Course Description and Related Concerns

This course, available only to teachers participating in the Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA), is part of a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) project through the WVU Center for Healthy Communities. A special emphasis of the course is human energy balance and its relationship to secondary level science and math. It is intended to enrich HSTA Teachers' knowledge, skills, and ideas in providing HSTA club programming as well as regular classroom instruction for secondary level students. The Spring 2003 semester course focused mainly on the energy expenditure component of human energy balance. This Fall 2003 semester offering continues to focus on energy expenditure and expands the focus to include the energy input (diet) component of human energy balance.

Teachers Taking Course: Two groups of HSTA teachers will be taking this course: (1) Those teachers who submitted proposals last Spring and are facilitating one of the six CDC-Supported HSTA Club Physical Activity Research Projects; and (2) All other teachers who have registered for this course. Some of the texts and assignments differ amongst these two groups. Accordingly, in this syllabus, reference will be made to "Teachers facilitating one of the six HSTA Club Physical Activity Research Projects" and "All other teachers."

Human and Animal Research. The instructor for this course can assist only in obtaining IRB approval for the six CDC-Supported HSTA Club Research Projects that emerged from proposals submitted Spring, 2003. Any human and vertebrate animal subjects research must be approved in advance by WVU. Human or animal subjects research that is conducted by HSTA teachers and students without advance IRB or Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) approval by WVU is not a part of this course.

Safety of All Club Activities: All HSTA club activities must be carried out in accordance with science safety precautions for the regular school classroom, which includes that students are not to do any activities that involve human pathogens or human body fluids. Here is the "Science Education Safety" website of the Council of State Science Supervisors, which also provides links to other valid safety resources: http://csss.enc.org/safety.htm . If in doubt about the safety of an activity, check with expert information sources or authorities before doing it.

Educational Activities and Human Energy Balance. This course includes doing educational activities with HSTA students related to the topic of human energy balance. Human energy balance encompasses the topic of body weight, dietary intake, and physical activity. There are many educational activities on the topic of human energy balance that can be done that do not involve actually measuring your students' body weight or the taking of other personal health measurements. An individual's body weight and other health measurements are confidential pieces of information. Your students are minors: If you want to include in your educational activity actually taking measurements of your students' body weight, body composition (e.g., skinfolds and circumferences), or other fitness measures, you need to have parent permission to do so in writing. Additionally, the measurements should always be voluntary. Your students should never be put in a position where they feel they have to be measured or required to disclose to other students their body weight or any other personal health information. Also, for taking body measurements such as body weight, body composition or physical endurance, you need to involve a qualified professional.

Additionally, any educational activity on the topic of overweight/obesity needs to be done in a manner that is respectful of all individuals regardless of body weight. Please be careful to not offend individuals who are overweight. Finally, if the educational activity involves physical activity, the physical activity needs to be done voluntarily: Do not force any HSTA student to participate in physical activity.

Course Registration 

By September, complete and return via postal mail or fax to the instructor (James Rye, see Instructor Contact Information below) the WVU Extended Learning Registration Form along with your check or credit card (payable to WVU) payment of $99 to cover course fees (the tuition is waived because of the grant we have from CDC). The form (.pdf file) can be downloaded here: http://www.wvu.edu/~exlearn/faculty/registrationform.pdf. To complete the section at the bottom on the front of the form (II. Registration Form), you will need to know:

• Course CRN#: 86198
• Subject: C&I
• Course #: 692
• Section: 6AA
• Credit Hours: 3
• Grd Opt: 2

If you already are a WVU graduate student, you need only complete the front of the form. However, if you pay by credit card, you will need also to complete the back side bottom of form.

