Midstate College

Message from the Director of eLearning

Dear Students:

I would like to personally welcome you to Midstate eLearning. Since 1998 Midstate College has offered eLearning as an alternative to on-campus courses, allowing non-traditional and working students to successfully complete their education within their own schedules. The philosophy of Midstate eLearning is that student-to-student and student-to-instructor interaction is the foundation of learning success.

Midstate eLearning courses are delivered using ANGEL, a learning management system designed to provide weekly lectures, collect assignments, facilitate communication, and allow graded work to be available for the duration of the course.

Midstate College uses student feedback to enhance course quality and improve the experience for future eLearning students. At the conclusion of the term, you will be asked to submit an anonymous final course evaluation for each class in which you are enrolled. These evaluations help us continually improve the quality of Midstate eLearning. I look forward to your continued feedback.

System Requirements for eLearning

In order to participate in Midstate eLearning, students must have access to a computer which meets following system requirements:

Operating System

• Windows XP (Service Pack 2 required)
• Windows Vista (Service Pack 1 recommended)
• Mac OS X 10.4 or higher

Memory

• 256 megabytes of RAM (512 or more recommended)

Browser

• Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or higher

Software

• Up-to-date antivirus (Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition recommended.)
• Adobe Flash Player
• Adobe Reader 8.1 or higher
• Sun Java Runtime Environment 6 or higher
• Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 (available from Technical Support.)

Internet Connection

• 56 kb/s or faster Internet connection (DSL or cable modem recommended)

Screen Resolution

• 1024 X 768 or higher
• 32 bit color

Hardware

• CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive
• Speakers
• Printer

eLearning Student Policies

All students are expected to abide by the policies outlined in the Midstate College Student Handbook and the Midstate College Catalog. In addition, the following policies apply to eLearning students:

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to maintain a high level of academic honesty. Contrary actions such as cheating, plagiarism, or giving unauthorized help on examinations or assignments may result in an instructor giving a student a failing grade for the assignment or test and also recommending the student be given a failing grade for the course and/or be subject to dismissal.

Plagiarism is using another person's words without giving credit to the author. Original speeches, publications, and artistic creations are sources for research. If students use the author's words in their assignments, they must acknowledge the source. Plagiarism is strictly against the academic policy of the college and is grounds for failing the course. If repeated, plagiarism may result in suspension from the college.

eLearning instructors utilize a service called Turnitin to check student work for plagiarism. This service compares the student work against previously submitted papers, journals, periodicals, books, and web pages. Turnitin continues to support Midstate College in reducing incidences of plagiarism.

If students have questions about plagiarism, they can find more information at www.plagiarism.org. This website gives tips on how to avoid Internet-based and conventional plagiarism, and provides guidelines for proper citation. This site also offers suggestions to students on ways to develop good research and writing skills.

Grade Appeal Policy

Students may appeal a grade by contacting Student Records. All appeals must be in writing and received within a six week period following the end of the term. A committee of administrators will then review the appeal. The decision of the committee is final.

eLearning Attendance Policy

Attendance has proven to be a key factor in academic success. To be considered in attendance for an eLearning course, the student must log on to the course each week. Attendance is not the same as participation.

eLearning Participation Policy

The value of an eLearning course depends upon student participation. Students are required to participate a minimum of two days per week in each course. Instructors define their specific participation and grading policies in the course syllabi.

Maintenance of Academic Standing

In order to remain eligible for eLearning, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. If a student's grade point average falls below 2.0, he/she will be put on academic probation and/or will not allowed to enroll in another eLearning course.

Activity Tracking

Students should be aware that their eLearning activity can be observed by instructors and administration. Activity tracking includes (but is not limited to) coursework, learner profile, chat, and course mail.

Withdrawal

A student who does not feel that he/she can complete an eLearning course should seek counseling from his/her Program Director or contact Student Records to discuss options for withdrawal.

What to Expect from eLearning

The following is a description of what to expect from eLearning:

• Courses are asynchronous, meaning students can participate at their own convenience throughout the week.
• The eLearning term is divided into twelve weeks (six weeks for a mini term), each of which extends from noon Monday through 8 a.m. the following Monday.
• Students have access to new weekly course content every Monday afternoon.
• Students are required to participate a minimum of two days per week in each course.
• eLearning courses can require more time and commitment than traditional courses. Students can expect to spend up to ten hours per week.
• Students can easily view graded materials and cumulative gradebook information.
• Technical Support is available to help students who experience technical problems with Midstate eLearning. Students can call, email, or complete a technical support request form to receive assistance.
• eLearning requires students to stay organized, read instructions, and be self-disciplined throughout each week working on assignments and interacting with classmates.
• Instructors may ask students to access the online library resources to complete research papers and other projects.
• Lectures may be presented as text-based or in an audio/visual format.
• Additional course content may be presented in PDF format or bookmarked as links.
• Students can interact with and ask questions of instructors using the general discussion forum or course mail. If additional communication is needed, time can be scheduled to meet with the instructor using the interactive chat tools.

eLearning Student Guidelines

Midstate College has provided a list of important eLearning student guidelines. Please review the guidelines listed below:

• Students are required to use course mail for all classroom communication in eLearning courses.
• Students are required to log on to each course to be counted present for the week.
• Students are required to review the course lecture each week. Lectures may be available in several formats.
• Students will respond to questions posted in the weekly discussion forums with ideas, thoughts, research, and reactions to the discussion topics at least two days per week. Students enrolled in a mini-term should be prepared to participate at least four days per week.
• Students will prepare a summary each week. The instructor will specify how the summary is to be submitted.
• Students will post assignments to the appropriate drop box. If an assignment is submitted late, the instructor may not accept it or may deduct points from the grade at his/her discretion.
• Students should check course mail and the gradebook each week to review graded materials and feedback from the instructor.
• Students may be required to participate in group assignments. Group members can communicate using course mail, live chat, and designated discussion forums.
• Students experiencing technical problems should contact Technical Support. Students who cannot complete coursework due to these problems should notify their instructors immediately.
• Students should ensure that all course mail, discussion forum posts, and assignments have been spell checked and meet eLearning etiquette standards.

eLearning Communication Etiquette

Midstate College expects students to follow basic etiquette in online interaction. Please follow the guidelines listed below for eLearning communication etiquette:

• Avoid sending course mail and discussion forum posts with incorrect spelling and grammar. Use the "Check Spelling" feature where available.
• Avoid using abbreviations and acronyms that may confuse the instructor and/or classmates.
• Avoid using emoticons. Emoticons (a.k.a. "smilies") are a series of letters, numbers, and/or punctuation which can be used to convey an emotion. Emoticons can clutter a message and make it difficult to read.
• Avoid using sarcasm. Written text can easily be misinterpreted.
• Avoid using all capital letters in a message. Using all capital letters can make messages difficult to read.
• Avoid posting irrelevant information in discussion forums. Discussions should be relevant to the topic assigned by the instructor. Students can utilize tools under the Communications tab for casual conversation.
• Avoid sending course mail or assignments without a clearly defined subject. Messages which are vague or unspecific are easy to overlook.
• Avoid sending attachments that others may not be able to open. Instructors should specify which applications are to be used. For example, research papers and writing assignments will generally be composed using Microsoft Word.

eLearning Log On

The eLearning Log On page is a secure, publicly available gateway which allows access to Midstate eLearning. This page also features access to a variety of resources, including Public Information, Search and Help, and Public Announcements.

