User Guide t SEP Lessns Table f Cntents Website Overview. p. 2 Active Learning lessn plan database p. 2 Hw t search fr a lessn Finding a lessn by grade level Finding a lessn by subject Finding a lessn by SEP prgram Finding a lessn by keywrds Finding a lessn using the Advanced search functin..p.3 Lessn Plan Design Tl... p. 3 Hw t create a lessn Hw t frmat the text f the lessn Hw t add an attachment t the lessn p. 4 Hw t add weblinks and citatins frm within a lessn Hw t print a lessn Hw t view and edit lessns Hw t share lessns with the public Team planning supprt.. p. 5 Hw t add events t yur calendar Hw t pst cmments t yur grup blg Hw t find new pstings frm yur grup members Hw t add citatins r web-links Hw t brwse the citatin and weblinks library.. p. 6 Manage yur accunt..p. 6 Hw t change yur passwrd Hw t request a new passwrd Hw t change yur email address Hw t uplad a picture.. p. 7 Hw t add yur persnal signature t cmments Hw t change yur email ntificatin ptins Cntact us... p.7 Hw t request technical supprt Hw t reprt a bug Hw t send general inquiries 1
Website Overview This website has been created t supprt SEP s scientist-teacher partnership teams by prviding tls fr cmmunicatin, planning and lessn plan design. The Lessn Plan Design Tl will guide vlunteers and teachers thrugh the lessn design prcess, using an easy t fill ut lessn plan template. Lessn plans are saved int the team accunt and can be accessed and edited by all team members. (Besides being a great tl during the lessn planning prcess, each year teams will cntribute lessn plan ideas fr future generatins f partnership participants by submitting their lessn plan t SEP t be reviewed fr public psting n ur Active Learning Lessn Plan database.) Planning and active cmmunicatin are essential fr a successful partnership. This site ffers Team Planning Supprt by allwing teams t pst planning meetings and lessn dates n a cmmn calendar, exchange ideas, discuss questins and pst reminders via a grup blg. Yu can chse t receive email alert fr new entries n the team accunt. The Lessn Plan Database is a depsitry f selected, SEP reviewed, quality hands-n lessns created by ur classrm partnership teams. Lessns range frm grades K-12 and address a great variety f Science and Health tpics. Since ur partnership teams just started t cntribute lessn plans t the database, the number f public lessns is currently still small. We are lking frward seeing the database grw and burst with wnderful lessns and fr it t becme a valuable resurce fr future partnership teams. Lessn Plan Database Hw t search fr a lessn The database can be searched by grade level, subject area, lessns assciated with specific SEP prgrams, keywrds r a cmbinatin f these search criteria using the advanced search functin. Finding a lessn by grade level Click n Grade level n the left side f yur screen a drp dwn menu f grade levels K-12 will appear. Click n the grade level that yu wuld like t find a lessn fr. All lessns apprpriate fr that grade level will be listed. Under each lessn title, the lessn summary will be displayed. Click n the lessn title r n View this entire lessn plan t see the rest f the lessn. If yu wuld like t print the lessn, click the printer-friendly versin buttn at the bttm f the lessn first fr a better display f the lessn. Finding a lessn by subject Click n Subject n the left side f yur screen a drp dwn menu f Subjects (Bilgy, Chemistry, Physical Science, Earth Science, Science Skills) will appear. Click n the subject yu are searching fr. All lessns within the chsen subject will be listed. Under each lessn title the lessn summary will be displayed. Click n the lessn title r n View this entire lessn plan t see the rest f the lessn. If yu wuld like t print the lessn, click the printer-friendly versin buttn at the bttm f the lessn first fr a better display f the lessn. Finding a lessn by SEP prgram Click n SEP Prgrams n the left side f yur screen a drp dwn menu f SEP prgrams will appear. When the muse pinter is held ver the prgram name in the list, a detailed descriptin f the prgram will pp up. Click n the prgram yu are searching fr. All lessns affiliated with the specific prgram will be listed. Under each lessn title the lessn summary will be displayed. 2
