Request+help

How to request help with a problem ([|Watch screencast])

 * Suggestion**: Print this page!

1. Join Wikispaces (click //Join// in the upper right corner and follow the instructions).

2. Join this wiki. > > >
 * 1) Return to the mathcasts Wikispace (http://mathcasts.wikispaces.com).
 * 1) Login to Wikispaces and click //Join this space// in the upper left-hand corner of this page.
 * 1) Enter a username and password to request membership.
 * 2) An email will be sent to an organizer who will approve your membership.
 * 3) You will receive an email welcoming you to this wikispace

3. Add your request to a page
 * 1) Click //Edit This Page// (at the top of the page) and then type the Problem name, requested by (your initials are fine), the date, and the priority (how badly you need a solution).
 * 2) Select your Problem Name and click the //Add Link// button.
 * 3) Create a link to a new page with the same name as your Problem Name.
 * 4) Click //Save//.
 * 5) Click on the link to the new page.

4. Add your problem to the new page >
 * 1) You can type your problem on the new page or
 * 1) You can add an image of your problem to the new page using [|SnagIt] or using [|SMART Notebook software] and/or Microsoft Paint (here's a [|screencast] showing how to use SMART Notebook + Microsoft Paint). "Write" your problem with mouse, graphics tablet, Tablet PC, or electronic whiteboard (see [|Mathcast tools]for more information)
 * 2) Save your new page.
 * 3) Select the notify me tab and ask for email or RSS notification if you'd like to be notified when someone solves your problem and updates your problem page.

5. Wait for help to arrive (hopefully not too long!) > >
 * 1) Check your email periodically for email notification or
 * 1) Check your problem page to see if someone has solved your problem.

6. Read, view, listen to the solution and give feedback >
 * 1) If the solution meets your needs then edit the page on which you requested help to indicate this and then leave a nice note on the problem page. This will encourage your helper to spend time again helping you and others.
 * 2) If the solution doesn't quite meet your needs then edit the problem page and the discussion page linked to it so that your helper and possibly others will see it.
 * 3) Consider asking follow up questions using the discussion page that is linked to your problem page.

What happens to your request?
> This [|screencast] shows how this work. >
 * 1) Math helpers (adults, your peers) will automatically receive an email notifying them that you've requested help with a problem.
 * 1) One or more math helpers will receive your request and then help you either by a) typing a response on your problem page, or b) creating a mathcast ([|tools and methods]) with their voice and writing showing you how to solve your requested problem ([|screencast]) and then edit your problem request page ([|screencast]), or c) offer to work online with you using [|Skype] (free voice over IP) + [|TalkAndWrite] (free Skype add-in for annotating a shared whiteboard).
 * 1) If you signed up for notification (you did right?!) then you'll automatically get an email or RSS feed telling you that a solution is available ([|screencast]).
 * 2) You can ask for additional help through the discussion page linked to your problem page.