Log On

To gain access to Midstate eLearning the user is required to enter a username and password. This system features 128 bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption and is restricted to only those individuals who are currently enrolled in eLearning courses. To log on to Midstate eLearning, complete the following steps:

1. Enter https://elearning.midstate.edu in the web browser's address bar. Midstate eLearning can also be accessed via a link on the http://online.midstate.edu website.
   
2. Fill in the username text box. Midstate usernames consist of a string of letters and numbers that uniquely identifies the user. The username is typically the first initial followed by the last name (e.g. "jsmith" for John Smith). In some instances, the username may include a middle initial or number (e.g. "jasmith" or "jsmith2").
3. Fill in the password text box. The default password to Midstate eLearning is the user's first and last initials (all lowercase), followed immediately by the last four digits of the user's Social Security Number (e.g. "js1234"). It is strongly recommended that students change this default password.
4. Click on the "Log On" button.
   

NOTE: If the Midstate eLearning password is changed, it will not apply to any other Midstate systems such as email, on-campus network, etc. It is strongly suggested that if users change their password in one system, they should change their passwords in all other systems. In the event that a user should forget his/her password, Technical Support cannot retrieve a changed password, but can reset it to the Midstate College default.

Public Information

The Public Information section of the eLearning Log On page contains links to Midstate College resources. Some of these links may require a username and password.

Search and Help

The Search and Help section of the eLearning Log On page contains links to a variety of guides, tutorials, contact information, and downloads designed to assist both new and experienced eLearning users. Some links may require a username and password.

Public Announcements

The Public Announcements section of the eLearning Log On page lists important notices for all users. Such announcements may include course registration, system downtime, school closures, and other important information. Some announcements may contain links that require a username and password.

Top Stories

The Top Stories section of the eLearning Log On page contains notices from certain departments that are targeted towards smaller groups of students. Any links in Top Stories will generally not require a username and password.

Home Page

Once logged on, users will be redirected to the Home page. This page features access to a variety of resources, including Courses, New Mail, Community Groups, My Announcements, Today's Calendar, and the Toolbox. The contents of the Home page can be customized by each user. To return to the Home page at any time, click on the "Home" icon in the sidebar.

Courses

The Courses section of the Home page contains a list of courses in which the user is currently enrolled. The user can edit how these courses are displayed by clicking on the "Edit" button in the title bar of this section.

NOTE: To facilitate incompletes and grading, courses will remain visible up to five weeks after the end of the term. During this time, this list will contain courses in which the user was enrolled from the previous term.

My Announcements

The My Announcements section of the Home page contains messages from the Midstate College administration, staff, and/or faculty directed specifically at the user.

Today's Calendar

The Today's Calendar section of the Home page contains public, team, and personal calendar entries for the current day. The user can access his/her personal calendar by clicking on the "Today's Calendar" label in the title bar of this section.

Toolbox

The Toolbox section of the Home page contains a set of tools used customize and maintain content within Midstate eLearning. This section contains links to Bookmarks, Files, Calendar, and Public Resources.

Bookmarks

The Bookmarks section of the Toolbox allows the user to create a personalized set of links to other websites. To create a bookmark, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Bookmarks" link in the Toolbox section of the Home page.
   
2. Click on the "Add a Bookmark" link in the Bookmarks page.
   
3. Enter a title for the bookmark in the "Title" text box. This title will be the link the user clicks on to go to the specified URL.
4. Enter the address of the website to which the bookmark will be linked in the "URL" text box (e.g. http://online.midstate.edu).
5. Enter a brief description for the website in the "Description" text box.
6. From the "Target" drop-down box, select the target frame or window in which the link should be opened. Target options include "Same Window", "New Window", "Parent Window", and "Top Window".
7. From the "Category" drop-down box, select a category under which the link will be displayed in the bookmarks list. New categories can be added to the drop-down box by clicking on the "Other" button.
8. From the "Viewable By" drop-down box, select the minimum level of rights another user must have in order to view the related bookmark.
9. Click on the "Save" button.
   

Files

The Files section of the Toolbox is used to store personal files in such a way that they can be accessed from any computer on the Internet. For example, one could upload an incomplete term paper to the Files section, then could download the file to another computer to continue working on it. To access the Files page, click on the "Files" link in the Toolbox.

NOTE: There is a limit of two megabytes for each user in the Files section.

Add Content - The "Add Content" link allows the user to upload and create files and folders in the Files section. For more information, see the Adding Content section of the eLearning Extras chapter.

Download All - The "Download All" link allows the user to copy everything in the Files section to his/her computer in the form of a ZIP archive. To download all files, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Download All" link in the Files page.
2. Click on the "Save" button when prompted. Please note that the Save dialog box will vary based on the web browser and operating system.
   
3. Choose a location and filename in the Save As dialog box.
4. Click on the "Save" button.
   

Calendar

The Calendar section of the Toolbox contains an annotated list of events, along with their associated dates and times. Such events can be public, meaning that they apply to multiple users, or personal, meaning that they are viewable only by the user. All events, whether public or private, may be viewed in a variety of formats and timeframes. To access the Calendar page, click on the "Calendar" link in the Toolbox.

1. The "Format" links allow the user to choose how the calendar entries will be formatted. The "List" link displays the events in a chronological list, while the "Grid" link arranges the calendar in a table format.
2. The "View" links restrict the calendar to display events in a particular day, week, month, or year.
3. The "Navigation" links allow the user to cycle through days via the use of the "Previous" and "Next" links or use the "Search" link to locate a specific calendar entry. The "Today" link returns the calendar to the current day.
4. The "Entries" links allow the user to choose whether public, team, or personal entries are displayed. By default, all calendar entries are shown.

Adding a Calendar Entry - Entries may be added to the user's personal calendar. Such entries may include academic events, such as a reminder to complete an assignment, or private events, such as a doctor's appointment. Periodic (e.g. weekly) events may also be scheduled. To add a personal calendar entry, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Add" link in the Calendar page.
   
2. Enter a title for the event in the "Title" text box. The spelling of this title may be checked by clicking on the "Check Spelling" link. For more information, see the Check Spelling section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
3. Select a category from the "Category" drop-down box. The "Other" button may be used to create a new category.
4. Enter an optional contact name in the "Contact" text box.
5. Enter an optional location for the event in the "Location" text box.
6. Enter optional event notes in the "Notes" text area. For more information, see the HTML Editor section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
7. Enter an optional password for the entry in the "Password" and "Confirm" text boxes. Both text boxes must contain an identical password.
8. Select a start date for the event via the "Date" drop-down boxes. Alternatively, the button with the calendar icon can be used to choose a start date.
9. Select a start time for the event via the "Time" drop-down boxes.
10. Select a duration for the event via the "Duration" drop-down boxes.
11. If this event will recur periodically, click on the "Recurrence" button and specify the days on which it will recur.
12. Click on the "Save" button to save the event to the personal calendar.
    