If you are not currently a WVU graduate student, you may take this course for graduate credit only with the permission of the Instructor and this can only be allowed one time in your history as a WVU student. You also will be assessed the $10 "Professional Development" fee and will need to complete both sides of the form: Consult Instructor before registering.  Additionally, you must submit your application for admission to the WVU Graduate school at the same time that you register. You can apply on-line at the throught the WVU web site (see Graduate Admissions Information at http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/grad.html)

Instructor Contact Information

• James A. Rye, Associate Professor
• Allen Hall, Room 604L
• Email: jim.rye@mail.wvu.edu or you may use the private mail tool within WebCT (simply select my name).
• Postal Address: Department Educational Theory & Practice, WVU, P.O, Box 6122, WV 26506-6122.
• Phone: If you call between 8:15 am and 4: 45 pm, you can reach me through the HSTA toll-free number: 800-345-4267. My direct phone numbers, which have voice mail, are as follows: 304 293-3442 x1326 or 304 293-5578.
• Fax: 304 293-3802.
• Office Hours: Thursday, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm or by appointment. Pose questions/concerns via phone or email at any other time, however, the instructor can not always respond immediately.

Course Objectives For Enrolled Teachers

1. Explain in detail the energy providing nutrients and how the energy input component of human energy balance can contribute to overweight and obesity.

2. Describe recommended dietary changes for the reduction, control, and prevention of overweight and obesity.

3. Describe food and nutrition policies that might contribute to the prevention of overweight and obesity.

4. Identify misconceptions about diet as it relates to human energy balance and provide the scientific understandings.

5. Develop and provide science instruction and enrichment that (a) integrates the concepts of human energy balance, (b) applies mathematics and (c) aligns with the West Virginia Content Standards and Objectives (and accordingly, the National Science Education Standards) in science.

6. HSTA Teachers Facilitating One of the Six Funded HSTA Club Physical Activity Research Projects: Obtain IRB approval for projects and initiate related project activities.

Prerequisite Technology and Related Expectations

This course is delivered partially via "distance education" through the use of email, some on-line readings, a course web site, and on-line discussions at that course web site. Therefore, you need a computer with Internet access and email, and you need to know how to search the Internet and do email, including email attachments. You also need to know how to post messages with attachments to on-line discussion folders and reply to messages in threaded discussions. An orientation to posting is available at the course web site (see below). Additionally, you should have a copy of Adobe Acrobat® Reader (Viewer) software on your computer to enable you to read portable document files (.pdf). You can download a free copy of this reader at the Adobe web site: http://www.adobe.com/.

Please Note: It is very important that you check your personal email from the instructor at least once a week and respond as requested.

Course Texts and Electronic Resources

Texts Required

• Nutrition, Exercise, and Behavior (NEB). (Full citation: Summerfield, L. (2001). Nutrition, Exercise, and Behavior. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning). This text will be provided at the Fall workshop if you do not already possess a copy.
• Pedometer Power. (Full citation: Pangrazi, R., Beighle, A,. and Sidman, C. (2003). Pedometer Power. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.) This text will be mailed to you prior to the Fall workshop. NOTE: At the Fall workshop, all enrolled teachers will receive a set of up to 10 pedometers to use with their HSTA club students for educational activities.

Electronic Resources

Links to many electronic resources related to human energy balance are provided at:
http://www.wv-hsta.org/cdc_chc/project_resources.htm.

These resources include library databases, programs, and publications, which also can be accessed directly here: http://www.wv-hsta.org/cdc_chc/Grant_Proposal_Key_Pubs_Websites.htm. Note: Some of these resources (e.g., IRB) are specificially for teachers who are facilitating one of the six HSTA Club Physical Activity projects.

Given the added emphasis in this course on energy "intake," please note the "Food and Nutrition" resources available at this comprehensive site by the American Dietetic Association: http://www.eatright.org

Other Texts

Teachers who are implementing one of the 6 physical activity projects or who came to the Spring 2003 teacher workshop also have one or both of these texts, which may be of use in this course::

• Motivating People to Change. (Full citation: Marcus, B., and Forsyth, L. (2003). Motivating People to Change. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.)
• Promoting Physical Activity: A Guide for Community Action. (Full citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. (2000). Promoting Physical Activity: A Guide for Community Action. Champaign-Urbana, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.)

Calendar of Class Activities (Contact Time and Assignments).

