Introduction to connexions

Breadcrumb navigation bar

The "You are here" Breadcrumb navigation bar is located just below the "Home", "About", "Content", "Software", and "Help"tabs. This navigation tool is a breadcrumb trail of the Connexions pages you have displayed as you have drilled into Connexions to getto the current page. By clicking on any point within the breadcrumb trail you can return to that page. This feature is very useful forreturning to the workgroup level page after working with the items within the workgroup.

Search

You can search the Content Commons for a specific module or a course using the Search button and text box in the upper right of the Connexions home page. Type in a name, keyword,course title, module title, text string, or object ID in the Search text box and click Search . Connexions will display a list of all modules and courses that match your entry. To view amodule or course, click on its title.

Quick start link

Clicking on this link in the upper right of the Connexions home page displays the "Connexions Quick Start Guide" page.This page helps authors and instructors get started creating content with Connexions quickly.

Courses link

This link in the upper right of the Connexions home page displays a list of the courses currently in the ConnexionsContent Commons. You can sort the display by course title, institution, or instructor to help you find a course.To open a course, click on the name of the course.

Personal toolbar

The personal toolbar is located under the "Quick Start" and "Courses" links. The options on this toolbar vary, dependingon whether you are logged into the system or not.

If you are not logged into Connexions or you do not have a Connexions account, you can perform the following actions by clicking on thelinks in this toolbar :

• Log into the system
• Report a bug
• Apply for a Connexions account

If you have a Connexions account and are logged into the system, you can perform the following actions byclicking on the links in this toolbar :

• Display your personal workspace
• Specify your personal preferences for your Connexions account, such as your title, your name, your e-mail address,your homepage URL, whether or not you want form help, and whether or not you want to display names. You can also resetyour account password.
• Report a bug
• Log out of the system

Navigation sidebar

This sidebar contains links to useful information about Connexions, similar to the information you can access throughthe "Home", "About", "Content", "Software", and "Help" tabs.

Log in sidebar

If you have a Connexions account, you can log into the system in this sidebar. In addition, there is a link to reset yourpassword (if you forgot it), and a link to the page for requesting a new Connexions account . This sidebar displays if you are not logged into the system.

Spotlight sidebar

This sidebar features a Connexions author who is being recognized for outstanding contributions to the Connexions Content Commons.A picture of the author appears along with a description of their work and links to their Connexions content.

E-mailbag sidebar

This sidebar displays examples of user comments submitted to Connexions. There is a link to additional user comments.

What's new sidebar

This sidebar contains links to news items about the latest developments with Connexions.

Workspaces sidebar

This sidebar contains links to your personal workspace, any workgroups of which you are a member,and the Create Workgroup page where you can create a workgroup. This item only displays if you are logged into the system.

Account requests

To apply for a Connexions account, use the following steps:

1. Click on the New author or instructor? link in the "Log in" sidebar. The Request a Connexions Account page displays.

2. Type in your title, name, e-mail, and home page URL. The fields with red squares next to the field names arerequired.
3. Click Continue . The "Account Request: Select Username" page displays.
4. Type in a user name. A list of suggested usernames that are based on your entries in the First, Middle, and Last Namefields is shown.
5. (Optional) Type in the fields of study for your contribution, indicate how you found out about Connexions, type in any commentsyou may have, and indicate if you would be willing to help test new features.
6. Click Continue . The "Account Request: Confirmation" page displays.
7. Review the site license agreement.
8. Select the checkbox that says you have read and agree to the site license.
9. Click Request Account . The "Account Request Complete" page displays. Connexions will send an e-mail to theaddress you entered in the step above. The e-mail contains directions for activating your new account.

Logging in and out

To log into Connexions, enter your user name and password in the "Log in" sidebar and click Log in .

Once you have logged in, the "Log in" sidebar is replaced by the Workspaces sidebar . The My Workspace and My Preferences links appear in the "Personal" toolbar.

To log out, click the Log out link located in the Personal toolbar , in the upper right side of the Connexions home page.