Joining

I think that I've mentioned in previous semesters' posts that my college students must register for online examination accounts. The school bookstore sells the site access code as part of a textbook bundle which comes all tidily encased in shrink wrap. This is done, I am certain, to ensure that each student gets all of the materials for which they are paying.

During the first class of the semester, we, the instructors, make all sorts of Important Announcements. One of the most significant of these Important Announcements is the one where we tell the students that they will be creating their online testing accounts in lab class the following week and that they need to go to the bookstore to purchase their textbooks and to be absolutely sure that they bring the site access code to the next class.

You know, I know what you're thinking, because right now, I'm thinking the same thing. Actually, I've been thinking it ever since I started teaching here. Why, oh why don't they listen to instructions?*

After the student creates the online account, the next step is to join my section. I have a code for each section and I write it on the board, being very careful to remind the class that it is case-sensitive and to point out that "this character is a five, not an S", where appropriate. I advise all students who have forgotten to bring their access codes to write down all of this information so that they can create their accounts later, either from home or in the lab.

And then the emails begin...

Some of them are as simple as this,

To: professor trek
From: Student Joining Course
========================================
professor trek,

I wrote down the code to join your section as DSTTAQQ343989 but the site doesn't recognize it. It tells me that the class has been deleted. Please advise.

# # #

Easy, peasy!

# # #

To: SJC
From: prof trek
========================================
You just need a hyphen. Try DSTTAQQ-343989.

# # #

To: professor trek
From: SJC
========================================
Thank you, that worked great.

# # #

Other times, they are not so simple. For example, this semester was the very first time I encountered the next issue and at least three students were guilty. I'm compressing time and text for clarity.

Note: I told the students to use their school email addresses as their login names and gave them the passwords they should use. This way, if they forget their passwords, I can help them. We don't have access to the online testing service's database and instructors cannot look up lost passwords.

To: professor trek
From: Several Students Not Joining Course
========================================
professor trek,

Every time I try to join the section, the web site tells me that I can't. I am sure I put in the right code. Help!

# # #

Hmm, need more information...

# # #

To: SSNJC
From: prof trek
========================================
What exactly is the error message? What are you using for login credentials? Did you use your school email address for the login name and the password I gave you?

# # #

To: prof trek
From: SSNJC
========================================
I just can't log in. I go to the page [insert correct URL here] and then it doesn't take the code for your section.

# # #

So, you are attempting to log in putting the sign up code in which input box? The one labeled Login Name or the one labeled Password?

# # #

To: SSNJC
From: prof trek
========================================
You have already joined the class. Just type in your email address for login name and [correct password] for your password.

# # #

To: prof trek
From: SSNJC
========================================
Oh, good, that worked.

# # #

Imagine that.

# # #

On the plus side, my early section today took their first exam and the class average was 95.5%. Go, team!

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* Can you name that movie?