Editing a Calendar Entry - Event details are sometimes changed. For example, an event might be rescheduled. To edit a personal calendar entry, complete the following steps:

1. Hover the mouse cursor over the calendar entry to be edited.
2. Click on the "Edit" button from the list of options presented. The entry details may now be changed as explained in Adding a Calendar Entry.
   

Deleting a Calendar Entry - The user may wish to delete a personal entry from his/her calendar. For example, the event might have been cancelled. To delete a personal calendar entry, complete the following steps:

1. Hover the mouse cursor over the calendar entry to be deleted.
2. Click on the "Delete" button from the list of options presented.
   
3. Click on the "OK" button when prompted for confirmation.
   

Exporting a Calendar Entry - Event details can be exported to the user's computer for import into another calendar application, such as Lotus Notes or Microsoft Outlook. To export an event, complete the following steps:

1. Hover the mouse cursor over the calendar entry to be exported.
2. Click on the "Export" button from the list of options presented.
3. Choose a location and filename in the Save As dialog box.
4. Click on the "Save" button.
   

Public Resources

The Public Resources section of the Toolbox provides access to a variety of useful resources, including Public Information, Search and Help, and Public Announcements. To access the Public Resources section, click on the "Public Resources" link in the Toolbox.

1. The Log Off section of the Public Resources page allows the user to log off of Midstate eLearning or return to the Home page.
2. The Public Information section of the Public Resources page contains links to useful Midstate College resources. Some of these links may require a username and password.
3. The Search and Help section of the Public Resources page contains links to a variety of guides, tutorials, contact information, and downloads designed to assist both new and experienced eLearning users. Some links may require a username and password.
4. The Public Announcements section of the Public Resources page lists important notices for all users. Such announcements may include course registration, system downtime, school closures, and other important information. Some announcements may contain links that require a username and password.

Log Off

Once a session has been completed it is strongly recommended that the user log off of Midstate eLearning. This system is restricted to only those individuals who are currently enrolled in eLearning courses. Leaving a session without properly logging off could possibly expose the user's personal data to unwanted third parties. To log off of Midstate eLearning, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Log Off" icon in the sidebar.
2. Click on the "OK" button in the conformation dialog box.
   

Help

The Help page is an information resource that provides assistance to eLearning students. This page contains links to documents, technical support contact information, and third-party downloads. To access the Help page, click on the "Help" icon in the sidebar.

1. The eLearning Help Directory section contains several files, some of which can be downloaded and viewed offline with Adobe Reader. Some links may require a username and password.
2. The Contacting Technical Support section lists several options for requesting technical support. Please note that any questions or concerns regarding course material should be directed to the instructor. Technical Support can be contacted by phone at (309)692-4883 or via email at support@midstate.edu.
3. The Downloads section contains links to required and/or useful software packages. Any software in this section can be downloaded and installed free of charge.

Online eLearning Help

The Online eLearning Help provides an online version of the eLearning Student Guide. To access Online eLearning Help, click the link on the help page.

1. The "Home" button returns the user to the first page of the guide.
2. The "Print" button will print the currently displayed help page.
3. The "Help" button will return the user to the "eLearning Help" page.
4. The "Help Topics" area provides a nested folder view of the topics for which help is available.
5. The Content Area displays the help page for the currently chosen topic in the "Help Topics" area.
6. The "Previous" link displays the help information for the previous topic in the "Help Topics" area.
7. The "Next" link displays the help information for the next topic in the "Help Topics" area.

Preferences

The Preferences page allows the user to customize various aspects of Midstate eLearning. The user can enter personal information, change his/her password, customize the interface, and specify system settings. To access the Preferences page, click on the "Preferences" icon in the sidebar.

Personal Information

The User Profile Editor page allows the user to enter personal details, a biography, organizational information, and contact settings. To access the User Profile Editor, click on the "Personal Information" link in the Preferences page.

1. The "Name Settings" section allows the user to enter his/her name. Changes should not be made to these fields without notifying Student Records.
2. The "About Me" section allows the user to enter a biography. Many instructors require students to complete this section as an introduction to classmates. For more information, see the HTML Editor section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
3. The "Organizational Settings" section allows the user to enter a job title. Entering a job title is generally not necessary for eLearning students.
4. The "Contact Settings" section allows the user to enter his/her phone numbers, personal web page, and street address. The user can specify which groups of eLearning users are allowed to view this information. Please keep in mind that changing the default settings may make personal information visible to other users.

Change Password

The Change Password page allows the user to change the password that he/she uses to access Midstate eLearning. It is strongly recommended that the default password be changed. To change the password, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Change Password" link in the Preferences page.
   
2. Enter the current password into the "Current Password" text box.
3. Enter the desired new password into the "New Password" and "Confirm" text boxes. Both text boxes must contain an identical password.
4. Click on the "OK" button.
   

Theme Selector

The Theme Selector page allows the user to customize the graphical look of Midstate eLearning. The user can choose from various themes, each with its own distinct color set. To change the theme, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Theme Selector" link in the Preferences page.
   
2. Select the desired theme from the "Available Themes" list box.
3. Click on the "Home" and "Course" tabs to preview the chosen theme.
4. Click on the "Apply" button to accept the theme selection.
   

NOTE: It is strongly recommended that users not change the default Midstate theme.

System Settings

The System Settings page allows the user to change technical aspects about how he/she interacts with the system. The user can specify his/her expertise level, local drive assignments, and mail settings. To access the System Settings page, click on the "System Settings" link in the Preferences page.

1. The "User Level" section allows the user to specify his/her expertise level. More advanced levels reduce the number of descriptions provided with various links within Midstate eLearning.
2. The "Local Drive Settings" section allows the user to assign specific letters to various disk drives on the local system. This information is not used by Midstate eLearning.
3. The "Mail Settings" section allows the user to forward all course mail to an email address. Please be advised that all communication within a course should be via course mail, even if messages are forwarded to an email account.

Instant Messenger

The Instant Messenger utility allows real-time text communication between two or more users of Midstate eLearning. To access this utility, click on the "Instant Messenger" icon in the sidebar.

1. The "Name" tabs allow users to keep track of multiple one-on-one conversations simultaneously. Clicking on the "All Users" tab will show the conversations of all users currently involved in chat sessions.
2. The "Conversation" window displays the conversation between users.
3. The "Users" window has three options for displaying who is currently online, what groups or courses the user is currently enrolled in, and which users are currently being ignored. To ignore a user, right-click on the user's name and choose "Ignore".
4. The "Speed" spinner can be set to increase or decrease the scroll speed of the conversation window.
5. The "To" drop-down box allows the user to choose the message recipient.
6. The "Message" text box allows the user to compose a message.
7. The "Send" button posts the message to the conversation window so it can be viewed by others currently involved in the chat session.