This calendar is intended to provide an overview by month of the class activities. The class activities vary somewhat amongst the two groups of teachers taking this course: Those who are facilitating one of the 6 physical activity projects and all other enrolled teachers. A detailed explanation of class contact time and assignmnents along with due dates and associated points/grading is provided after this Calendar.

Class Contact Time

A 3-credit semester course at WVU has 45 contact hours (includes breaks) and attendance is expected. See the section on Grading to ascertain how attendance affects your course grade. As part of this 45 hours, you may count 24 hours of the total time that you spend planning and facilitating HSTA clubs during the Fall semester (24 hours is over 1/2 of the total contact time for this course).

• 24 hours: Facilitating your HSTA club meetings/activities, including helping students conceive their HSTA club projects for the 2003-2004 school year and complete related "Document 1." For teachers faciliating one of the 6 physical activity projects: This includes starting to implement the project, once it is IRB approved
• 10 Hours: Attending and participating in the Fall Semester HSTA Teacher workshop Sept 26-27 in Morgantown in 601 Allen Hall on the WVU Evansdale Campus OR Oct 3-4 in Charleston at Capital High School. A full agenda and directions are forthcoming. (10 hours).
• 10 to 5 hours. Attending the on-line threaded discussions. This means "Intiating" a threaded discussion and "participating and monitoring" by the dates specified in each of the three on-line Discussion Folders at the WebCT course web site (10 hours for teachers not faciliating one of the 6 physical activity projects; 5 hours for teachers facilitating the projects).
• 5 hours: Only teachers facilitating one of the 6 physical activity projects--5 hours spent in site visits by or 1:1 meetings/phone conferences with the instructor or WVU primary contact for your project.

Please Note: Because much of the class contact time dovetails with what you would do anyway as a HSTA teacher (club meetings, Fall workshop), please give considerable thought and attention to the on-line discussions as well as the assigned readings and other assignments described in the "Assignments" section of this syllabus. Your full participation in the discussions and assignments will help to make us a learning community, where we (and ultimately, our students) can benefit from the ideas, experiences, and feedback from each other. Thank you in advance.

Assignments: Detailed Explanation (including points and due dates

For a 3-credit course, each one hour (technically 50 minutes) spent in class contact time should be accompanied by 2 hours spent in "out-of-class" assignments. This means approximately 75 hours of time should be devoted to out-of-class assignments (including course readings) in a 3-credit class.

For enrolled teachers who are facilitating one of the six physical activity projects: Please apply most of this "out of class" time to further develop and implement your club project. Please see the above "Calendar of Class Activities" for some of the project activities that you will complete as a part of this "out of class" work. Instructions for these assignments have or will be provided to you under separate cover. Of the assignments described below, you are asked only to complete assignment # 3, and of this, only two of the threaded discussions (Folder 1 and Folder 3).

For all other teachers enrolled in this course: You are asked to complete all of the assignments below.

For all teachers enrolled in this course: Please read and adhere to the "Course Description and Related Concerns" that is provided at the beginning of this course in association with any activities that you do as part of this course. If you have any questions on the assignments that follow or assignments given in the Calendar of Class Activities that are not described below, please contact the instructor.

1. Pedometer Power Text Reading and Report for Club Activity to Share at Fall Workshop. 15 points; due at Fall Workshop. During September, read the entire text. Prepare a report (at least one page) that provides: (a) highlights of what you learned from the reading and (b) your ideas for 1-2 ways you might use the text and pedometers with the HSTA students for educational (not research) activities. Please make specific reference to page numbers from the text and how, if at all, you would modify or embellish specific activites from the text. Present oral report and written report to instructor at Fall workshop.

2. Electronic Resources, HSTA Club Activity, and Summary Report. 10 points; due at Fall Workshop. During September, visit some of the links at the Electronic Resources listed above for this course. Develop and provide an activity for the HSTA students using content from one or more the of the links. Your activity can have students directly interacting with these electronic resources if you like. (Note: Do not use the IRB or ethics training site for this activity. Other links listed under "Research" may be useful, but the activity that you do should be an educational activity, not a research activity that would involved collecting data from people or animals.) The report should be at least one page in length and include the following: (a) highlights of the site(s) you used and the specific URLs; (b) a description of the activity--provide enough detail so another teacher could "run with it;" (c) reflections on how the activity went (e.g., strengths, students reactions, changes you might make if you did it again). Email report to instructor by end of September.

