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 ESCOT
Problem of the Week:
How to Participate
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This is an Experiment!

ESCOT Problems of the Week provides software tools to solve or explore the problem. Each problem will have several parts, each building on the previous ones, spread out over 2-4 weeks. Each week a new part will be available for download, as described below. The ESCOT Problem of the Week uses a special browser for the software (called the Runner) that runs our activities. Eventually we hope normal web browsers will be able to run our Java applications with no problem. Until then you must jump through a few hoops to participate.

Contents:

  1. Get the ESCOT Runner. You need to do this only one time. (download the Runner)
  2. Use the Runner to get a new Problem every week.
  3. Do the problem in the Runner.
  4. Save a copy on your computer or floppy disk.
  5. Use the Submit button to send your answer from the Runner.
  6. Tell us information to identify you: your school, name, and email address.
  7. A mentor will write to your email address (you can't participate without giving us your correct email address).
  8. Use the Runner to open your saved copy and revise your solution if necessary.
  9. Submit your revision.
  10. Dates and Deadlines

Detailed Instructions:

1. Get the ESCOT Runner (You must be working at a computer connected to the Internet):

First time users must download the ESCOT Runner (download times are included in here), install it, and launch it in order to be ready for getting the ESCOT Problem of the Week.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Mac: System 7.6.1 or later, PowerPC, 48M RAM.
PC: Windows 95/98 or Windows NT, Pentium, 48M RAM.

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2. Get the Problem (You must be working at a computer connected to the Internet):

  1. In the ESCOT Runner you should be looking at its Home Page. If not, click on Home. The following instructions must be followed using the ESCOT Runner. Your normal web browser will not be able to complete the process successfully.
  2. You will see a link to the Math Forum. Click on this and it will take you to the ESCOT Problem of the Week page.
  3. In the middle of the page, you will see a description of this week's problem. There may be links giving directions for the activity. Read those (Print them out if you want and are able to).
  4. Come back to the main ESCOT Problem of the Week page and click on the link, "Ready to Work! Get the Problem."
  5. Wait. Keep waiting. Wait until the problem is loaded in the Runner window. It takes a long time to load the problem.

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3. Do the Problem (Doesn't matter whether you are connected to the Internet):

Follow the instructions on the screen for the problem.

Remember,if you need help figuring out what to do, there may be special instructions back on the main ESCOT Problem of the Week page. You can always find your way back there by going to Home, under the Go menu in the ESCOT Runner. (Use the little "Browser" tab at the bottom of your ESCOT Runner window if you're doing the activity.)

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4. Save your answer:

As you work on your solution you should Save it regularly by clicking on the Save button in the top right of the Runner window. In some cases, only the text you write will be saved. The first time you will be asked to give your solution file a name and specify where you want it saved on your computer. It is a good idea to keep a copy that won't get deleted in a place where you can use it again in case you want to make revisions. You could put in on a floppy disk or save it in your work folder on the hard drive. (If it doesn't ask you for a file name when you hit Save, then do a 'Save As' in the File menu. You will want to know where your file is and what it's called.)

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5. Submit your answer:

When you are done working on your solution, click on the Submit button. (If you haven't Saved yet you will be asked to do so.) The Runner will update your saved copy and then send a copy to the Math Forum. You will have to identify yourself to the Math Forum before the submission is complete (see below). You will see an acknowledgement page when your answer has been received. You will also get an email confirming this.

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6. Identify yourself:

The first time you need to give us information about yourself, including your school, your name, and your email address. After that you will use menus to find your school and your name.

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7, 8, 9. Read the Mentor's comments and Revise:

Revise: A mentor will write to you about your solution. You respond by going back to the ESCOT Runner, opening the saved copy of your solution, revising it, and resubmitting.

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10. Dates and Deadlines:

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