Section 508 Display Mode

Section 508 is a US government statute mandating web accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Within Midstate eLearning, the Section 508 Display Mode is a method of displaying information in such a way that those with disabilities can more easily access course content.

Activating Section 508 Display Mode

If the user requires assistive technologies such as a screen reader, Midstate eLearning offers a Section 508 Display Mode. To access this feature, click on the "Section 508 Display Mode" icon in the sidebar.

Managing Profiles

The "Accessibility Menu" allows the user to manage accessibility profiles. Each profile contains settings that improve the usability of Midstate eLearning for those individuals with disabilities.

1. The "Active Profile" section shows whether a profile is currently active.
2. The "My Profiles" section lists all profiles that the user has set up. The user may click one of these profiles to activate, edit, or delete it.
3. The "Create a Profile" section allows the user to name the profile and click the "Submit" to specify its settings. For more information, see the Creating a Profile section of this chapter.
4. "The Upload a Profile" section allows the user to upload a file and specify the profile's name.

Creating a Profile

Profiles allow the user to specify custom settings to improve the accessibility of Midstate eLearning. To create a profile, complete the following steps:

1. Enter a name in the "Profile Name" text box.
2. Cick the "Submit" button.
   
3. Confirm the name for this profile in the "Profile Name" text box.
4. Enter an optional description for the profile in the "Profile Description" text box.
5. Click on the "Next" button.
   
6. Check any of the check boxes to edit the specified settings.
7. Click on the "Next" button.
   
8. In the "Font Settings" drop-down boxes, select the desired font face and font size.
9. In the "Color Settings" section, choose the desired background, text, and link colors.
10. Click on the "Next" button.
    
11. In the "Color Avoidance" drop-down boxes, select color combinations to avoid.
12. Click on the "Next" button.
    
13. In the "Screen Reader" drop-down boxes, choose the desired settings to have page content spoken out loud.
14. Click on the "Next" button.
    
15. In the "Stylesheet URL" text box, enter the URL of an external cascading stylesheet to use.
16. Click on the "Finish" button.
    

Exiting Section 508 Display Mode

If the Section 508 Display Mode has been activated, the user can return to Normal Display Mode at any time. To return to Normal Display Mode, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Section 508 Display Mode" icon in the sidebar.
   
2. Click on the "Restore system defaults" link.
   
3. Click on the "Return to Site" link.
   

PDA Display Mode

Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) are small portable devices, typically with Internet access, that are used for organization and communication. Because these devices often have trouble with complicated websites, Midstate eLearning has a special mode that is optimized for PDAs.

Activating PDA Display Mode

If the user has a personal data assistant (PDA) or other hand-held device, he/she can optimize the Midstate eLearning environment by activating the PDA Display Mode. To activate the PDA Display Mode, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "PDA Display Mode" icon in the sidebar.
   
2. Click on the "OK" button to confirm the activation of PDA Display Mode.
   

Exiting PDA Display Mode

If the PDA Display Mode has been activated, the user can return to Normal Display Mode at any time. To return to Normal Display Mode, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Home" link to return to the Home page.
2. Click on the "Normal Display" link in the Site Menu at the bottom of the page.
   
3. Click on the "OK" button when prompted, "Are you sure you want to return to Normal Display Mode?"
   

Accessing Courses

The Courses section of the Home page contains a list of all courses in which the user is currently enrolled. To access a particular course, click on the desired link in the Courses section.

NOTE: To facilitate incompletes and grading, courses will remain visible up to five weeks after the end of the term. During this time, this list will contain courses in which the user was enrolled from the previous term.

Guide

The Guide section contains navigational aids and links to updated course content. When the Guide is activated, a pane will expand showing the Map, What's New, Tasks, and Search utilities. The Guide can be expanded and collapsed by clicking on the "Guide" icon in the sidebar.

Map

The Map utility provides navigational aids for all sections within a course. A popular use for the Map is navigating through the content within the Lessons folder. To activate this utility, click on the "Map" heading in the Guide.

1. The "expand" link located at the top of the Map utility expands all folders.
2. The "collapse" link located at the top of the Map utility collapses all folders.
3. The (+) sign to the left of any folder expands the nested folder contents.
4. The (-) sign to the left of any folder collapses the expanded folder contents.
5. Clicking on any item located in the Map loads that item into the content area.

What's New

The What's New utility displays any new course content such as course mail, lectures, and discussion forum posts. To activate this utility, click on the "What's New" heading in the Guide.

1. The drop-down box located at the top of the What's New utility is used to change to another view, such as "last logon", "last week", or "last two weeks".
2. The calendar icon is used to change the view to any arbitrary date.
3. The "Refresh" link reloads the contents of the What's New utility.
4. The (+) sign to the left of any item expands the nested contents.
5. The (-) sign to the left of any item collapses the expanded contents.
6. Clicking on any item in the What's New utility loads that item into the content area.

Tasks

The Tasks utility displays milestones, personal tasks, unread mail, unread discussion posts, and ungraded assignments. To activate this utility, click on the "Tasks" heading in the Guide.

1. The "Refresh" link reloads the contents of the Tasks utility.
2. The (+) sign to the left of any item expands the nested contents.
3. The (-) sign to the left of any item collapses the expanded contents.
4. Clicking on any item in the Tasks utility loads that item into the content area.

Search

The Search utility allows the user to search for specific keywords within the calendar, content, course mail, and roster of the present course. To activate this utility, click on the "Search" heading in the Guide.

1. The drop-down box located at the top of the Search utility is used to search within specific areas of the course.
2. Keywords can be entered in the search text box.
3. The "Search" button initiates the search.
4. The "advanced search" link provides further options to refine the search.

Resources

The Resources tab is located in the banner and is the first page users see when entering a course. The default Resources page contains Course Announcements, Activity at a Glance, Institutional Resources, Course Resources, Course Roster, and Wikipedia search.

NOTE: Instructors may change the content of this page for individual courses.

Course Announcements

The Course Announcements section of the Resources page may contain important updates and other vital information. These announcements are displayed each time the user accesses the course.

Activity at a Glance

The Activity at a Glance section of the Resources page displays Logons, Mail Messages, Discussion Posts, and Submissions of the past seven days in a graphical view. To obtain additional information, click on any of the Activity at a glance charts. The Reports Console will display additional information.

Institutional Resources

The Institutional Resources section of the Resources page provides access to a variety of useful Midstate College services. The Institutional Resources section is organized into folders which can be expanded to show the individual links.

Course Resources

The Course Resources section of the Resources page may contain useful links that have been added by the instructor. The Course Resources section is organized into folders which can be expanded to show the individual links.

Course Roster

The Course Roster section of the Resources page displays the names, email addresses, and user profiles of the students and instructor. To access the course roster, click on the "Course Roster" link.

1. If an individual has uploaded an image into his/her user profile, it can be viewed by clicking on the "Show Pictures" link in the toolbar.
2. A Roster Search can be performed by entering a person's name in the "Roster Search" text box and clicking on the "Search" button.
3. User profiles can be viewed by clicking on the "User Profile" link. The profile contains information such as the person's name, email address, and autobiography.

