Classroom Schedule

The classroom opens 10 minutes before the start of class. General classrooms are open for users in Introduction and Intermediate classes from 11 am - 1 pm, 5 - 7 pm, and 9 - 11 pm Eastern time during the week and 11 am - 1 pm, 1 - 3 pm, and 5 - 7 pm Eastern during the weekend.

Documentation Index

• Classroom Layout
• Task Bar
• Desktop
• Chat Window
  
  • Users List
  • Chat Input
  • Using LaTeX
  • Private Chat and Whispers

Introduction

The classroom is a moderated chat room. The class is completely text and image based. You will not need audio or video to use the classroom. During class, all messages you send will be sent to the classroom instructor. The instructor will choose good questions and responses to be sent to the classroom for all to read.

Classroom Layout

When accessing the classroom, a new window will appear. This window is referred to as the Classroom Desktop Window. Within the Classroom Desktop window will appear the chatroom window and possibly other windows. These internal windows have a black and grey color scheme and are contained within the Classroom Desktop Window. Both the Classroom Desktop Window and the internal windows can be moved, resized, minimized, and maximized like other windows.

In the image below, two internal windows are shown within the Classroom Desktop Window, one labeled IntroChat and another labeled Classroom Teacher. Both these windows are contained within a browser window which can be moved, minimized, maximized, and resized like any other browser window.

Task Bar

The internal windows are listed and managed in the task bar at the bottom. To open or minimize a window, click on the approriate task bar button.

Desktop Context Menu

Menu Item Description Tile Windows Shows every window on the desktop, allocating equal sizes to each window. Cascade Windows Stacks up all windows from the top left corner of the screen. Show Desktop Minimizes all windows, showing only the desktop and task bar. Status Shows a sub-menu of online statuses in which you may switch to, such as away or busy. Logout Leave the classroom and close the Classroom Desktop Window

Chat Window

Each classroom session occurs within a chat window. It contains the chat area, a text input panel at the bottom where the student enters text to send to the teacher, and a userlist panel at the right which shows all the people in the classroom.

You can resize and hide the text input and userlist panels. To hide the panels, click on the arrows next to each panel. To resize the panel, click and drag on the light grey colored bar surrounding the arrows.

You can click on any LaTeX math formula (shown in a slightly different font than regular classroom chat, such as the area for a circle shown in the image above) or picture within the chat window to bring it up in its own window.

Chat Input Panel

The chat input panel is where you enter messages to be sent to the classroom. The black bar above the input area provides options for formatting, creating emoticons, viewing the chat history, etc. During class, the classroom is moderated. All messages will be sent to the moderator. The moderator will choose which messages will appear in the classroom.

Button	Description
	Font Size Sets the output font size of all text in the chat window.
	Emoticon Pops up a list of emoticons/smilies to insert into the text input. The emoticon's code will be shown in the text input, but the actual image/clip will be displayed on the chat area.
	Clear Chat Area Clears the chat area. This is especially useful if the chat area scroll appears to be slowing down.

Using LaTeX

Basic LaTeX can be used in the classroom by preceding your input with a semi-colon followed by a space. This differs from the forum in that you should not use dollar signs around the LaTeX code. For more information on LaTeX, please see our LaTeX guide.

Private Messages and Whispers

A classroom moderator may occasionally initiate private chat with you. There are two types of private communications, whispers and private conversation.

Whispers are short messages moderators send to you. You will be the only one able to see these messages. To reply to a whisper, type in the input box as usual. Your reply will go to the moderators.

A private conversation will open up a new window in which two-way conversation with the moderator can take place. Messages you send will only go to the moderator who you are in conversation with. The name of the moderator appears in the title bar of the window.

Note: Only moderators can start private chat.

Users in Chat/Room

All users in the room are listed in a panel on the right of each chat window. Each user may possess certain attributes, illustrated by icons on the right. Gagged Unable to talk in the room Moderator Moderator for the room. Monitor Monitor with privileges such as gag/ungag, kick, open/close room, etc.