Collaboration
To participate in the Collaboration you must click on the Communication button or click on the Virtual Classroom button to go directly to this feature.

The Collaboration Tools allow the Instructor and Students to participate in real-time lessons and discussions. From this page users can search for and join Collaboration Sessions and view session archives.

When you access the Collaboration forum a screen similar to the following should appear:

When you access the Collaboration Forum your instructor may list a session for you to access. Each session will use either the Virtual Classroom or Lightweight Chat.

Virtual Classroom - Allows students to enter a real-time discussion with Instructors, and class members, access the Web, and engage in questions and answer sessions. You may also access the Whiteboard to display text and images.

Lightweight Chat - The Lightweight Chat is part of the Virtual Classroom, but can also be accessed separately. It allows users to open just the chat function of the Virtual Classroom.

Java Plug-In - The Java 2 Run Time Environment 1.3.1_04 or higher is required to use the Collaboration Tools. This plug-in may be downloaded from the pagethat appears when a user joins a Collaboration Session, or may be found at http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/index.html.

Joining a Session – You can find a session by using the Filter located on the navigational bar.

To join a session click the “Join” button.

If you choose a session that is using the Virtual Classroom tool then the following screen should appear:

Virtual Classroom

The Virtual Classroom will allow you to interact with your instructor and class members
in real time. From this area you can access tools that will allow you to “chat”, draw
pictures, view web pages, participate in breakout sessions and ask questions. The Virtual
Classroom consists of five main areas: Menu Bar, Classroom Tool Box, Chat, Participants and Whiteboard.

Menu Bar –Allows the instructor to manage participation, breakout sessions, and ending
the session.

Classroom Tool Box - This area contains the tools used during the Virtual Classroom
session.

Participants – This area will show who has entered the session and their role.

Chat – This is the area where a majority of the interaction will occur. Class members can
compose message, raise their hands to ask questions, and send private messages.

Whiteboard – This area is similar to a whiteboard used in a face-to-face classroom. Class
embers can draw images, type text, and present equations. Note: this feature is made
available by the instructor.

How To Chat
With a majority of your interaction taking place thorough the Chat feature the following is additional information on how to access and use this feature.

The Chat feature will allow you to interact with other class members and may be accessed as part of the Virtual Classroom or separately. When Chat is accessed apart from the Virtual Classroom, it is called Lightweight Chat.



Participants in the session are listed to the left of the screen with the Chat room located on the right of the screen

To compose a message you will need to type the message in the Compose field and click
Send.

The message will then appear in the Chat room.