Wikipedia

The Wikipedia section of the Resources page allows access to an online reference library which is comprised of contributions from individuals around the world. This section provides encyclopedia, dictionary, and ebook searches. Wikipedia can be used to quickly look up terms or aid in research.

NOTE: Be aware that Wikipedia may not be considered an approved academic source. Refer to the instructor's policies for approved sources.

Lessons

The Lessons tab contains the course syllabus and twelve (six for a mini-term) weekly folders. The weekly folders contain a variety of items, including lectures, discussion forums, quizzes, and drop boxes. Weekly content can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate folder in the Lessons page.

Syllabus

The Syllabus is the first item to appear in the Lessons page. The syllabus contains course objectives, requirements, and week-by-week assignments. It is strongly recommended that students print a copy of the syllabus.

NOTE: The syllabus is in DOC format and requires Microsoft Word for viewing. To obtain Microsoft Word, contact Technical support.

Folder

Folders allow related course content to be stored in an organized fashion. The weekly folders contain the majority of the content required for each week, and typically contain an overview, lecture, discussion and summary forums, examinations, and drop boxes.

Page

Pages contain course content such as weekly overviews, text lectures, and relevant articles. Students can only view and print the information contained on a page.

Link

Links provide connections to Internet resources such as audio lectures.

Assessment

Assessments are used for pretests, posttests, examinations, and quizzes. Questions may be presented in a variety of formats, including multiple-choice, true/false, matching, short answer, and essay. All questions are automatically graded except for short answer and essay questions, which require manual grading. Some assessments may restrict the maximum number of attempts or the time allotted for completion. It is strongly recommended that the user read the instructions before beginning the assessment.

1. "Available" indicates if the assessment can be taken.
2. "Max Attempts" shows how many times the assessment can be taken.
3. "Review" shows how much feedback will be provided once the assessment has been completed.
4. "Anonymous" indicates whether the instructor will know which student has taken the assessment.
5. "Time Limit" shows how much time will be allotted for completion of the assessment. When a timed assessment is started, a timer will be visible in the upper right-hand corner of the content area.

Completing an Assessment

To take an assessment, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the assessment in the weekly folder.
   
2. Read the directions for the assessment.
3. Click on the "Begin Assessment" link. If the assessment is timed, a message will appear stating how many minutes are given to complete it. Click on the "Continue" button to proceed.
   
4. Click on the "Submit" button when the assessment is complete. The instructor may have set options on the assessment which will warn of incomplete items or allow the student to review correct answers.
   

Saving an Assessment

If an assessment is not timed, the user may save his/her answers and return later to complete it. To save a quiz, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Save and Continue Later" button at the bottom of the assessment.
   
2. Click on the "OK" button to save and exit the quiz.
   

Resuming an Assessment

To resume a saved assessment, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the assessment in the weekly folder.
   
2. Click on the "Resume Assessment" link.
   
3. Click on the "Submit" button when the assessment is complete. The instructor may have set options on the assessment which will warn of incomplete items or allow the student to review correct answers.
   

Survey

Surveys are used to gather opinions about a particular subject or topic. They are generally anonymous so that opinions can be freely stated without fear of reprisal.

Completing a Survey

To take a survey, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the survey in the weekly folder.
   
2. Read the directions for the survey.
3. Click on the "Begin Survey" link.
   
4. Click on the "Submit" button when the survey is complete.
   

Saving a Survey

The user may save a survey and return later to complete it. To save a survey, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Save Answers" button at the bottom of the survey.
   
2. Click on the "Finish Later" button to save and exit the survey.
   

Resuming a Survey

To resume a saved survey, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the survey in the weekly folder.
   
2. Click on the "Resume Survey" link.
   
3. Click on the "Submit" button when the survey is complete.
   

File

Files may be provided as assignment templates within a course. To access a file, click on it in the weekly folder.

Drop Box

Drop boxes provide a secure method for submitting assignments. Only the student and the instructor can access the submission. There are two methods for submitting an assignment to a drop box. The first method involves entering data into a text area, while the second requires uploading a file as an attachment. To submit an assignment, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the appropriate drop box in the weekly folder.
   
2. Enter a title in the "Title" text box.
3. Enter the assignment content in the "Message" text area. The "HTML Editor" link may be used to format the text. For more information, see the HTML Editor section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
4. Click on the "Attachments" button to attach a file. For more information, see the Adding Content section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
5. Click on the "Submit" button to upload the completed assignment.
   
6. Click on the "OK" button when notified that the submission was successful.
   

Crossword Puzzle

Crossword puzzles are very similar to their pen-and-paper counterparts. The puzzle consists of vertical and horizontal rows of boxes, with each row representing one word and each box representing one letter. The rows interlock where the words share letters. To solve a crossword puzzle, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the crossword puzzle in the weekly folder.
   
2. Click on any empty box to activate the clue for that word.
   
3. After reading the clue, enter the answer into the box provided. Click on the "X" in the upper right-hand corner to exit this question without providing an answer.
4. Click on the "Hint" button to have one of the letters of the answer provided as a clue. Each subsequent click will provide an additional letter of the word. Be aware that the number of hints that a student requests is recorded and may impact the grade.
5. Click on the "Submit" button to finalize the answer. If the answer is incorrect, the user will be notified. If the answer is correct, it will appear in the appropriate boxes in the puzzle.
   
6. After the entire puzzle has been filled in correctly by repeating steps 3 through 5, click on the "Submit" button to submit the puzzle for grading.
   
7. Click on the "Continue" button after reading the summary screen.
   

Quiz Show

Quiz shows are reminiscent of television game shows. Quiz shows have several categories, each consisting of one or more questions of varying dollar amounts. Correct answers add the question's value to the student's score, while incorrect answers subtract from the score. To take part in a quiz show, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the quiz show in the weekly folder.
   
2. Note the score in the lower right-hand corner.
3. Click on an available dollar value beneath the chosen category. The example shows Math for $100. Questions which have not been answered are shown in a lighter color than those which have been answered.
   
4. Click on the radio button to choose the option that best answers the question.
5. Click on the "Submit" button to finalize the answer. A message will indicate whether the answer is correct, and the appropriate dollar value will be added to or subtracted from the score.
   
6. Click on the "Close" button to return to the quiz show.
   
7. When each question has been answered by repeating steps 3 through 6, click on the "Submit" button to submit the quiz show for grading.
   
8. Click on the "Continue" button after reading the summary screen.
   

IMS/SCORM Package

IMS/SCORM packages are collections of content sometimes included with textbooks and other learning materials. To access an IMS/SCORM package, click on it in the weekly folder.

Discussion Forum

Discussion forums are used by students and instructors for asynchronous communication. The user can post a message to the discussion forum so classmates can read and reply to it. Discussion forums can be restricted using a Required Post permission setting, which requires a student to create a new post before he/she can read or reply to submissions from other members of the course. To enter a discussion forum, click on it in the weekly folder.

