Discussion Groups Help

Discussion Groups Help Topics

Do I have to sign in to use the Discussion Groups?

Yes, in order to start a new Topic or add a Post, you must be signed in. Signing in is not necessary to just browse the Discussion Groups. Once signed in, you will be able to edit your profile and preferences and you will get the most out of the Discussion Groups.

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How do I sign in?

To sign in, look to the right of the TCI Discussion Groups header for the Sign in link. This link will take you to a page where you can enter your user name and password. Keep in mind that the password is case sensitive. This means that S (capital) and s (lowercase) are not the same.
Once you have entered your user name and password, you'll be brought to the main Discussion Groups page.

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Help! I'm having trouble signing in

The following checklist may help you successfully sign in:
  1. Make sure you are entering your password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive.
  2. Ensure caps lock is not on.
  3. Completely sign out by hitting the Sign Out link at the top of the page, and then sign in again.
  4. Click the reload/refresh button on your Web browser after entering your signin information.
  5. If you continue to have problems, go to the signin page and click the “Forgot your password?” link.

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What do all these new terms mean?

Our new Discussion Groups offer new terminology to help TeachTCI Members better use and understand the Discussion Groups. Here is an overview of our new terminology:
Categories – For example, “Geography Alive! Regions and People” is a Category and holds Groups such as “Chapter 1: The Tools of Geography” and “Chapter 4: The Great Lakes.” Each curricular program has its own category; there is also a category for general discussion purposes.
Groups – Groups are subsets of Categories and provide specific topic areas for TeachTCI Members to submit content. Groups typically follow the chapter-by-chapter organization of the curricular program.
Topics – Topics are subsets of Groups. Once you have found an appropriate Group to submit your content to, you can start a new Topic that details your question or concern.
Posts – Posts are subsets of Topics. Once you or another TeachTCI Member has started a Topic, Posts can be added to the Topic by you and other TeachTCI Members.

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How do I start a new Topic or add a Post to an existing Topic?

First, ensure you are signed in to the Discussion Groups. Once you are signed in, you can start a new Topic by navigating to an appropriate Group. When you are ready to post your new Topic, click “Submit”.
To add a Post to an existing Topic, navigate to the Topic you would like to add the Post to. Then, click the “Add a Post” link on the right hand side of the Topic/Post table. When you have finished writing your Post, click “Submit”.

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How do I update/edit my profile?

You may update your profile at any time by clicking the "My Home" link found at the top of any page. To update your profile, click on the “Edit My Profile” button.

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How do I add an avatar to my profile?

To add and avatar to your profile, navigate to the “My Home” link found on any page. Click “Edit Profile” and navigate to the Upload your Photo field at the top half of the page.

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Is there a limit to "my photo" image size?

We ask that you keep your images relatively small. As a rule, please do not exceed 125 x 600 pixels and/or 35k for your photo. This will ensure that the Discussion Groups load quickly for all TeachTCI Members.

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Can I attach a file to my Topics or Posts?

No. For security purposes, file attachments are not allowed.

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How do I edit my time zone and email preferences?

You can edit your email preferences by clicking the "My Preferences" link found at the top of any page (right of the TCI Discussion Groups header). On the “My Preferences” tab, you will be able to edit time zone preferences, email preferences, and image display preferences.

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Why is a Topic’s subject so important?

The first submission of a Topic establishes the subject by which all subsequent Posts will be known. Make Topic subjects as descriptive and as specific as possible. Not only is it more likely to elicit a response, but it'll also make it much easier for all Posts in the Topic to be found.

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How do I find Topics that may already have the answer to the question I have?

One of the key features of our new Discussion Groups is the Search. Before starting a Topic, it is always worth checking to see if your concern has already been submitted. You can do this via the “Search” field located to the right of the TCI Discussion Groups header.

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How can I ensure my Posts and Topics have white space in them?

Hit the carriage return twice at the points where you want to insert a blank line.

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Is there a spell check function?

Yes, there is a spell check to use when you are starting Topics, adding Posts, and sending Private Messages. To use the spell check, click the spell check icon from the message toolbar. The spell check function will underline any misspellings it finds in red. Left-click the misspelled word to learn suggestions for correction.

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How do I edit my content?

To edit your content, click the "Edit" link within the Post or Topic you wish to change.

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How do I delete my Post?

First, ensure you are signed in to the Discussion Groups. When you are signed in, you can delete your own Posts by clicking on the Delete link to the right of the Edit link below the Post text. From there, you will be taken to a confirmation screen that asks you to confirm or cancel your deletion. When you have deleted your Post, a placeholder for that Post will still exist showing that you have deleted the Post. Remember, you can only delete your own Posts.

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How do I add a Topic to My Favorite Topics?

To add a Topic to your favorites, click the “Add to Favorites” link at the upper right of the Topic you wish to add.

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How do I send a Private Message?

There are two ways TeachTCI Members can send Private Messages. The first way is from the Discussion Groups / Topics pages:
  1. Click on the user name of the TeachTCI member to whom you would like to send a Private Message.
  2. Click on "Send member a Private Messsage".
  3. Fill in the Subject line and message body.
  4. Click the "Send Message" button.
The second way is from the My Home area, which is limited to your Favorite Members:
  1. Click the "Compose new Private Message" button.
  2. Next to "To", you will find a menu of your Favorite Members. Select the Member to whom you would like to send a Private Message.
  3. Fill in the Subject line and message body.
  4. Click the "Send Message" link.

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What are Active Topics?

Active Topics are Topics that have had Posts submitted to them within the last 168 hours. When you click the Active Topics link, you will see a table of all Topics posted within the last 168 hours in reverse chronological order. The table lists the Topic’s group, when it was created, the last Post in the Topic and who submitted it, and whether or not it has been read. Click on the link in the Topic column of the table to go to your first unread Post of that Topic.

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How do I report spam or Discussion Groups abuse?

First, ensure you are signed in to the Discussion Groups. Click on the “Report this Post to administrators” link found on the bottom left-hand corner of the Post to report Discussion Groups abuse. Discussion Groups abuse includes:
  1. spam
  2. solicitations to buy products
  3. threatening, abusive, or hateful comments
Discussion Groups abuse does NOT include:
  1. comments which simply have a different viewpoint than yours
  2. moderator-approved solicitations for interviews or events

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How do I block Posts and Private Messages from another TeachTCI Member?

There are two ways to block or ignore content from other TeachTCI Members. First, ensure you are signed in to the Discussion Groups.
From the Member's profile page, you can click the link labeled "Ignore this Member" to stop receiving Private Messages from that Member. Posts from the blocked Member will be suppressed, showing "This Post is suppressed because you are ignoring [Member Name]." with an "Unblock [Member Name]." link.
You may also block a TeachTCI Member directly from a Private Message sent by that Member by clicking the "Ignore this Member" link.
Unblocking a TeachTCI Member can be accomplished from suppressed Posts, the Member's profile page, your Ignored Member list, or from within a Private Message sent by that Member.

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