CTER Orientation Tutorial The Use of the WebBoard

1.1The WebBoard is a conferencing system that you access using a Web- browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. 1.2The WebBoard is used by all courses and allows a course to have its own conference space where students and instructors can interact as a group including sharing ideas, images, and documents. 1.3The WebBoard frame consists of a menu bar, message window, and conference menu. What is the WebBoard?

To access to WebBoard from CourseInfo, click on the External Links button. Then click on the link that will take you to the WebBoard site Accessing the Course WebBoard

If you have logged into the WebBoard at UIUC before, enter your Name and Password when the WebBoard page comes up as shown to the right. If you have never logged onto the UIUC WebBoard before, click on the NEW USER button and Complete the New User form Note: We suggest using your ID and password as your WebBoard login name and password. (Less things to remember later!) WebBoard Login

Once you have entered the course WebBoard, preview the different conferences on the left side that are available for you to join. Notice the many functions that the WebBoard button bar contains as you will need to initiate many of them from here such as Post, Chat, Refresh, & Help Course WebBoard

You will participate in different conferences by typing text messages and uploading files, etc. to a specific conference on the WebBoard. “Posting” these messages and assignments through the WebBoard will be an important part of your communication activities among classmates and the instructor. 5.1 Navigating the WebBoard

When you access the WebBoard Conferences you see a list of topics of messages/conferences posted. The [+] sign on the left of the topic indicates that the message has “threads” or answers posted by other users. When you click on the [+], a list of answers to that conference will be displayed. These can also have + sings to indicate postings to them. You can always read the messages by clicking on the [+] sign. The [-] sign indicates that the thread is open, or that there is no thread. Reading messages

(Message goes Here) Click on a message and select “Post” from the Menu Bar Fill in the Topic box and see that the Converting Line breaks to HTML and Preview/ Spell check boxes are checked, then type your message. Finish by clicking “Post”. Your message will appear in the conference window.6.3 Note: Refresh/Reload the page if your conference does not appear within 1-3 min. Posting to the Conference

Select Post from the Menu Bar Enter a topic, but do not type a message. 7.3Select the attach file box this time and attach a word or.rtf document that simply lists your name and that you are able to upload your “home work.” Finish by clicking Post. Your message will appear in the conference window.7.4 Note: Refresh/Reload the page if your conference does not appear within 1-3 min. Uploading a file to the WebBoard

Verify that your conference is visible as a sub-conference.8.1 Once you have posted your messages, click on the title in the conference area, and review the message and menu bar above. This menu bar allows you to reply, reply, delete, edit, etc. 8.2 Editing, Replying, Modifying

9.1Since the number of messages in each conference will become very large throughout the course, you will want to manage new material effectively. During each WebBoard session, make sure to read all new messages. At the end of the session click the Mark All Read button prior to logging off Next time you log into the WebBoard, you will be able to click on New Messages for a list of all new conferences posted since you last read them all. Management of your WebBoard

The Help menu is put together very well for the WebBoard and contains further information in detail for specific topics that are not covered in this brief tutorial. 10.1Help on additional topics can be found in the Help menu. Further Assistance

11.1Once you have completed your visit to the WebBoard, click the LOGOFF button to return to CourseInfo. LOGOFF Button Log Off

CTER Orientation Tutorial The Use of the WebBoard