Install mIRC as described below and join the server and channel of your choice. Paticipate in the discussion using an ID comprised of your last name and first initial and then send a copy of the dialogue to my email. You can use copy/paste (in mIRC text is automatically copied to the buffer when you highlight it--no need to press CTRL-C or right click and select "paste"), the log functions of mIRC (see IRC help) or the Printscreen button (paste the image to MS Paint to see the screen image you captured) to produce a copy of the dialogue. If you are limited to on-campus access then speak with me during class for an alternate assignment.
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS for using mIRC at home: Using real-time chat requires you to have special "client" software on your computer. Click on the IRC link on your schedule to learn about this. The page will explain how IRC works and it will provide a link to download the mIRC Windows client (about the third link down on the left column below the main text of the site). Click on the "mIRC (Windows Client)" link and then click on the "Download" link. Finally, click on "Official Download Sites" and choose a state from which to download the mIRC client. Alternatively, you can go directly to www.mIRC.com and click on download.
A dialogue box will ask whether you want to run the file from the site or download it to a disk. Request that the file be downloaded to "disk" and enter a folder location (I recommend the Desktop if you are new to downloading files). The file "mirc61.exe" will be downloaded to the folder. Run that file and follow the dialogue box instructions to install mIRC (You should only have to click "Next," "Yes" and/or "Install.")
RUNNING mIRC: When you click on the mIRC desktop icon or choose mIRC from the Program task bar you have the option of reading an "Introduction" to mIRC. Read these instructions to learn how to join a chat channel.