Discussion forums are divided into two sections. The top section contains a list of posts while the bottom shows the currently selected post.

1. The "Utilities" link allows the user to print individual or all discussion forum posts.
2. The "New Post" link allows the user to create a new post within the discussion forum.
3. The "Directions" link displays the instructor's directions in the lower section of the discussion forum.
4. The "Search" link allows the user to search throughout the discussion forum posts by author, subject, message text, etc.
5. The "Exit" link in the upper right hand corner of the screen closes the discussion forum.
6. The "Edit" link allows the author to make modifications to the currently viewed post. Some instructors may disable this feature.
7. The "Reply" link allows the user to respond to the post currently being viewed.
8. The "Thread" link displays all child posts of the one currently being viewed.
9. The "Mail Author" link allows the user to send a course mail message directly to the author of the currently viewed post.
10. The "Print" link allows the user to print the currently viewed post.
11. The "Up" navigational link allows the user to display the parent of the currently viewed post (if one is present).
12. The "Previous Message" navigational link allows the user to display the previous post.
13. The "Next Message" navigational link allows the user to display the next post.

Printing a Discussion Forum

The Print Discussion Forum page allows the user to print some or all threads within a discussion forum. To print a discussion forum, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Utilities" link.
   
2. Click on the "Print Discussion Forum" link in the Utilities Menu page.
   
3. Check all of the forum threads to be printed. By default, all threads are checked. The "Select All" and "Unselect All" buttons can be used to quickly modify the selection.
4. Click on the "Print Threads" button to open a new browser window displaying the discussion forum threads in a print-ready format.
   

Creating a New Post

A new post is an original message added to a discussion forum. To create a new post, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "New Post" link.
   
2. Enter a subject for the post into the "Subject" text box.
3. Enter the content for the post into the "Message" text area. For more information, see the HTML Editor section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
   
4. Click on the "Attachments" button to attach a file. For more information, see the Adding Content section of the eLearning Extras chapter. Some instructors may not allow attachments in discussion forums.
5. Click on the "Preview" button to view the message before posting.
6. Click on the "Post" button.
   

Replying to a Post

A reply is a response to an existing post. To post a reply, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Reply" link.
   
2. The "Subject" text box contains the subject of the original message.
3. Enter the content for the post into the "Message" text area. For more information, see the HTML Editor section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
   
4. Click on the "Quote Original Message" link to include the original post into the Message text area.
5. Click on the "Attachments" button to attach a file. For more information, see the Adding Content section of the eLearning Extras chapter. Some instructors may not allow attachments in discussion forums.
6. Click on the "Preview" button to view the message before posting.
7. Click on the "Post" button.
   

Editing a Post

The "Edit" link allows the user to make changes to his/her posts. Some instructors may disable this feature. To edit an existing post, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Edit" link.
   
2. If desired, change the subject of the post in the "Subject" text box.
3. If desired, change the content of the post in the "Message" text area. For more information, see the HTML Editor section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
   
4. Click on the "Attachments" button to attach a file. For more information, see the Adding Content section of the eLearning Extras chapter. Some instructors may not allow attachments in discussion forums.
5. Click on the "Preview" button to view the message before posting.
6. Click on the "Save Changes" button.
   

Blog

Blogs are online personal journals commonly used for professional, political, or personal commentary. Entries are displayed in reverse chronological order. Comments may be entered for an entry by anyone at any time, but only the author can edit an entry. To access a blog, click on it in the weekly folder.

1. "Start" hides all currently-displayed blog entries and shows the initial Welcome entry.
2. "New Entry" creates a new blog entry. For more information, see the Create a Blog Entry section of this chapter.
3. "Search" will look for the specified text among all blog entries and comments.
4. "Help" displays a special blog entry that describes how to apply special formatting to text.
5. "Edit" allows the author to make changes to the currently displayed blog entry.
6. "Close" will hide the currently displayed entry.
7. "Close Others" will hide all blog entries except for the one that is currently displayed.
8. "References" shows all entries that link to the currently displayed entry.
9. "Jump" allows the user to choose another blog entry to display from a list.
10. "Rollback" allows the user to undo recent changes to the currently displayed entry.
11. The display controls allow the user to choose which blog entries to view.
12. The currently viewed blog title, author, and entry are shown here.
13. The comments section allows a user to view and add commentary to the currently displayed entry.

Creating a Blog Entry

New entries can be created in a blog, which will in turn be available for others to comment on. To create a new entry, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "new entry" button.
2. In the "Title" text box, enter a descriptive title for this blog entry.
3. In the "Tags" text box, enter words or terms that can be used to further describe this blog entry.
4. Enter the text of the blog entry in the text area provided.
5. Click the "Save" link to save the entry. Alternatively, the new entry may be cancelled, deleted, or the changes rolled back by clicking on one of the other links.
   

Wiki

Wikis are online tools that allow multiple authors to collaborate. They are virtually identical to blogs, only differing in that any user may edit any entry, regardless of authorship. Entries are displayed in reverse chronological order. To access a wiki, click on it in the weekly folder.

1. "Start" hides all currently-displayed wiki entries and shows the initial Welcome entry.
2. "New Entry" creates a new wiki entry. For more information, see the Create a Wiki Entry section of this chapter.
3. "Search" will look for the specified text among all wiki entries and comments.
4. "Help" displays a special wiki entry that describes how to apply special formatting to text.
5. "Edit" allows the author to make changes to the currently displayed wiki entry.
6. "Close" will hide the currently displayed entry.
7. "Close Others" will hide all wiki entries except for the one that is currently displayed.
8. "References" shows all entries that link to the currently displayed entry.
9. "Jump" allows the user to choose another wiki entry to display from a list.
10. "Rollback" allows the user to undo recent changes to the currently displayed entry.
11. The display controls allow the user to choose which wiki entries to view.
12. The currently viewed wiki title, author, and entry are shown here.
13. The comments section allows a user to view and add commentary to the currently displayed entry.

Creating a Wiki Entry

New entries can be created in a wiki, which will in turn be available for others to comment on. To create a new entry, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "new entry" button.
2. In the "Title" text box, enter a descriptive title for this wiki entry.
3. In the "Tags" text box, enter words or terms that can be used to further describe this wiki entry.
4. Enter the text of the wiki entry in the text area provided.
5. Click the "Save" link to save the entry. Alternatively, the new entry may be cancelled, deleted, or the changes rolled back by clicking on one of the other links.
   

Course Syndication Folder

Course Syndication Folders are like regular folders, except they are used to provide links to external media. Such links can include podcasts and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. To access a course syndication folder, click on it in the weekly folder.

Communications

The Communications tab provides several tools for synchronous and asynchronous communication between students and instructors within a single course. The Communications page displays such items as Course Mail, Course News and Events, and Live Office Hours.

Course Mail

Course Mail is the primary means within Midstate eLearning for students and instructors to send and receive messages which are pertinent to the course. Each course has its own course mail that students should check frequently.

NOTE: Course Mail is specific to each course and should not be confused with Midstate College email. All communication within a course should be via course mail.

