firstclass

=This section is archived and no longer updated= =Additional pages= Advanced FirstClass Using FirstClass with Students FirstClass Conferences fctipsandtricks = = =Getting the Most from First Class= First Class Advanced - click here toc

What is First Class(r)?
First Class is a unified communication tool. The Surrey School District uses first class for email, calendaring, voice recording, web publishing, conferencing, (soon blogging and podcasting) To find out more about the software, check out http://www.firstclass.com

Accessing FirstClass® at home
Students have the ability to download FirstClass® and use it at home. If they are using WindowsXP, they need to be logged into an administrator account to be able to install. The website with download instructions and links to the free client software is located at: http://fcweb.sd36.bc.ca

Logging into FirstClass® via the web
Students are able to log into FirstClass® even without downloading the client software. This can be done by clicking the Log Into First Class button on http://fcweb.sd36.bc.ca or going directly to http://fcweb.sd36.bc.ca/login

First Class as an educator
First Class is an integrated communication tool. You can use it for many communication tasks. I have found that:
 * it is easier to keep organized
 * with folders
 * with conferences
 * with mail-lists
 * with calendars
 * with archiving

I have found that I can work collaboratively
 * with peers
 * with students
 * on multiple projects

I can create
 * documents for sharing
 * documents for publishing
 * documents for presenting

First Class working with students
Working with Students is fantastic as the whole system has been designed with communication in mind. Students using First Class accounts have all the benefits that I have found as and educator.

Having a unified system for communication opens up the doors for learning. All students have a similar skill set. When students move between classes, teachers and schools, the skills remain the same.

Getting Started with First Class
Login - your user id is created by the district based on your name (usually lastname_first initial) Password - the initial password is set by the district. If you forget your password, you can call 604-592-3300 and they can reset it to the standard

Setting up a Resume
Click File > Open > Resume We recommend creating a resume so that others in the district can know more about you. It is helpful to know that this is the Kevin that works as CISC rather than the one working at David Brankin or to know which Kevin at MB Sanford is teaching Grade 7

Sending an eMail
Click File > New > Mail - Most versions also have a button in the menu on the FC desktop

Formating


Using the formating bar, you can adjust the font type, size and colour for emails that you send and receive. Using the insert menu, you can insert your signature(see below) as well as images and tables

Setting up a Signature
Click the Messaging Tab > Initial Content

Turning Spell Check on
Click the Content Tab > Spell Check

Replying to Email
There are many types of Reply that you can do Reply with Quote - Replies to Sender with the text of the original quoted Reply all - Replies to all that were listed in the To, CC, and BCC list Reply Sender - only replies to the sender of the email but not CC and BCC Reply to Conference places it in the conference so all with access to the conference it was created in can read the reply Reply to Original Author will reply to the sender of the first email. In the From Field this is the bottom name in the list Reply from conference does not list you as the sender. The advantage to using this is so that replying to the sender goes back toe the conference.