3. Nutrition, Exercise and Behavior (NEB) Text Readings and Related On-Line "Threaded" Discussions in THREE Discussion Folders at WebCT Course Web Site. 30 points total. Due Date: See "Schedule for Discussion Folders" (table) below.

WebCT (http://webct.wvu.edu) is used to support the on-line discussions in this course. Here you will find an electronic version of this syllabus, discussion folders, and an orientation to the use of these discussion folders. We will not begin the "on-line" discussions until after the Fall HSTA Teacher Workshop.

Instructions for accessing WebCT: To log in, you must access the WebCT site (http://webct.wvu.edu/) and type in your Username and Password.

• Username: Type your wvu.edu email address without the @mix.wvu.edu. (e.g., jstudent). Your instructor may need to provide you with a username.
• Password (6 numbers): Type your day of birth (e.g., if you were born on May 4, it would "04") followed by the last four digits of your social security number. (e.g., 2303)
• Please do not give your password to other individuals.
• Detailed instructions for logging in to and troubleshooting problems with WebCT are appended at the end of this syllabus.

There will be "threaded discussions" in three different Discussion Folders. We will begin the first threaded discussion (Energy Providing Nutrients) on October 15, so please have Chapter 4 in NEB read prior to this time to you can put up your "initiating post" no later than October 15. Each threaded discussion will span approximately a 10-day time period. The threaded discussions in each Discussion Folder will be based on the assigned readings, including web sites provided in the readings. The schedule for the threaded discussions in these three Discussion Folders, and the related assigned readings, is provided in the table below. In each Discussion Folder, you are to do the following:

1. Initiate a threaded discussion through composing an "Initiating post."

2. Participate in the threaded discussions of at three of your colleagues by reading and replying to their initiating posts. Please attempt to participate in the threaded discussions initiated by all of your colleagues over the duration of this course, i.e., don't always reply to the same colleagues as we move from one Discussion Folder to the next.

3. Monitor your own threaded discussion by reading and replying to at least two of the responses you received.

In order for this system to work, you must make your postings by the specific dates shown in the Schedule Table below. Your postings should be relatively free from grammatical and typographical errors and any URLs should work: Please preview your post before posting it.

General "how to" guidelines for posting to the WebCT Discussion Board are appended to the end of this syllabus.

Here are instructions for what to include in your initiating, participating, and monitoring posts (messages):

Initiating Post. Each initiating post should be at least 300 words in length (this would be almost one page if it was double spaced, size 12, Times font). To avoid losing your post due to a computer malfunction or shutdown, type/save the post in a word processor first and then paste it into a compose window in the Discussion Folder. Make sure to type a "title" into the "subject box" of your post that attempts to capture the interest of your colleagues. If there is more than one assigned reading for the Discussion Folder, make sure to bring in each of the readings somewhere in your post. Also, please bring in one of the web sites that you visited; give the URL and please don't forget the "http" portion so it will hotlink. Use the "Preview" feature in your compose window before you actually "post" the message to insure the hotlink(s) work. In your post, include all three of the following:

1. Some of your thoughts, reactions and/or experiences relative to the assigned reading(s) and web site(s) visited. Sometimes, the instructor may ask you to provide your thoughts or reactions to specific content or a web site: Therefore, make sure to read the posting provided by the instructor in each Discussion Folder before composing your post.

2. An idea that you have for applying some content/concepts from one of the assigned readings in your HSTA club or regular classroom.

3. Substantive questions for your colleagues to stimulate some discussion about the assigned reading(s). Your questions can be related to applications of the content in everyday life or to instruction.

The instructor will provide an example "initiating post" for the first Discussion folder.