Folder View

The Folder View page allows users to compose a new message, view a list of incoming messages, and complete various other tasks.

1. The "Compose New Message" button allows the user to send a new message. For more information, see the Sending Course Mail section of this chapter.
2. The "Preferences" button allows the user to specify message format preferences and to forward course mail to an email address. Please be advised that all communication within a course should be via course mail, even if messages are forwarded to an email account. For more information, see the User Course Mail Preferences section of this chapter.
3. The "Search" text box and button allow the user to search for a particular word or set of words within his/her course mail.
4. The "Actions" drop-down box and button allow the user to perform various operations on a selected message, such as deleting it, moving it into a folder, and marking it as read.
5. The "Filter" drop-down box and button allow the user to change which course's mail is displayed. The "Personal" and "System" options are not used.
6. The "System Folders" section shows those folders which are provided by default. These folders include "Drafts" for incomplete messages, "Inbox" for incoming messages, "Sent" for messages sent by the user, and "Trash" for deleted messages.
7. The "My Folders" section shows folders that have been created by the user. The drop-down arrow allows the user to create, rename, and delete folders.
8. The column headers can be dragged onto the blue bar to sort by that particular field.
9. The message area displays each course mail message in a particular folder.

Message View

The Message View allows users to perform various operations, including reading, replying to, and forwarding course mail messages.

1. The "Return to Inbox" button takes the user to the Inbox folder. For more information, see the Folder View section of this chapter.
2. The "Compose New Message" button allows the user to send a new message. For more information, see the Sending Course Mail section of this chapter.
3. The "Actions" drop-down box and button allow the user to perform various operations on the current message, such as deleting it, moving it into a folder, and marking it as read.
4. The "Reply" button allows the user to reply solely to the sender of the course mail message. For more information, see the Sending Course Mail section of this chapter.
5. The "Reply All" button allows the user to reply to the sender and all recipients of the message. For more information, see the Sending Course Mail section of this chapter.
6. The "Forward" button allows the user to send a course mail to a third party. For more information, see the Sending Course Mail section of this chapter.
7. The "Previous" button displays the previous message in the current folder.
8. The "Next" button displays the next message in the current folder.
9. The "Print" button will print the current message.
10. The "System Folders" section shows those folders which are provided by default. These include "Drafts" for incomplete messages, "Inbox" for incoming messages, "Sent" for messages sent by the user, and "Trash" for deleted messages.
11. The "My Folders" section shows folders that have been created by the user. The drop-down arrow allows the user to create, rename, and delete folders.

Reading Course Mail

The "View Inbox" link allows users to view course mail messages from other members of a particular course in which they are enrolled. To read a course mail message, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "View Inbox" link to enter the "Inbox" folder. For more information on folders, see the Folder View section of this chapter.
   
2. Click on a message's sender or subject link to view the course mail. For more information on viewing a message, see the Message View section of this chapter.
   

Sending Course Mail

The "Quick Message" link allows users to send new messages to other members of the particular course in which they are enrolled. To send a course mail message, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Quick Message" link.
   
2. Click on the "To" button to choose the recipient(s).
   
3. Click the desired recipient(s) in the list.
4. Click on the "To->" button to add the chosen recipient(s).
5. Click on the "Cc->" and "Bcc->" buttons to carbon copy and/or blind carbon copy the chosen recipient(s).
6. Click on the "OK" button to accept the chosen recipient(s).
   
7. Enter a subject for the course mail into the "Subject" text box.
8. Select a priority for the course mail from the "Priority" drop-down box. The choices include "Low", "Medium", and "High".
9. Enter the course mail message into the message area. For more information, see the HTML Editor section of the eLearning Extras chapter.
10. Click on the "Attach files" link to attach a file. For more information, see the Course Mail Attachments section of this chapter.
11. Click on the "Send" button to send the course mail message.
    

Course Mail Attachments

Similar to email, course mail allows files from the local computer to be attached to a message. To attach a file to a course mail, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Select" button.
2. Navigate to the file to be attached and click the "Open" button.
3. To add more files, click on the "Add" button and repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. If the wrong file was accidentally chosen, the checkbox and "Delete" button may be used to remove the file. This action will not delete the file from the local computer.
5. Click on the "Upload" button to attach the chosen file(s).
   

Course Mail Preferences

The "User Course Mail Preferences" page allows users to specify message format preferences and to forward course mail to an email address. To access the User Course Mail Preferences, click on the "Preferences" button in the Folder View.

1. The "Message Format" drop-down box allows the user to choose between "HTML" and "Plain-Text" messages. HTML is required to choose colors and fonts.
2. The "Font Preference" drop-down box allows the user to select a default font for course mail messages.
3. The "Font Color" drop-down box allows the user to select a default color for course mail messages.
4. The "Number of messages per page" drop-down box allows the user to select the number of messages shown in the Folder View. For more information, see the Folder View section of this chapter.
5. The "Forward to Internet E-Mail" drop-down box allows the user to forward course mail messages to an email account. Please be advised that all communication within a course should be via course mail, even if messages are forwarded to an email account. For more information, see the User Course Mail Preferences section of this chapter.
6. The "Email Address" text box allows the user to specify an email address for forwarding.
7. The "Signature Options" section allows the user to specify a block of text that will appear at the bottom of every message sent by that user.
8. The "Automatically spell check messages before sending" checkbox instructs Midstate eLearning to spell check each course mail message sent by that user.
9. The "Save" button saves the preference changes made by the user.
10. The "Cancel" button exits the User Course Mail Preferences screen without saving any changes made by the user.

Course News and Events

The Course News and Events section allows the instructor to create course-specific notifications and/or gather student feedback. This section includes links to Announcements, News, and Polls.

Announcements

The Announcements page contains important course updates and other vital course information. To view course announcements, click on the "Announcements" link in the Course News and Events section.

Within the Course Announcements page the user has several options for customizing the manner in which the announcements are displayed.

1. The "Refresh" link reloads the page to display any new announcements that have been added since the page was loaded.
2. The "Past" link displays any announcements which have been set to expire prior to the current date.
3. The "Present" link displays any announcements which have not yet expired.
4. The "All" link displays all announcements, regardless of expiration date.
5. The "Ascending" and "Descending" links sort the announcements list by date. This link will change based on which option is currently selected.
6. The "Done" button returns the user to the main Communications page.

News

The News page contains news articles and resources relevant to the course subject. To view course articles, click on the "News" link in the Course News and Events section.

1. The "Refresh" link reloads the page to display any new articles that have been added since the page was loaded.
2. The "Past" link displays any articles which have been set to expire prior to the current date.
3. The "Present" link displays any articles which have not yet expired.
4. The "All" link displays all articles, regardless of expiration date.
5. The "Headlines" link displays a simplified list of article headlines.
6. The "Abstracts" link displays a brief synopsis with each headline.
7. The "Complete Details" link displays the entire news article.
8. The "Done" button returns the user to the main Communications page.

Polls

The Polls page is used to gather anonymous student feedback. To view and complete a course poll, click on the "Polls" link in the Course News and Events section.

