Welcome to WebCT at CSUBWelcome to WebCT at CSUB

WebCT Version 4.1Presented by Web Services

Introduction

This presentation introduces several aspects of WebCT, which include logging in, changing your password and login hint, and accessing course features.

WebCT course features include, but are not limited to, viewing course material, submitting assignments, e-mailing the professor and classmates, participating in discussion topics, chatting, and viewing your grades.

Depending upon how the course is set up, you may not have access to all WebCT features.

WebCT Supported BrowsersOperating System Browser

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/NT •Netscape 6.2x and 7.0  •Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 •AOL 7.0 and 8.0

Mac •Netscape 6.2.x •Internet Explorer 5.1 (OS 9.x and OS x.1) and 5.2 (OS x.2)•AOL OS X

AOL Users

For best results with AOL:

1. Connect to the Internet using AOL version 4.0 or higher.

2. Open a private chat within AOL (allows the AOL client to remain open without asking if you wish to disconnect while minimized).

3. Minimize AOL.

4. Launch a supported Browser.

NOTE: If you are using AOL 7.0 and 8.0 disregard this section.

Minimum Hardware Requirements

PC/Windows Macintosh

Operating System 98/Me/2000/XP/NT OS 9.x/OS X 10.1

Processor 133 MHz PowerPC/68040

RAM 32MB 32MB

Free Disk Space 100 MB 100 MB

Modem 28.8 kbps or faster 28.8 kbps or faster

Important Information

For all browsers, JavaScript must be enabled. You may need to check your browser cache and java settings. See items #3 and #4 in the section, Preparing Your Computer Settings for WebCT, which is in the main browser tune-up page.

To access Chat and Whiteboard using Netscape 6.2.1, you may require an updated java plug-in. Read more in the WebCT Support Knowledge Base. 

Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is not supported. Read more in the WebCT Support Knowledge Base.

NOTE: Information above provided by WebCT.com

Accessing WebCTUse this chart to determine if you can access your WebCT Course

WebCT ID and Password

Your WebCT ID is the same as your RunnerMail Username. For example, the WebCT ID of John Smith (jsmith@runner.csub.edu), would be jsmith.

Your initial password is the last five (5) digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) or the last five (5) digits of your CSUB ID number.

If you have previously logged into WebCT, and changed your password, use that password and not the last five digits of your SSN or CSUB ID number.

Accessing your WebCT Course

1. Access the Internet through the use of a supported Browser.

2. Visit the WebCT at CSUB homepage: http://www.csub.edu/webct

3. At the main WebCT page, click on ‘Log In’.

Login and Logout

1. Enter your WebCT ID.

2. Enter your Password.

3. Select ‘Log in’.

NOTE: If you have forgotten your password, contact Web Services.

To logout of WebCT, select the Logout option within WebCT, and close the browser that is in use.

First-time Users

When you first login to WebCT, you are required to change your password. You must type your old password, type your new password twice, and select ‘Update Password.’

NOTE: Changing your password is mandatory.

First-time Users

After you have changed your password, you are given the option of creating a login hint.

This hint allows WebCT to send you an e-mail in the event that you forget your password.

To set up your login hint select ‘OK’.

Change Login Hint

Below ‘Change Login Hint’ type in your e-mail address, a question, and the answer. Select ‘Update login hint’

If you have previously logged into WebCT, it is a good idea to set-up the login hint, in case you forget your password. This is done by going to ‘Password Settings’ on the myWebCT interface.

Browser Check

The ‘Check Browser’ option allows you to check if the browser being used is supported by WebCT.

If the browser is not supported, click on the link for the ‘Browser Tuneup Page’.

If the browser is supported, return to the myWebCT page.

myWebCT Interface

NOTE: Read more about myWebCT Interface here.

Announcements from the server administrator.

Manage Bookmarks, Password and Hint settings, and Preferences.

Check to see if you are using a supported browser, logout, and visit the Help link.

Here you will find a list of your WebCT courses. Enter the course by clicking on the name.

Set up by the Administrator and seen by everyone.

WebCT Course Homepage

NOTE: The courses that your are enrolled in may offer these basic tools. The tool icons and location may differ.

To access any of the tools, click on the icon or icon name.

WebCT Help Link

On WebCT course pages, there is a ‘Help’ link that pertains to the selected icon.

If you have questions concerning the page you are on, select the ‘Help’ link.

WebCT offers help for most course icons.

WebCT Navigation

When navigating through WebCT, use the ‘Breadcrumbs’ to return your previous location.

With the above example, you are on the ‘Scores’ page, and can return to the following pages: Quiz, Evaluation Tools, and Homepage.

WebCT ‘Breadcrumbs’

Content Module

This area allows the professor to list, in a hierarchic format, documents for the course.

To view the document click on the title.

A right-pointing green triangle next to a heading indicates that there are subheadings which are not displayed.

Click the right-pointing green triangle to make the subheadings visible.

Content Module

After selecting a content page, the Action Menu will appear.

Use the ‘Previous page’ and ‘Next page’ images on the Action Menu instead of your browsers ‘Back’ and ‘Forward’ options.

Syllabus

There are two ways the professor may present the course syllabus:

(1) Use WebCT. (2) Use Microsoft Word.