Participating and Monitoring Posts. No required length is given for the replies that you make to your colleagues, but your replies do need to be substantive and more than just two or three sentences. Their are two main purposes of replying: (a) to respond to your colleagues' questions and ideas and (b) to enrich the conversation that is enusing by contributing other relevant information, perspectives, and so on. If you find that you disagree with something that your colleague states, this is fine but please be respectful in your response. Feel free to provide a link to a related web site(s) as a part of your reply: Please include the "http://" portion and preview the post to insure the URL works..

Each of the 3 threaded discussion experiences (each Discussion Folder) is worth 10 points. Points awarded will be based collectively on your initiating, participating, and monitoring posts to the threaded discussions in that folder. It is not possible for the instructor to read all of your postings, so the grade assigned for each Discussion Folder will be based on the postings that he selects to read.

Schedule for Discussion Folder Postings (Threaded Discussions) and Related Assigned Readings

Due Dates for Postings This column lists the dates by which your initiating, participating, and monitoring posts need to be done. Before composing your initiating post, make sure to read the posting that the instructor has made in that Discussion Folder.	Readings to Complete Before Posting This column lists the readings that need to be completed prior to the date on which your initiating post is due for each Discussion Folder. Please continue to refer to these readings during the threaded discussions. The full reference as well as where and how to locate these readings is listed earlier in the syllabus under "Readings for On-line Discussions." As part of each reading, make sure to visit a couple web sites that are listed therein. Your initiating post is to be based on these readings and web site visits.
Folder 1: The Energy Nutrients
Oct 15 - Initiate Oct 16 -22 - Participate Oct 16 - 24 - Monitor	Nutrition, Exercise, and Behavior: Chapter 4
Folder 2: Eating Disorders
Oct 29 - Initiate Oct 30 - Nov 5- Participate Oct 30 - Nov 7- Monitor	Nutrition, Exercise, and Behavior: Chapter 2
Folder 3: Regulation of Eating Behavior and Body Weight
Nov 12- Initiate Nov 13-19 - Participate Nov 13 - 21 Monitor	Nutrition, Exercise, and Behavior: Chapter 8

4.  HSTA Club Meeting Reports.  25 points total. Due Dates: Email report to instructor within 5 days of the respective club meeting. 2 in Oct, 2 in Nov, 1 in Dec.

For your choice of FIVE HSTA club meetings that occur from September through December 10, email the instructor the plan/agenda and report about each meeting. Send the agenda and report as an attachment (or paste it into the email message) within five days of each meeting. The email should state the meeting date and length and have the following components:

• plan/agenda for the meeting;
• description of the experience(s) that occurred during the meeting; and
• reflections on the strengths and limitations as well as how you might improve or follow-up on the experience(s). 

Each report needs to be at least 300 words (this would be almost one page if it was double spaced, size 12, Times font). No points can be awarded if you are not present to facilitate each of these meetings. In your 5th (final) entry, please make some summary statements about strengths/highlights and problems encountered over the entire semester.

If two teachers enrolled in this course are facilitating the same club, you may use the same plan/agenda and description of experience, but you must submit your own reflection.

5. One Lesson Plan and Reflection for a HSTA Club Activity that Applies Content from Chapters 4 or 8 of the text, Nutrition, Exercise and Behavior. 20 points total. Due Date: By December 10

Please Note: There are many educational activities on the topic of energy nutrients and energy intake that can be done that do not involve actually measuring your students' body weights or the taking of other personal health measurements. An individual's body weight and other health measurements are confidential pieces of information. Your students are minors: If you want to include in your educational activity actually taking measurements of students' body weight, body composition (e.g., skinfolds and circumferences), or other fitness measures, you need to have parent permission in writing. Additionally, the measurements should always be voluntary. Students should never be put in a position where they feel they have to be measured or required to disclose to other students their body weight or any other personal health information. Also, for taking body measurements such as body weight, body composition or physical endurance, you need to involve a qualified professional.

Also, any educational activity on the topic of overweight/obesity needs to be done in a manner that is respectful of all individuals regardless of body weight. Please be careful to not offend individuals who are overweight. Additionally, if the educational activity involves physical activity, the physical activity needs to be done voluntarily: Do not force any HSTA student to participate in physical activity.

