How to Use the Chat Tool

Chat provides you with a synchronous form of communication (synchronous meaning 'at the same time'). In order to use chat you will have to arrange to meet with fellow coursemates in a specific chat room at a pre-arranged date and time.


TO ENTER THE CHAT SYSTEM

To enter chat, click the chat button, or link, on the homepage. (You may see a message that reads, "Loading Chat Applet. Please wait....") The chat tool will load and you will see a screen similar to the image below:

Chat Tool


TO ENTER A CHAT ROOM

There are six rooms to chat in, each one accessible by clicking a linked chat room title. When you click a chat room link, a chat room screen opens in a new window.

Chat Tool

The chat room window is divided into three main areas (output interaction box, users logged on, and the message area). To show that you have entered a room, your name becomes visible in the area entitled users logged on. The names of everyone else in the chat room at that time will also be listed. Any chatting that occurs will be displayed in the output interaction box, the largest area of the window. Each message that appears will have a name attached to it so that all participants will know who added it to the output interaction box.


TO WRITE A MESSAGE

When you are ready to add your own message to the chat room thread, type your message in the box provided at the bottom of the screen and hit the enter key on your keyboard. Your message will appear in the output interaction box, identified with your name.


TO LEAVE A CHAT ROOM

To leave a chat room, click the quit button. The window will close and others in the chat room will see your name disappear from the users logged on area. While you have virtually exited the room, you have not exited the chat tool. At this point, you can enter another chat room or re-enter the chat room you've just left.


TO LEAVE THE CHAT SYSTEM

Leaving the chat system is as easy as clicking a link to another location. For example, to return to the homepage, click "Homepage" in the breadcrumbs.

If you need further help with the chat tool, look to the top of the chat screen and click the HELP link that appears there.

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