Click n the lessn title r n View this entire lessn plan t see the rest f the lessn. If yu wuld like t print the lessn, click the printer-friendly versin buttn at the bttm f the lessn first fr a better display f the lessn. Finding a lessn by keywrds T find lessns by keywrds fr tpics r cncepts (such as magnetism, genetics, evlutin, etc.) type in the search term in the textbx under Keywrd search and click the search buttn. All lessn that cntain yur Keywrd term will be listed. Under each lessn title, the lessn summary will be displayed. Click n the lessn title r n View this entire lessn plan t see the rest f the lessn. If yu wuld like t print the lessn, click the printer-friendly versin buttn at the bttm f the lessn first fr a better display f the lessn. Finding a lessn using the advanced search functin Click n Advanced search n the left side f yur screen. T lk fr lessns that address certain tpics r cncepts, type in keywrds r phrases t search fr. T narrw dwn yur search yu may type in terms that yu want t exclude in yur search.( cntaining nne f the wrds ). Click n the desired grade level r subject area f the lessn. T select bth, grade level and subject area, hld dwn the cntrl buttn f yur keybard (r the buttn when using a Macintsh cmputer) and then make yur selectin. Check whether yu are lking fr a lessn plan, citatin r weblink. Click the advanced search buttn. All lessns that match yur cmbined search categries will be listed. Under each lessn title, the lessn summary will be displayed. Click n the lessn title r n View this entire lessn plan t see the rest f the lessn. If yu wuld like t print the lessn, click the printer-friendly versin buttn at the bttm f the lessn first fr a better display f the lessn. Lessn Plan Design Tl Hw t create a lessn Lg in with yur user name and passwrd ( User lgin n the tp right f the site) t use this tl. Click n My grups n the right side f the screen. Click n the name f yur grup just belw My grups. Click n Add lessn plan. Fill in the lessn title in the apprpriate field. (Yu must fill in a title t be able t submit r save yur wrk. Yu can easily change this title later.) Click n Categries t expand this sectin a drp dwn menu f Subjects (Bilgy, Chemistry, Physical Science, Earth Science, Science Skills), Grade Levels (K-12), and SEP prgrams will appear. Select the apprpriate categries fr each. T select mre than ne subject (Bilgy and Science Skills), mre than ne grade level (3-5) r mre than ne SEP prgram, hld dwn the cntrl buttn ( buttn n a Mac) n yur keybard. Click n Lessn Overview t expand this sectin f the lessn plan. Fill in each f the fields accrding t the descriptin nted abve the field. As yu finish filling ut each lessn sectin, cntinue by clicking successively n the remaining lessn headings (Lgistics, Lessn Implementatin/Outline, Extensins and Reflectins, Standards, File Attachments, and References). Clicking the headings will expand that sectin f the lessn plan (the arrw will pint dwn), s that yu can view and fill in the fields. (If yu wuld like t cllapse a sectin, simply click n the heading again [the arrw will pint t the right]. In each f the lessn sectins, fill in the infrmatin as specified. While yu d nt need t fill ut all f the fields in each sectin (particularly if they are nt relevant), a mre descriptive and well articulated lessn plan will ften lead t successful implementatin f that lessn fr yur team and anyne wh reads it (well articulated lessns is a selectin criteria fr public lessns). When yu cmplete as much as yu d like t fr a given sitting, click Submit at the bttm f the page. (Depending n yur grup mates email ntificatin ptin, they may receive an email when yu d this). Yu r yur grup mates will nw t be able t view, add t r edit the lessn (see instructins belw). 3
** Imprtant Nte: While creating r editing yur lessn plan, if yu click the back buttn in yur brwser, yu will be navigated away frm the lessn planning tl and will lse any wrk that has nt been submitted (r saved). Be sure t click submit befre clicking n the back buttn (leaving the page) r leaving the website. If yu accidentally click the back buttn a Warning message will pp up which will give yu an pprtunity t Cancel (stay n the current page) and then Submit yur wrk at the bttm f the page. Hw t frmat the text f the Lessn: Optinal: Fr many f the fields yu may use the frmatting palette at the bttm t frmat the text (ex: t change fnt and alignment, r add