Print

1.  Print out this page and read prior to entering the Virtual Conference Center (VCC) within the Caucus Center!  Print by clicking on the printer icon at the top of the page or clicking on file and selecting the print option and following the directions. If you prefer, you can use the key strokes <ctrl> <P>. (Hold the control key down and press the letter P at the same time to get to the print menu.) Follow the instructions and print by clicking on <ok>.

Welcome

Welcome to "Overview of Deafblindness With An Emphasis In Communication." 

We are glad that you have chosen to join the Project for NM Children and Youth Who Are Deafblind and the New Mexico State Department of Education's effort to disseminate knowledge and information to further assist persons who are identified as deafblind. 

2.  To help you understand the format and design of this course, we ask that you review the "Overview" sections: Before You Begin; Syllabus; and Course Format. These links are located on the left side of the page in the yellow box. As you move your mouse arrow over each line, you will notice that a hand will appear. This is to inform you that it is a direct link to another page. You have the capability to move from one page to another by selecting a different line. You may also use (select) the <Page Back> Arrow at the left top of your browser to return to previously viewed pages. 

Create a Bookmark or Add to Favorites

3.  Next, to easily access the course web site (and as you locate the Caucus Center), you may wish to create a bookmark in Netscape or add to your Favorites in Internet Explorer. In Netscape, you can select the Bookmark Icon on the Menu Bar located at the top of the page. The current web page is automatically added to your list of bookmarks. In Internet Explorer there are three steps. You must first select the Favorite Icon on the Menu Bar. A dialogue box will drop and you need to select "Add to Favorites." In the next box select <ok>. 

Enter Virtual Conference Center

4. It's time to enter the Virtual Conference Center within the Caucus Center.
You may choose to minimize your browser window (Internet Explorer (IE) or Netscape) and open a second browser window. 

(If you are a novice or inexperience internet user you accomplish this  by moving your mouse arrow to the top right corner of the screen and selecting the first little box with the dash/hyphen/minus sign. This does not exit the internet. A button on your menu bar at the bottom of your screen should appear with the name of the web page. To reopen simply move your mouse arrow over the button and select using your left mouse button. While you have minimized the first window access your browser icon (IE or Netscape) by moving your mouse arrow over the icon and pressing the left mouse button. A new browser window should appear. Look for the address bar at the top in the menu. It should have an address that begins with http://www. Highlight and delete.) 

Type the following web address in address space:

 http://caucus.lcdn.org/~caucus/cdd/cdd.html

This will take you directly to the Virtual Conference Center access page that will resemble the information below.  

Another way to access the Virtual Conference Center without opening a second browser window can be accomplished by moving your mouse arrow to the top right side of this screen onto the blue message: "Discussion Room" and select by pressing your left mouse button. On the "Discussion Room" page the first line should read "Online Case Discussions at the Virtual Conference Center. Move your mouse arrow to this line and select. 

On the next page you should see the following screen:

(This is the perfect time to "Bookmark" or add this page to you list of "Favorites.")

5.  If you are a first time user, you will need to self-register. You may do so by moving your mouse arrow and selecting "New Account Setup." The following screen will appear. 

The userid and password are required.  Your password is whatever you chose. Once you've established your id and password you will see the following screen:

However, the first time you enter the Caucus Center, you may see that the course title has not been added to your list. (If the course "Overview of Deafblindness with an Emphasis in Communication" is listed under "Conference Name" Skip the following instructions and go to the next paragraph.) Go to and select <edit your list>. Under the title, "Conference you can add," should be a box on the right side of your screen containing the course name ,"Overview of Deafblindness . . . "  Move your mouse arrow on the course name and select by pressing the left mouse button. Next, scroll down to and check  the little box next to "Add selected conferences to my list."  Directly underneath is a button <Make these changes> that must be selected which will allow you to enter this course. Your screen will refresh and return you to the Caucus Center. The course should be listed under "Conference Name."

Notice the class title is blue which means it is a hyperlink or a connection to the course's Virtual Conference Center within Caucus. Using your mouse move the mouse arrow to the course title and press the left mouse button to enter the VCC.

Create Your Bio

6.  Tell us about yourself. 
To create your bio and provide the class and facilitators information about yourself, select the icon (symbol) at the top right of the page named "People"  by moving your mouse arrow to the people icon and press your left mouse button. You should see the following message on your screen.

