Desire2Learn 8.3
Working with Chats
Chats enable students and instructors to interact with each other in real time. There are two types of chats: personal and general. Personal chats allow the creator to restrict participants, whereas general chats are open to all class members. Both students and instructors can create personal chats; however, only instructors can create general chats. For additional options available, refer to Chat Options.
Reviewing the Types of Chats
Personal Chats
Personal chats, which can be created by students or instructors, are used for group conversations or working with peers in real time. The creator of the chat can add only members he/she chooses; members not added to the chat cannot join the chat room. Chat members can be classmates or anyone who is a D2L user.
General Chats
General chats, which can only be created by instructors, can be used for conversations that are relevant to all members of the course.
Creating a Chat
Both instructors and students can create chats enabling real-time (synchronous) interaction between classmates discussing topics relevant to coursework and responding to other comments posted to that chat.
NOTE: In order for the Chat tool to be accessible, there must be a link to it on the Navigation bar. For more information, refer to Customizing the Navigation Bar.
Creating a Personal Chat
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From the My Home page, in the My Eau Claire Courses widget, select the desired course
The Course Home page appears. -
On the Navigation bar, click CHAT
The Chat List pane appears. -
Click NEW CHAT
The New Chat pane appears.
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In the Type section, select Personal Chat
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In the Chat Title text box, type the desired title for your chat
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OPTIONAL: In the Description text box, type a short description for your chat
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Click CREATE
You are returned to the Chat List pane -
To add participants to your chat, click VIEW MEMBERS
The Chat Members pane appears. -
Click ADD MEMBERS
The Add Members dialog box appears.
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Select the users you wish to add
NOTE: A checkmark appears when a user is selected. -
Click ADD
The selected users are added. -
To enter the new chat, click ENTER CHAT
The chat window appears.
Creating a General Chat
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From the My Home page, in the My Eau Claire Courses widget, select the desired course
The Course Home page appears. -
On the Navigation bar, click CHAT
The Chat List pane appears. -
Click NEW CHAT
The New Chat pane appears.
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Select General Chat
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In the Chat Title text box, type the desired title for your chat
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OPTIONAL: In the Description text box, type a short description for your chat
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Click CREATE
You are returned to the Chat List pane.
The Chat Environment
Once you have entered a chat, you will notice three frames: the Participants pane, the Chat pane, and the Add Message text box. This section explains the purpose of these frames and the available buttons in the chat.
Item Description Participants Pane Lists the current participants in the chat Chat Pane Displays recent messages added to the chat Message text box Enables users to add messages to the chat by typing in this text box and clicking SEND Send button Submits user messages to the chat Print Chat button Displays a printer-friendly version of the chat's information and Chat pane Exit Chat button Exits the chat
Participating in a Chat
Participating in a Chat: Entering and Exiting the Chat Room
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From the My Home page, in the My Eau Claire Courses widget, select the desired course
The Course Home page appears. -
On the Navigation bar, click CHAT
The Chat List pane appears. -
Click the name of the chat you wish to enter
The chat window appears. -
At the bottom of the page, in the Message text box, type a message
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Click SEND
OR
Press [Enter]
Your message is added to the chat. -
To leave the chat, click EXIT CHAT
You are returned to the Chat List pane.
Participating in a Chat: Changing Your Chat Identity
This option allows you to change the font style and color of your name in the chat.
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From the Course Home page, on the Navigation bar, click CHAT
The Chat List pane appears. -
Click the name of the chat you wish to enter
The chat window appears. -
Click CHAT SETTINGS
The Chat Settings dialog box appears. -
To set your username in bold, select Bold
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To set your username in italics, select Italics
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To change the color of your username, from the Alias Color pull-down menu, select the desired color
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When you have made the desired changes, click SAVE
Your chat identity is changed.
