Getting answers to your questions ASAP

While we all know that when learning online there is a delay between when we post a question or an assignment, the delay when waiting for a response to a question can be maddening especially when it means we cannot complete work that we need to get done. We'd like to get our answers right away - the sooner the better - but we don't want to have to log into the classroom every few minutes to see if the answer is waiting.

Instead you can have the answers delivered to you!

When you post a message to any forum, at the bottom of the form, just above the Post to Forum and attachments options is the Subscription option. You can choose to have copies of posts to this forum sent to you by email. You will generally receive the email 15 - 30 minutes after the message is posted.

The delay gives the author time to edit the post. The system will send the email after the editing time has passed.

If after you have your answer you no longer want to receive copies of the messages posted to that forum, return to the classroom and click on the Forums link in the Activities block. On the next screen you will see a list of all the Discussion in the class. The last column lets you know if you are subscribed or not. To unsubscribe, click on the Yes for any forums you are subscribed to.

You will not be able to unsubscribe to the News forum.

By default your account settings are set up so that anytime you post to a forum you are automatically subscribed unless you change the subscription option. You can change the default setting by editing your profile.

To edit your profile:

• Click on your name at the top right of the classroom screen.
• Click on the Edit Profile tab.
• Scroll down to the Forum auto-subscribe option
• Set it to No, don't automatically subscribe me to forums.
• Click on Update Profile

You may also want to check the Email digest type option and make sure it is set to No digest so you will receive copies of messages as they are posted.

You can also unsubscribe by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the emails you receive from the classroom.

Because of problems with sending and receiving email we encourage our students to post their questions in the classroom if possible. This guarantees that the teacher (or a classmate that knows the answer) will see it the next time he or she logs in. Each classroom and each lesson has a forum for questions and comments. Frequently our instructors subscribe to these discussions so they can be alerted when students post questions or concerns.

It may not get you a response as fast as sending an email to the instructor, but if someone else knows the answer or has the same question, it can make it easier on everyone!

posted by Classroom Manager @ 8:55 AM