment).

3.      Next, click on the "Post" link that appears at the TOP of the screen.  Several text boxes, where you can type your message, will load up in the right-hand side of the screen.

4.      In the "Name" text box enter your name.  You can just use your first name if you do not wish to use your full name.

5.      In the "Email" text box enter in your full email address.  Check to make sure you enter in the correct address so that others can contact you directly if needed.  You will NOT be allowed to post a message if you do not include an email address.

6.      In the "Topic" text box please enter in the Course ID Code for the course you are enrolled in.  Your instructor can supply you with the correct Course ID Code. After the Course ID enter a few words that describe the content of your message (e.g. Great Earth Science Resources).

7.      Below the "header", you will see four check boxes.  You can just leave them as they appear or change them to meet your needs.

8.      In the large "Message" box type in your message.

9.      Once you have completed your message you can click on the "Post" button which appears to the RIGHT of the "Topic" text box.

10.  A new web page, titled "Message Preview" will load up in the right-hand side of the screen.  You can now review your posting before it becomes public.  If you find any mistakes that require correcting you can follow the on screen instructions.  Once you are ready to post your message, you can click on the "Post" button that appears on the "Message Preview" web page. You should now see the message you posted listed in the left-hand side of the screen.

11.  PLEASE NOTE: If you DO NOT see your message you will need to click on the "refresh" link located at the top of the screen.  This will reload the page and display the new message you posted.

Instructions for Reading a Message on the Discussion Area

1.      You will notice that the already posted messages are listed in chronological order with the newest messages at the bottom. The subject of each message is blue and underlined which indicates that you can click on it.

2.      Some of the postings may have plus signs (+) to the left of the subject.  This indicates that someone has replied to this posting.  To see the replies (or thread), simply click on the plus sign (+) and the thread will expand to show all of the replies that were made.

3.      To read a message simply click on the subject line of the message.  The contents of the message will appear in the right-hand side of the screen.

Instructions for Replying to a Message on the Discussion Area

1.      After reading a message you can reply to it by scrolling below the message to where it says "Reply to…" and clicking on it that text.

2.      Simply fill out the information in the same manner as when posting a message for the first time.

3.      When ready, click on the "Post" button that appears next to the "Topic" text box.