Getting Started with EMU's WebCaucus
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Signing in for the first time
To use EMU's WebCaucus, you will need a web browser (such as Netscape Navigator/Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer) and a user ID. The ID must be your My.Emich account.
In the Location box in your web browser, type in the Caucus URL:
This address takes you to the sign in page for EMU's Web Caucus.
If this is your first time using WebCaucus, click on New User (see illustration). You only need to register the first time you log into Caucus.
Next time, you will already be registered, so choose Registered User.
Enter your user ID and password
A screen will pop up asking you to fill in the boxes with your username. (Hint: the username is your log in ID (the part of your email address before the @) for the Alpha/VMS or Banyan systems). In the next two boxes, create a password for yourself and enter it twice. You can choose your own password. Don't know what a username is? The directions on the screen will link you to an explanation about what it is and how to get one.
You will see a new box asking you to confirm your password.
In the future when you enter Caucus, these are the screens you will see each time you sign in. Be sure you remember your password!
Add your name to the list
The next screen asks you to enter information about yourself. In the box where it asks for your name, put your real first and last name (not your username). Your name is required. This will be used to identify you each time you put a response in Caucus.
If you put your email address in the box requesting it, others can click and send you a personal comment. A short description of yourself is a good way to introduce yourself electronically.
Joining a conference
At the Caucus Central Page, you will see your name and a list of some options. Type in the name of the conference you want to join in the blank box and press JOIN. If you don't know the name of the conference or want to see what else is open, choose the A list of all conferences option.
Once you have located your Conference, click on it. When your conference comes up, you can choose to join by clicking on the Yes! button to make yourself a member and add the conference to your personal list. When you do this, each time you sign into Caucus, you will not only see the list of your conferences but it will also show you which have added discussions since you last looked at them.
Participating in a discussion
Now that you have joined your conference, you are at the Conference Home Page. It lists your conference's organizer, along with the discussion items and options for viewing them. You can read new responses, create your own item, or send a message to the organizer by clicking on the link to his/her name.
The easiest way to get started is to click on the first New item (these appear in yellow). Each time you enter the conference you will have a list of anything that you have not read before. (Hint: if you want to see an item that is not listed because you've already read it, click the all the items link.)
Checking new items
Items,
like the one on the left, are individual discussion topics that an
instructor or conference member starts. Participants can add their
questions, comments, or thoughts by responding to any topic. Items and
responses are ordered by when they are submitted by the participant. In
each, the author is identified and the response is time stamped. This
allows for conversation even when all participants can't be present at
the same time or place.
Each time you sign in to the conference, new items and responses will be highlighted.
When you finish reading an item and responses, you can click on Pass to go to the next new item.
Adding a response
When
you want to add your thoughts to an existing topic, you have an edit
box at the end of all the responses where you can type in your ideas.
Just put your cursor in the box and begin to type the same way you
would in your word processor. You can also copy and paste text into the
box that you created in a program on your computer.
When you are done typing, the best choice is the Post & View button, which will update the screen so you can see what your response looks like. Your response will appear just above a new, cleared text box with your name and the date automatically added. If you want to make a change, you will have an Edit button which will reopen the text box for editing.
(Hint: if you want to start a new item, go to the conference's home page and find the create a new item text. You will see a similar text box to start a discussion.)
When you are satisfied with what you wrote, select the Pass button and you will be taken to the next new item or back to the Conference Home Page.
Quitting WebCaucus
To leave WebCaucus, use the red Quit button at the top of the page. By quitting, you prevent others from using your login to access the conferences.
Learning more
Additional documentation for EMU's WebCaucus is available from inside Caucus by choosing the Help button at the top or bottom of the page. There is a tutorial and tips on more advanced features. The Practice conference is a good place to see examples of how to use Caucus.
If you have a question, you can send email to the Learning Technology consultants at helpme@online.emich.edu or call them at (734) 487-0020 x 2037.
Modified 9/6/00 by BF.
Modified 8/17/04 by Charles Roth.