bullets, images, tables etc.) Yu can expand the text bx, make it smaller, r reshape it by pulling n the lwer right-hand crner f the bx (an arrw will appear). Changing the text bx will affect yur view, but nt the frmat f the printed dcument. Hw t add an attachment t the Lessn: Optinal: Yu can attach a dcument (i.e. a pdf r wrd dcument f a student wrksheet) by clicking n file attachments. Click the Brwse buttn, select the file n yur cmputer yu wish t attach, then click n the Open buttn The file will be listed alng with the file size. Yu may chse whether r nt t list the file r delete the file by using the check bxes. Hw t add weblinks and citatins frm within a Lessn: Optinal: Yu can add weblinks and bibligraphic citatins t yur lessn plan that previusly were added t the citatin r weblink library (see next sectin fr instructins). Click References. Start typing the title f yur weblink r citatin. The fields will aut cmplete the title as yu start typing. Use yur muse r keybard dwn arrw t select the title yu are lking fr. Press the tab key t mve the cursr t the next field. If yu wuld like t add mre than three weblinks r citatins, submit yur lessn plan and additinal fields will be created when yu re-pen the lessn. Hw t print the Lessn: If yu wuld like t print the lessn, submit the lessn plan at the bttm f the page (r yu will lse yur wrk), click n the view tab near the tp f the page and the printer friendly versin buttn at the bttm f the page fr a better display f the lessn. Then select Print under File in yur brwser. Hw t view, add n t, r edit a lessn yur grup has created: Lg in with yur user name and passwrd ( User lgin n the left side f the site) t use this tl. Click n My grups n the right side f the screen. Click n the name f yur grup just belw My grups. Submitted lessn plans will be listed under the heading lessn plan in the center f the page as well as in yur inbx in the upper right sectin f the page. Select any lessn plan listed t view it. T add t r edit the lessn plan, click n the edit tab at the tp f the page and prceed as described abve. Hw t submit yur lessn t the SEP staff t be reviewed fr public psting Click the bx next t the prmpt Yes please send this lessn plan t SEP t be reviewed fr public psting lcated between the lessn plan headings Standards and File Attachments The lessn plan will g int a queue t be reviewed by a SEP staff member. If the lessn plan fulfills the criteria - is well thught ut, clear, sufficiently detailed, age-apprpriate, supprts student learning and des nt vilate any cpyright laws (see terms and cnditins) the staff member will pst it t the Active Learning Lessn Plan Database s it can be viewed by the SEP cmmunity and the general public. The public cpy f yur lessn plan cannt be edited anymre, while the riginal versin stays with the team and can be used (and edited) in future years. 4
Team Planning Supprt Hw t add an event t the calendar Team members can use this functin t put events such as planning meetings, lessn presentatins, material pick-ups etc. n a shared calendar n the site. Cmments and attachments can be added t each event. Team members will receive an email ntificatin when new events are psted (if yu have selected the email ntificatin ptin in yur accunt settings). Lg in with yur user name and passwrd ( User lgin n the left side f the site) t use this tl. Click n My grups n the right side f the screen. Click n the name f yur grup just belw My grups. Click n Add event. Type in the title f yur event (fr example: Genetics lessn ). Click the little calendar icn belw the Frm and T textbx and select the day f yur event by clicking n the apprpriate date (fr mst events the same day has t be selected). Set the start and end time f yur event by clicking n the hur and minute display n the bttm f the calendar. Each time yu click, ne hur (r minute) is added. Type in an event descriptin t give mre specific infrmatin abut the event if needed. Yu can attach a dcument using the file attachment buttn. Submit yur event t the calendar by clicking n the buttn n the bttm f the page. The psted event will nw be displayed n My grup calendar. Hw t pst a cmment n the grup blg The grup blg is a great tl t facilitate easy cmmunicatin within yur grup. Team members can pst cmments t plan ut a lessn, share ideas, ask questins etc. using this functin f the