If two teachers enrolled in this course are facilitating the same club, you each will need to submit a different lesson plan, e.g., two separate HSTA club lesson plans or one club and one classroom lesson plan.

Specific Directions/Format

For one HSTA club meeting, develop a lesson plan for and provide a science/math enrichment activity for your HSTA club students. Share the lesson plan for and your reflections on doing this enrichment activity with the other teachers in this course through the WebCT discussion folder entitled "HSTA Club Activity." Your reflection should be the "message" and your lesson plan (see below) should be an attachment to your message.

Lesson Plan. Your lesson plan should contain the following components: Title; Key References (provide URLs if Internet); Objectives; Brief Description of Content/Skills Addressed; Advance Preparation and Materials Needed; Safety Precautions as Applicable; Procedures (see below).

Procedures. Please outine the procedures clearly and in sufficient detail so that another teacher could "run with it." If the procedures placed in your lesson plan include any information taken directly from another source, place that information in quotations and cite that source (give the full reference). If any of your procedures are adapted from another source, state "Adapted from (give citation)" in your lesson plan. If you link to an Internet site as a part of your procedures, state the name of that site in your procedures.

Grading 

The maximum points possible for the above assignments total 100. A grading scale based on the maximum points possible appears below. However, it is not possible to earn the 70 points needed for a C in this course if you miss the Fall HSTA Teacher workshop or or do not facilitate 24 hours of HSTA club meetings from August through December, 2003. Contact the instructor if special circumstances arise and in advance if at all possible. If you need to take a grade of Incomplete, the request must be made in writing and approved by the instructor no later than April 25. Such requests are approved only under special circumstances.

90-100 points   A

80-90 points    B

70-79 points    C

Assignments turned in as electronic files will not be returned, so please keep a copy.

Syllabus Changes.  The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the course syllabus.

Academic Integrity. "The academic development of students and the overall integrity of the institution are primary responsibilities of WVU.  Academic dishonesty is condemned at all levels of life, indicating an inability to meet and face issues and creating an atmosphere of mistrust, disrespect, and insecurity.  Faculty, students, and administrators have shared responsibilities in maintaining the academic integrity essential for the university to accomplish its mission." (West Virginia University 1998-2000 Graduate Catalog,  pp. 45-46.)

Social Justice Syllabus Statement.  West Virginia University is committed to social justice.  I concur with that commitment, and expect to foster a nurturing learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination.  Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin.  Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.  If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700)

How to Log Into WebCT

 1.  Go to http://webct.wvu.edu

 2.  Click on LogIn

 3.  You will be prompted for your username and password.

                  Username:   Type the name portion of your MIX user email account (do not include @mix.wvu.edu). For example, if your MIX email was "jdoe@mix.wvu.edu," you would type "jdoe".         

                  Password:    Type your day of birth (e.g., May 04 would be "04") followed by the last four digits of your social security number (e.g, 1234) and leave no spaces

                        Example: 

Username:  jdoe

Password:  041234

4.  Successful completion of steps 1 – 3 will take you into an area entitled My WebCT where you will see a list of the courses to which you have been given access. 

5.  Click on the Course title to access the course materials. 

Having Trouble Logging In?

What should I do if I don’t know my WVU MIX email address

If you do NOT know your wvu MIX email address

1.      Visit  http://directory.wvu.edu/.

2.      Perform a search for your name.

3.      If you do not find your MIX email address or your MIX account has been disabled, contact the WVU email helpdesk at (304)293-4444 ext. 1

            What should I do if I get the message : You entered an incorrect username or password?

1. WebCT login is case sensitive. Make sure that you do not have cap locks on and do not enter any spaces.

2. Type your User ID all lowercase.

3.  If your password does not work or you have forgotten it, contact your Instructor and ask him/her to reset your myWebCT password.

How to Log Out of WebCT

If you do not log out of WebCT, others using the same computer can get into your courses and see and modify your materials.

1.       Click the Log Out link in the upper right of your WebCT screen

OR

Close the browser window.

NOTE:  If you have more than one browser window open you must close them all, or click Log Out for all instances.

