How to Participate in an Online WriteSPACE Conference

Step 1 Have a copy of the first draft of your essay visible to you, either on your computer screen in a separate window, on a separate computer or printed out on paper next to you (if you followed the essay submission instructions, I will also be looking at a copy of your essay during our conference).

Step 2 At the appointed start time of your conference, log into the course WriteSPACE Component, and then click on the Communication button in the left column. You will be taken to a page with two links, Collaboration and Personal Tutor. Click on the top one, the Collaboration link.

Step 3 A screen with the title Collaboration Sessions will appear. Near the bottom will be a table with two items, Lecture Hall and Office Hours. Click the Join button at the end of the Office Hours row.

A screen titled Launching Chat Tool will appear.

It’s very likely you will also see this pop-up window (if your browser isn’t set to block pop-ups; if it is, you should set your browser to allow pop-ups from cengage.blackboard.com). If you see this window, click on the Yes button.

If you got the previous window, you’ll probably see one like this too. Click on the Next > button.

If you got the previous two pop-ups, you’ll also get one like this. Click on the Yes button.

Finally, a window like the following will pop up. If both of us have successfully connected to WriteSPACE Chat, my name and yours will show up in the pane on the left under “Participants.”

If I have entered the room before you, I will send you a greeting to acknowledge both that I’m there and that I see that you have arrived, too. The greeting, like all the text of our online conversation, will appear in the box under “ Office Hours (Student).”

Step 4 You should acknowledge my greeting in some way so that I know you’re properly connected to the chat tool. To chat, type your message in the box next to “ Compose.” When your message is complete, press the ” Send “ button.

Your message will appear after your name in the box under “ Office Hours (Student).” We can then begin the conference by sending messages back and forth about your first essay draft in the manner described in the preceding slides.

Step 5 At the end of our conference, i.e. after either one of us desires to leave and makes our intention known, click the “x” in the upper right corner of the window to close the Chat tool and end our conference. I will then send you an archived version of our online conference that you can use to revise your first draft.