website. Team members receive an email ntificatin when new psts are added t the blg (if yu have selected the email ntificatin ptin in yur accunt setting). Lg in with yur user name and passwrd ( User lgin n the left side f the site) t use this tl. Click n My grups n the right side f the screen. Click n the name f yur grup just belw My grups. Click n Add grup blg entry. Type in the title f yur blg entry (fr example: Next planning meeting ). Write yur message int the blg entry textbx. Yu can attach a dcument using the file attachment buttn. Pst yur blg entry by clicking n the Submit buttn n the bttm f the page. Hw t find new pstings frm my grup members Lg in with yur user name and passwrd ( User lgin n the left side f the site) t use this tl. Click n My Inbx n the right side f the screen under yur username. Select the tab my unread t read new psts. Recent psts that yu have already read can be viewed by selecting the tab my recent. Click n the title f the psts t see the psting in its entirety. Hw t add citatins t the library Lg in with yur user name and passwrd ( User lgin n the left side f the site) t use this tl. Click n My grups n the right side f the screen. Click n the name f yur grup just belw My grups. Click n Add citatin. Type in the title f yur citatin (fr example: "The Having f Wnderful Ideas ). Optinal: Chse the Grade Level and Subject area frm the pull dwn menus Optinal: Type in the Vlume/Issue, Authr (s), Page (s), Jurnal/Publisher, and Publicatin Date Optinal: Give a brief Abstract / Descriptin in the text bx. The text bx can be expanded by pulling n the lwer right-hand crner f the bx (an arrw will appear). The frmat tlbar underneath the textbx can be used t frmat the text. Optinal: Type in a Weblink URL, and a Weblink Title. 5
Chse t Preview yur citatin psting r Submit yur citatin by clicking n the apprpriate buttn n the bttm f the page. The psted citatin will nw be under Resurces Lking at ur citatin library Hw t add weblinks t the library Lg in with yur user name and passwrd ( User lgin n the left side f the site) t use this tl. Click n My grups n the right side f the screen. Click n the name f yur grup just belw My grups. Click n Add weblink. Type a link descriptin (fr example: Wrld Cat -Search fr an item in libraries near yu ). Optinal: Chse the Grade Level and Subject area frm the pull dwn menus Type in the URL f the link. Optinal: Type in the Link Title. Optinal: Yu can attach a dcument by clicking n file attachments. Click n the Chse File buttn, select the file yu wish t attach, then click n the Attach buttn. The file will be listed alng with the file size. Yu may chse whether r nt t list the file r delete the file by using the check bxes. Chse t Preview yur weblink psting r Submit yur weblink by clicking n the apprpriate buttn n the bttm f the page. The psted citatin will nw be under Resurces: Lking at ur links library Hw t brwse the citatins library All citatins that have been psted t the site can be fund in the citatin library. Click n Resurces in the tp right crner f the website. Select Lking at ur citatin library frm the list by clicking n it. Brwse the list f psted citatins. Click n the title f the citatin t view the entire citatin infrmatin. Hw t brwse the weblinks library All weblinks that have been psted t the site can be fund in the weblinks library. Click n Resurces in the tp right crner f the website. Select Lking at ur weblinks library frm the list by clicking n it. Brwse the list f psted weblinks. Click n the title f the weblinks t view the entire infrmatin. Accunt management Hw t manage yur accunt Hw t change yur passwrd Yu have t be lgged in t be able t change yur passwrd. Click n My accunt under yur username n the right side f the screen. Click n the edit tab. Enter yur new passwrd int the tw textbxes underneath passwrd. Scrll dwn t the bttm f the page and click submit. Hw t request a new passwrd If yu cannt remember yur passwrd fr the lg in, yu can request a new passwrd t be sent t yu. Click n the lg in buttn n the left side f the screen. Click n request a new passwrd. Enter yur user name r e-mail address A new temprary passwrd will be sent t yur email address. Use the temprary passwrd t lg in, then chse a new passwrd in My accunt Hw t change yur email address Yu have t be lgged in t be able t change yur email address. Click n My accunt under yur username n the right side f the screen. Click n the edit tab. 6