2.       If you are prompted by the browser with the option to have it remember your password, click NO.

SELECT YOUR DISCUSSION FOLDER (TOPIC): Before you click on the command "Compose Message," make sure you are in the correct Discussion Folder (also called Topic). You can select the Discussion Folder (Topic) that you want from a screen that shows the list of all Discussion Folders (Topics), or you can select the folder (topic) you want when you are already inside of any given folder (topic). In the screen shown above, the user already is inside of a given Discussion Folder (entitled STS Issue Discussions). how to select a different folder (topic) if you are already inside a folder. Note:: If you are not in the "correct" Discussion Folder (topic), your post will go into the wrong topic area and your colleagues likely will not read it.

COMPOSING YOUR MESSAGE: To start your own (a new) threaded discussion within a selected topic, (e.g., Folder 1: Overview) hit "Compose Message." In the screen that will follow, type in the "Subject" of your message and the text of your message (or you can paste in text that you have written and copied from another document, e.g., a Microsoft Word or NotePad file). If you want to include a link to an Internet site in the message, you must type the entire URL (include the "http://" portion). You will not be able to "test" if the link works untile you preview your message. Don't "post" the message yet: Continue reading below!

ATTACHING FILES TO YOUR MESSAGE: Sometimes you will want to attach a file(s) to your post. Below the message that you have composed, you will have the opportunity to "Browse" to the location of that file (e.g., a file on your floppy or in a folder on your hard drive) and then "attach" the file. Don't "post" the message yet: Continue reading!

PREVIEWING YOUR MESSAGE: Below the message that you have composed you are also given the opportunity to preview that message. Please always preview BEFORE posting to insure you are satisfied with what you said, including your use of grammar etc. Also, make sure to try out any URL hotlinks so you are confident that they "work," and, if you attached something, make sure it is really attached. If you are dissatisfied with anything in your message, hit "Edit," make your revisions, and preview your message again.

POSTING YOUR MESSAGE: Once you are satisfied with your message, hit "Post."

MAKING SURE YOUR POST GOT THERE: after you have clicked "post," make sure your message actually got posted. To do so, click "update listing" and see (scroll) if you message appears below. If it does not appear, then it did not get posted or it got posted in a different topic area! You will have to post it again, or if it is in the wrong topic area, ask your instructor to move it to the correct topic area.

READING YOUR COLLEAGUES' MESSAGES/POSTINGS: Simply click on the subject (title) of the message or the name of the person who posted the message and the message will appear. Once you read a post from a colleague, WEBCT remembers that you read it and will not show it as being there. Hit "Show All" if you want to read it again. See notes below:

• If there is a triangle to the left of the title of any message, that means there are replies to that message below that message. If you want to see the titles of those replies, or read or reply to any of those replies, you must click the triangle so the titles of those replies will appear.
• While you are looking at any given message, you can go immediately to the next message in that threaded discussion by clicking on the command at the bottom of that message entitled "Next Message in Thread."

REPLYING TO MESSAGES: While you are viewing the message of a colleague, you can reply to that message by clicking on "reply" or "quote"--but do not hit "Compose." When you are done with typing your message, please change the words in the Subject Box to reflect the nature of your reply (The subject box will say "Re: Topic"--change those words to reflect the essence of your reply. See notes below:

• If you hit "quote," you will be able to read your colleague's message while replying to it in the space above (when done replying, you can select and delete what your colleague said and then post your reply).
• The main purpose of utilizing these Discussion Folders for class is so we all have access to what each each others' thoughts and ideas on the topic. However, occasionally you may want to reply privately to the person who wrote any given message. To do so, hit "reply privately," in which case your reply will be sent as an email message (private mail within WEBCT) only to the person who posted the message: No one else will be able to read it.
• Please don't forget to put the full URL into your reply if you are sending readers to an Internet site, and don't forget to preview your message before posting
• In replying to others, be courteous and constructive. Do not "attack" the colleague to whom you are replying: We are entitled to our own viewpoints. You can "take the other stance" by critically analyzing the issue, not the colleague who posted the issue.