Caucus Center => A Overview of Deafblindness with an Emphasis in Communication\ => People

Use this page to find a particular person by his or her name.

To see a list of all members registered for this course go to and select "all members" link (underlined and seen in blue) by moving your mouse arrow to "all members" and press your left mouse button.

Find and move the mouse arrow to your name. Select by pressing the left mouse button.

The next page should have the following title:
Personal Information & Settings for (Your Name will be here!)

Following the instructions fill in your bio information. 

If you have a picture of yourself please upload and incorporate into your biography. To do this follow the instructions below.

Locate the line that contains "Picture URL." If you know the location of the picture file, simply type that address in the box following "Picture URL." However, if you do not know the location but have it on a disk or on your hard drive go to "Browse" on same line. Select "Browse" by moving your mouse arrow to the word "Browse" and pressing the left mouse button. 

A dialogue box should open giving you access to the files on your computer and the "A" or "D" drives. Locate your picture file and upload.  ( If you do not have  a picture of yourself that is scanned into your computer please send a photograph to Toni Trujillo or Rose Hessmiller in care of the Project for NM Children and Youth Who Are Deafblind.) When all information has been inserted, move your mouse arrow to <Change Your Information> and using the left mouse button select (click). This will take you back to the listing of all members in the course. If you select your name again your data and photo will appear.  To view the instructors or other members' biographical information, feel free to select and meet someone new.   

When you are ready to return to the Course Discussion Homepage you will see the course title at the top of the page as follows: 
 
Caucus Center => A Overview of Deafblindness with an Emphasis in Communication\ => People

Move your mouse arrow over the course title and press the left mouse button to return to the Course Discussion Homepage. 

Create a Response 
in the Yucca Bloom Cafe

7.  You are now ready to explore and respond in a room at the bottom of the page. When you scroll down on the Course Discussion Homepage, you will see a list of room titles highlighted in blue. Remember anything highlighted in blue is a hyperlink to another page. Locate and navigate your mouse arrow over the title: Yucca Bloom Cafe. Press the left mouse button to enter the room. 

HOW TO CREATE A RESPONSE-- 
After reading the Yucca Bloom Cafe Welcome, scroll to the bottom of the page where you will see the dialogue box designed for you to type in your responses.

At this point we would like you to answer the following questions in the dialogue box.

                        Why are you taking this course?

                        What do you hope to gain from the course?

After you have completed the your responses select <Post and View>. The screen will refresh or reload to include your message. Check your message for editing purposes and content. If you would like to add or correct something, select the <Edit> button on the right side of the message. This will return you to the dialogue box for editing or additions. To return to the main page of the Course VCC--select the <Pass> button located on the right side of the screen just below the posted messages.

Create An
Email to Someone

Next you will be asked to email one of the facilitators. At the top of the page you will see the icons. One of those is <People> icon click on it. This will take you a page titled People.   Select all members. Go through the list and select the member you wish to email. This should give you a dialog box with the persons email address. Click on the email address this should put you in your default email program  (Outlook Express, Netscape, AOL ). Email as you would any other time and send.

Take a Sample
Quiz and Email to an Instructor

Return to the listing of course members and select one of the course instructors: Toni Trujillo or Cece Quintana and email a response to one of the following questions from the Sample Quiz below not exceed one paragraph. (This is a sample of the type of quiz that is utilized in this course.)

SAMPLE QUIZ
1. Evaluate the instructions of the "First Assignment." Where were the instructions most clear and where were the problem areas.

2. Have you had previous experience with on-line courses? Explain the pros and cons.

You have reached the conclusion of the "First Assignment." Was it as bad as you thought or worse? Just Kidding!

Feel free to make or add comments, ask questions, etc. in any of the instructors' rooms or the Yucca Bloom Cafe. We are always open for business!!!

Get Ready,
Set, Go!

You are ready to begin your quest! Search and seek out your child/student's demographics. Post your findings on the VCC/Caucus Center in the "Demographics Room" by responding to the listed questions such as fictitious name/initials, age, etc. 

While you're searching files and gathering information also look for an audiological evaluation report that includes an audiogram and a vision evaluation report. These will be utilized in Sessions 2 and 3.