More on how Conversations on The Piazza work--how to join, how to start one

The basic idea behind Conversations on TPS Online's Piazza is that we want a means for groups of friends to get together and discuss topics of interest to them, as much as possible the way they might do if they met on a piazza somewhere. In practice, a Conversation is like a short term, single topic, e-mail list. Its "membership" is limited to those who have joined the conversation, and it lasts only as long as the topic continues to be of interest to the group. Thus, Conversations will be ending and new ones beginning all the time, and every post will be "on topic" because the topic defines the Conversation. A brief summary of what is happening in each current Conversation can be found on The Piazza. To join a Conversation, simply click on its title and send your comments. If you don't have much to say and just want to "listen in," send a message to say hello and we will introduce you to the group. To begin a Conversation on a new topic, click on "New Conversation" and we will give you a space and see what happens. There are a number of unanswered questions about how The Piazza will evolve. We want these questions to be answered by the participants. For instance, a Conversation that just keeps going on and on may get its own permanent status as a cafe. Archives of Conversations may be available. For now please try it out, and let us know what works for you.

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