Discussion Area Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Q1: What is a "twistie" and how does it work? A: A twistie is a blue triangle that "twists" to open the threads below it.
Twist it again to close it. It works essentially as a hyperlink to a new, expanded view. Technically,
it "sorts" the discussion database for your greatest convenience. Once there is a lot of discussion,
you will likely find the "InquiryWorks! Topic"
view, "Collapsed" (or "Show Less"), to be the most useful. You can then use the twistie beside the topic you are
currently working in to open a list of the current main (InquiryWorks! assignment) threads.
If you open the main thread you want,
and scroll to the bottom, you'll see the full discussion under that thread. Toggle between that
"Table of Contents" and each comment to catch up on what's being discussed. Reply to any
comments you choose, or to the main thread, to fulfill the posting assignments for the activity.
Q2: What is a thread?A: Threads are the individual postings. There are main threads (authored by InquiryWorks!) and response threads. You can respond to a thread by clicking "respond." Your note then gets placed below the main thread. You are able to edit or even delete threads you authored (but no others).You can also respond to a response. If you give your responses unique thread titles (overwrite the "Message Subject" field) that describe the content of your posting, it makes it easier for others to select which reply threads apply to their questions or interests.
Q3: Why are there different "views"?A: There are different ways to sort the data. Sometimes, it's helpful to view by InquiryWorks! Topic -- to see the main assignment threads, posted by InquiryWorks!. Other times, you may want to view by date, for instance, if you've been keeping up daily and just want to check the activity over the last day or two. The author view allows you to see who has posted and what they've said.
Q4: These URL's (website addresses) are very long. Why?A: They are created dynamically and involve a unique identifier for each thread in the database.
Q5: Where do I go after I respond to a thread?A: Be sure to wait for the confirmation ("Thank you for posting") page to appear. Then, you can go back to any of the main three views -- InquiryWorks! Topic, Author, or Date. Use these terms on the confirmation page for navigation.
Q6: There's a lot of discussion! Do I have to read it all?A: You should read all InquiryWorks! reading, hands-on, and posting assignments (these aren't in the discussion area, they are accessed from the InquiryWorks! Schedule page). The posting assignments can be easily checked from the InquiryWorks! main threads in the discussion. Use the statement, "To see the assignment, click here." by clicking on the word "here." The posting assignments focus the discussion about each InquiryWorks! activity on particular questions.
Q7: Who else reads these postings?A: InquiryWorks! staff, your moderator and other members of your cohort.
Q8: Who can create a main thread?A: InquiryWorks! staff or your moderator.
Q9: What is PHP?A: InquiryWorks! staff uses PHP software to design and manage InquiryWorks! discussion databases. PHP software "serves" these databases onto the internet, permitting you to view them on your browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer).
Q10: What's the advantage of PHP?A: There are several reasons why we chose PHP software for InquiryWorks. Primarily, PHP permits any user to upload files of any sort into a threaded discussion area to share with colleagues.
Q11: What is the water cooler? A: Each team of teachers will be grouped into a cohort of approximately 25
teachers with a moderator and have a private discussion area. Also in your
discussion area, you'll see a water cooler icon. This allows you access to
the InquiryWorks! "water cooler" -- a place for discussions of your choosing. One watercooler is open to all
Inquirers. You can discuss anything you like -- travel tips, teaching tricks, technology issues, or
anything else.
In this area, each participant can author main threads. Think of it as an "open mike" area--it's not moderated, though
moderators and InquiryWorks! staff also visit.
Q12: AOL doesn't seem to support this discussion area. What do I need to do?A: You need to use AOL to get Netscape or Internet Explorer. They're both free from their respective web sites. Once you find Netscape or IE, download the browser to your desktop. Then, in the future, when you want to work in the InquiryWorks! discussion areas, get on to AOL, which then acts as your Internet Service Provide (ISP). Hide AOL and launch your new browser.
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