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Forms

Forms allow users to enter data to be sent to the server. The OWL uses forms to allow students to send questions and papers for a tutor response. It also uses forms to allow visitors to send email to us.

A form consists of fields and buttons.

A field looks like this:

Fields may be larger or smaller depending on the purpose of the field.

A radio button looks like this: or

A check box looks like this: or

The send button may look like this: or

The reset button may look like this: or or

Some students prefer to practice sending a paper to get acquainted with using forms.

The server software can do several things with the data it receives when students click the send button:

create a web page
create or append data to a text file
add a link in another web page
send email

When a student sends a paper, the server automatically takes the following actions:

verifies that key fields were filled in (student's name, email address, etc.)
1. if necessary, sends a web page explaining that missing information must be filled in
sends a web page response so that the student knows his or her paper was sent
creates a web page with the student's paper at the top and a form that tutors will fill out at the bottom
creates a link in a menu so that tutors know a new paper has been received
stores the student's FTE data in a text file which is periodically added into the FTE database

When a tutor responds to a paper, the server automatically takes the following actions:

verifies that key fields were filled in (tutor name, date and time, etc.)
1. if necessary, sends a web page explaining that missing information must be filled in
sends a web page response so that the tutor knows his or her comments have been sent
creates a web page with the tutor's comments
creates a link in the menu so that tutors can view completed sessions
sends the tutor's comments to the student in the form of email
stores the tutor's FTE data in a text file which is periodically added into the FTE database

This process can also be viewed in graphical form.

The OWL is an extension of the Community College of Denver Writing Center.
For more information contact

Bret Hann, Writing Center Coordinator
303-556-4709

For technical help contact

Rebecca Gunther, Writing Center Assistant Coordinator
303-556--6303

This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Technology Learning Grant and Revolving Loan Program, State of Colorado, Department of Higher Education. We are also grateful for the ongoing support of Colorado Community Colleges Online (CCCOnline).

303-556-2600