• (1) pose questions or problems related to the readings-things you weren't able to answer for yourself or that you would like other opinions about;
• (2) suggest tentative or trial interpretations of our readings/viewings for others to consider;
• (3) respond to the postings of your classmates;
• (4) follow up on our class discussions with insights that you weren't able to fit in during the period or that occurred to you after the session.

If you hope to receive a grade of A or A- you must post a minimum of 10 (ten) detailed contributions (at least 100-150 words) over 10 different weeks of the semester. (This last provision is meant to discourage an avalanche of postings at the end of the term when no one will have time to read them.) Please note that, for our purposes, a new WebX "week" begins each Monday. All substantive contributions to the forum will improve your participation grade for the course. (These postings do not guarantee a high grade by themselves; your work in other facets of the course must be excellent, too. Good postings will raise your participation grade no matter what your scores are in other areas.)

Using WebX:

Please read and follow these directions carefully.

1. Go to the Web Crossing Forum home page.

Log in using your internet (email) id as your name [e.g., mine is "csigler"] and the password "webx." NOTE:Be sure to click on "LOGIN" not "REGISTER"!

2. Select "A Guided Tour of Web Crossing" for instructions about using the program. This takes from 5-10 minutes, depending on how much you play with options and practice items along the way.

3. Using the "Preference" button at the bottom of the screen, change your password to something uniquely yours. For the sake of simplicity, I urge you to use your email password. Whatever PW you select, be sure to write it down and put it somewhere safe so you don't forget it. If you should happen to lose it, please see me during office hours asap. (Don't bother hitting the "Lost Password" button at the log-in screen; it doesn't work.)

4. IMPORTANT: Please type your FIRST AND LAST NAME on the SECOND LINE of the "Personal Information" section of the Preferences page, which is appropriately titled "Second line of information," and leave your internet id on the first line (even though it says your name should go on the first line). You must do this before you post your first message, or I won't be able to identify you, which means I will not be able to give you credit for your postings!

5. Log on again using the URL (Web address) for the English 3333 Forum.

6. If you have your own computer, bookmark this URL. Otherwise, save the email you received and click on the address when you want to read or post messages to the Forum. You can also access the Forum by returning to this section of the course web site.

7. At the opening folder, click the "Subscribe" button at the bottom. (This will allow you to keep track of new messages simply by hitting "Check Messages.")

7. Read the first message ("Welcome/Netiquette"), then click on the folder and discussion that interest you or initiate a new discussion of your own.

To start a new discussion topic, click on the appropriate higher-level folder (e.g., "Week Two Discussions"), then click on "Add Discussion." In the first box, give your discussion a title: one clear enough that people will have a fairly good idea about what it entails (e.g., "fairy tale references in Harry Potter" or "symbolism in Where the Wild Things Are"). Then go to the next box and type in what you have to say; when you're finished, hit "Post My Message.

To add to an existing discussion, move down the page to the box and type in your response; then click "Post My Message," or click on "Reply" to respond directly to a classmate's posting.

First Assignment (due Thursday 9/11):

Click here to go directly to our Forum.

Log in using your internet (email) id as your name [e.g., mine is "csigler"] and your password.

Sometime before 11 September, please post to WebX a brief self-introduction. In about 100-500 words, tell your classmates a little about yourself and your childhood reading. What book(s) are most memorable to you from your childhood? Why do you think this book(s) left a lasting impression on you? What about it do you remember most vividly? You're also welcome to tell us whatever else you want us to know about you. Go to the "Self-Introductions" folder and click on "Add Discussion" at the bottom. In the "new discussion title" box type your name; then go down to the main box and type in the information you wish to share. When you're done, click the "Add Discussion" button on the lower left. If posted by the due date, this exercise will count as your first WebX contribution.

If you want to get started adding entries to WebX discussion, click on the "Week Two Discussions" folder and either click on the "Add Discussion" button to begin a new topic, or click on a topic that interests you. If you'd like to respond to one of the messages, move down the page to the box and type in your response; then click "Post My Message," or click on "Reply" to respond directly to a classmate's posting.

Please contact me with any questions or problems; however, if you need to have something explained or clarified, please see me in person rather than e-mailing me. I'll be happy to sit down with you at my office computer and take you through all the steps of this nifty program.

Some odds and ends:

• To keep track of your postings, hit "Search" and type in your name or email address as it appears in the heading of your messages. This will bring up everything you've posted.
• If you want to include your picture with your messages, go to "Preference" and read the instructions. Scanners are available in campus Web Labs.
• WebX will automatically log you out if you have not entered a keystroke for 60 minutes. (If you wish, you can change this default by going to "Preference.") Be careful, then, not to leave a message too long without editing or posting it; you will lose all your work.
• To return to the WebX Forum from another Web site (e.g., if you click on a hyperlink contained in a posting to the Forum), hit the "Back" button of your browser or hold down the "Alt" key and press the left arrow key (<--).
• As you participate in the WebX Discussion Forum and use the course alias (batch e-mail address), be sure to abide by the rules of "netiquette" (see the "Welcome/Netiquette" message).