Delete yur ld email address and type in the new ne. Scrll t the bttm f the page and click the submit buttn. Hw t uplad yur picture Yu can uplad a picture t yur accunt that will be visible t yur grup members. Lg in with yur user name and passwrd. Select my accunt n the right side f the screen right under yur username. Click n the edit tab. Click n the brwse buttn next t the textbk belw uplad picture. Lcate the picture in yur files and click pen. Scrll t the bttm f the page and click the submit buttn. Nte: Yur pictures can be a maximum f 100x100 pixels and a maximum f 300 kb. Hw t attach a signature t yur cmments Yu can have a standard signature attached t all yur cmments. Lg in with yur user name and passwrd. Select my accunt n the right side f the screen right under yur username. Click n the edit tab. Scrll dwn t cmment settings. Type in yur desired signature int the textbx underneath the signature heading Signatures culd include qutes r sayings, yur cntact infrmatin, Schl name, name f yur research lab etc.) Scrll t the bttm f the page and click the submit buttn. Hw t change yur email ntificatin ptin Yu can chse whether yu want t receive an email ntificatin every time a member f yur team submits a new psting (lessn plan, cmment, event, citatin, etc.) r makes changes t already existing cntent. Lg in with yur user name and passwrd. Select my accunt n the right side f the screen right under yur username. Click n the edit tab. Scrll dwn t e-mail ntificatins in the rganic grup settings sectin. Yu may chse t never receive email ntificatins frm yur grup members r always receive email ntificatin. If yu want t receive email ntificatins frm ne grup but nt anther (fr example: Yu want t receive email ntificatin frm this year s grup but nt frm last year s), select the third chice Selectively send email ntificatin based n the checkbx fr each f my grup's email ptins. Then enable r disable the email ntificatin ptin fr each f yur grups. Scrll t the bttm f the page and click the submit buttn. Cntact us Hw t ask fr technical supprt If yu are experiencing technical difficulties while using the site r have a questins abut the functins f the website yu can send SEP a supprt request. Click n Abut in the tp right crner f the website. Then select Cntact us in the tp right crner f the website. OR Click n cntact us at the very bttm f the website. Type in a title fr yur supprt request (fr example: truble with lessn plan design tl r please help! ) Click n the little triangle next t the categry textbx. Select request supprt frm the drp dwn menu. Describe yur prblem and supprt needs in detail using the message textbx. Yu can pt t have a cpy f the supprt request sent t yur email address by checking the bx send me a cpy. Click n send email t submit yur supprt request. 7
Hw t reprt a bug r prblem with the website Remember that we are still beta-testing the website. There is a gd chance that yu will cme acrss a bug; smething that is just nt wrking prperly. Please let us knw abut it s that we can fix it and create a better and imprved website fr everyne. Click n Abut in the tp right crner f the website. Then select Cntact us. OR Click n cntact us at the very bttm f the website. Type in the title f yur message (fr example: bug in search functin r site is ding smething weird. Click n the little triangle next t the categry textbx. Select reprt a prblem frm the drp dwn menu. Describe the prblem in detail using the message textbx. Yu can pt t have a cpy f yur message sent t yur email address by checking the bx send me a cpy. Click n send email t submit yur message. Hw t send a message t the website administratr Dn t hesitate t cntact the website administratr fr any reasn. Any feedback is appreciated (imprvement ideas, things yu like/dn t like, etc.) Click n Abut in the tp right crner f the website. Then select Cntact us. OR Click n cntact us at the very bttm f the website. Type in the title f yur message (fr example: feedback ) Click n the little triangle next t the categry textbx. Select General inquiries frm the drp dwn menu. Write yur cmment int the message textbx. Yu can pt t have a cpy f yur message sent t yur email address by checking the bx send me a cpy. Click n send email t submit yur message. 8