1. The "Refresh" link reloads the page to display any new poll questions that have been added since the page was loaded.
2. Each question displays with the means to provide an answer.
3. The "Submit" button submits the poll.
4. The "Done" button returns the user to the main Communications page.

Live Chat

The Live Chat section provides real-time communication between two or more members of a course. Some instructors may disable this feature. To access Live Chat, click on the appropriate link in the Live Chat section.

NOTE: Live Chat requires the Java Runtime Environment. A link to download this software can be found by clicking on the "Help" icon in the sidebar. If any security warnings appear, click on the "Yes" and/or "Run" buttons to proceed.

Chat

The Chat tab provides a method for real-time communication between two or more members of Midstate eLearning. Within this window, students can enter and view messages to and from other users who are online at the same time.

1. The "Conversation" window displays the correspondence between users currently involved in the chat session.
2. The "Users" window has two options for displaying who is currently online and who is currently being ignored. To ignore a user, right-click on the user's name and choose "Ignore".
3. The "Message" text area allows the user to compose a message.
4. The "Send" button posts the message to the conversation window so it can be viewed by others currently involved in the chat session.

Desktop Sharing

The Desktop Sharing tab allows an instructor to share his/her desktop. This feature can be used to demonstrate step-by-step directions relevant to the course content being learned. The students and instructor can chat while the desktop sharing demonstration is running.

1. The "Maximize desktop sharing" icon maximizes the desktop area. The normal viewing mode can be restored by clicking on the "Exit Fullscreen Mode" link.
2. The "Desktop" window shows the instructor's desktop. This window displays all actions performed by the instructor.
3. The "Users" window displays who is currently online.
4. The "Conversation" window displays the correspondence between users currently involved in the chat session.
5. The "Message" text area allows the user to compose a message.
6. The "Send" button posts the message to the conversation window so it can be viewed by others currently involved in the chat session.

White Board

The White Board tab allows the students and instructor to collaborate in real-time. This feature contains a variety of tools that allow users to draw shapes, lines, and text.

1. The toolbar contains drawing, insertion, and deletion tools. To create an object in the White Board window, click on the appropriate toolbar icon.
2. The "White Board" window is a canvas into which multiple users can contribute.
3. The "Users" window displays who is currently online.
4. The "Conversation" window displays the correspondence between users currently involved in the chat session.
5. The "Message" text area allows the user to compose a message.
6. The "Send" button posts the message to the conversation window so it can be viewed by others currently involved in the chat session.

Options

The Options tab allows the user to change the font color, the desktop sharing resolution, and the message scroll speed. These options can be saved for future live chats.

1. "Font Color" allows the user to change the color of his/her text in the message window.
2. The "Message scroll speed" spinner can be set to increase or decrease the scroll speed of the conversation window.
3. The "Save Options" link saves the options for this particular live chat.

Live Office Hours

The Live Office Hours section acts as a virtual office allowing the instructor and a single student to interact in real-time. The hours are posted in the Live Office Hours section and in the course calendar. Click on the office hours link to activate Live Chat.

Calendar

The Calendar tab contains an annotated list of events, along with their associated dates and times. Such events can be public, meaning that they apply to all members of the course, or personal, meaning that they are viewable only by the user. All events, whether public or private, may be viewed in several different formats and timeframes. To view the details of a specific event, click on its entry in the Calendar.

1. The "Format" links allow the user to choose how to view the calendar entries. The "List" link displays the events in a chronological list, while the "Grid" link arranges the calendar in a table format.
2. The "View" links restrict the calendar to display events in a particular day, week, month, or year.
3. The "Navigation" links allow the user to cycle through days by clicking on the "Previous" and "Next" links. The "Today" link returns the calendar to the current day.
4. The "Entry" links allow the user to choose whether public, team, or personal entries are displayed. By default, all calendar entries are shown.

Exporting a Calendar Entry

Event details can be exported to the user's computer for import into another calendar application, such as Lotus Notes or Microsoft Outlook. To export an event, complete the following steps:

1. Hover the mouse cursor over the calendar entry to be exported.
2. Click on the "Export" button from the list of options presented.
3. Choose a location and filename in the Save As dialog box.
4. Click on the "Save" button.
   

Reports

The Reports tab contains tools to help students and instructors track individual course progress and grades. The Reports Console can display reports in various formats including graph and table views. Students can view their individual course grades, activities, and submissions.

Report Settings

The "Report Settings" tab allows the user to configure the parameters of the report. Such parameters include the data displayed, and the dates that the information is taken from.

1. The "Category" drop-down box allows the user to choose the category of report displayed in the Reports Console. There are three types of views, including Learner Profile, Grades, and Milestones.
2. The "Report" drop-down box allows the user to select the specific report to display.
3. The "User(s)" contains a drop-down box with the student's name; it cannot be changed.
4. The "Collapse" link hides and displays the "Configure Report" section.
5. The "Starting" drop-down box allows the user to select the start date of the report interval from a predefined list. The adjacent calendar icon permits the selection of a more precise date.
6. The "Ending before" drop-down box allows the user to select the end date of the report interval from a predefined list. The adjacent calendar icon permits the selection of a more precise date.
7. The "Select report view" drop-down box modifies the presentation style of the report. These options include Chart, Table, and Drill-down.
8. The "Run" button will execute the report and display the results.
9. The "Print Preview" button allows the user to download a PDF version of the report.
10. The "Send Report" button will open a new course mail with a PDF version of the report as an attachment. For more information, see the "Sending Course Mail" section of this chapter.
11. The "Export" button exports the document into HTML, CSV, and PDF formats.
12. The "Save" button allows the user to save the report so that it may be viewed again at a later time. For more information, see the "Saved Reports" section of this chapter.

Saved Reports

The "Saved Reports" tab contains report settings that have been saved so that they may be run again at any time.

1. The "Collapse" link hides and displays the list of saved reports.
2. The report link will run the specified report.
3. The drop-down arrow next to each report allows the user to run, edit, and delete the adjacent report.
4. The "Run previous report" button runs the preceding saved report in the list.
5. The "Run next report" button runs the next saved report in the list.

Adding Content

Within the Add Content page are controls that allow the user to upload and create files and folders in the Files Section. The directions in the Upload Files and Drag-n-Drop sections can also be used to create file attachments.

Create a Folder

Folders allow related files to be stored together in an organized fashion. For example, a user may wish to store all files related to a particular course in the same folder. To create a folder, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Create a Folder" link.
   
2. Enter a name for the folder in the "Folder Name" text box.
3. Click on the "OK" button to create the folder and return to the previous screen.
   

Create a File

This option allows the user to create a file from scratch instead of uploading one from his/her computer. To create a file, complete the following steps:

1. Click on the "Create a File" link.
   
2. Enter a name for the file in the "File Name" text box.
3. Enter the body of the file in the "File Contents" text area. The "HTML Editor" link can be used to format the text. For more information, see the HTML Editor section of this chapter.
4. Leave the "Unicode format" option checked.
5. Click on the "OK" button to create the file and return to the previous screen.