With either option, you can save and/or print the syllabus.

Self Test

Allows you to test your knowledge about information concerning the course. Your answers may include feedback for the questions.

No grades are assigned or recorded, therefore it will not affect your grade in the course.

Your are immediately informed whether the answer is correct or incorrect.

My Grades

The My Grades icon contains grades for the course. If your course does not have a My Grades icon, then you will not be able to view your grades within WebCT.

Only you, the instructor, and possibly an assistant will have access to your grades.

Quizzes

On this page, you can view quiz statistics, availability, duration, grades, and attempts.

To begin a Quiz, click the title of the quiz (WebCT Quiz 1).

Availability: date and time the quiz may be accessed.

Duration: amount of time to complete the quiz.

Grade: displays quiz grade

Attempts: number of times you have attempted the quiz, and the number of attempts remaining.

Quizzes

Once you have clicked on the title of the quiz, you are sent to a page displaying instructions for taking a WebCT quiz.

After you have read the instructions, click ‘Begin quiz.’

NOTE: Read the instructions before beginning the quiz, it contains information about the quiz layout, and troubleshooting methods.

When the quiz opens, use the maximize function (PC/Windows) or resize the window to a larger size (Macintosh) on your browser, to make the quiz size full screen.

Quizzes

To answer a question, select your response. Then click ‘Save answer’. The Time Remaining and Questions Status are displayed on the right side of the screen.

Once all of your questions are saved, select ‘Finish’ then select ‘OK’ to submit the quiz for grading.

Quizzes

Once the quiz is submitted, you may have the option of viewing your results.

If the results, and/or questions and answers are released, you will be able to view the entire quiz.

NOTE: Depending upon how the quiz is set up, you may not be able to view the results or questions and answers for the quiz.

This page also displays information about the time and date the quiz was taken. Your grade is displayed at the bottom of this page.

Discussions

The discussion board allows you to post and read messages about certain topics.

Click on the topic name to enter the discussion board.

Search: find messages based upon certain criteria. Topic Settings: specify the way messages are displayed.

Public: anyone in the course can post and read messages.Private: topic is only open to, and viewed by, certain students.Unlocked: you are allowed to post and read messages.Locked: you are allowed only to read messages.

Discussions

To post a message, click on the topic name, and Select ‘Compose message’.

To select another topic, use the ‘Select topic’ option.

You have the options of showing all messages ‘All’, or only showing the unread messages ‘Unread’.

To read a message click on the right-pointing green triangle found underneath ‘Status’ then click on the subject link.

Discussions - Reading

Reply: reply to all members of the topic without including the original message.

Reply Privately: reply is sent by e-mail to the person who posted the message, and not to the discussion board.

Quote: include the original message in your reply to the topic.

Download: save the message to your computer.

Use the ‘Previous Thread’ option to read the previous message.

Use the ‘Next Thread’ option to go to the next message.

Discussions - Posting

In the Subject text box, enter a title for your message. In the Message text box, enter your message.

You may also attach a file, by browsing for the file, then selecting attach file. Once the file is attached, the option of removing the file is provided.

NOTE: You can attach more than one file by repeating the attachment steps.

Preview: view the message before posting it.

Once you post the message, select ‘Update listing’, to refresh the page to see recent postings..

E-Mail

Use the ‘Compose Mail Message’ option to create mail. To read your mail, select the Inbox Folder.

The ‘Search’ option works the same as it does in discussions. The ‘Message Settings’ is the same as ‘Topic Settings’ found in the discussion board.

Options Manage Folders allows you to create additional folders. The created folders can be renamed or deleted.

Options Messages allows you to delete and move messages to another folder.

E-Mail - Sending

WebCT E-Mail is separate from other e-mail accounts you may have.

You can only send mail to the professor and students who are enrolled in the same course.

Your mail will not be sent to other e-mail addresses unless you change the settings within WebCT.

E-Mail - Sending

After selecting ‘Browse’, to select a recipient for your message, highlight a name by clicking on it.

Messages can be sent to more than one person. This is done by holding down the shift or control key, while making your selection.

Press ‘Select’ to return to the message you are sending.

E-Mail - Reading

The ‘Forward’ option allows you to mail copies of the message, you are viewing, to others in the course.

Equation and HTML Editor

Equation EditorThe WebEQ Equation Editor allows you to create, view, and edit complex mathematical equations and is available in Discussions, E-Mail, Quiz, and Student Presentations.

To learn more about the Equation Editor visit Equation Editor for Windows or Equation Editor for Macintosh.

HTML EditorThe HTML editor provides word-processor-like features that display text and graphics the same as they will appear in a browser and is available in Discussions, E-Mail, Student Presentations, and Student Homepages

To learn more about the HTML Editor visit HTML Editor

Links

The professor may offer links to websites that are related to the course.

To view the website, simply click on the icon.

Links

If the link opens a new window, simple close the new window and you will return to your WebCT course.

Close the new window by using the option.

Chat

Chat allows users in the course to have real-time conversations and send URL addresses.

The last room (General Chat for All Courses) is open to all CSUB WebCT users.

To exit the chat room use the ‘Quit’ button.

NOTE: The conversations in the first four rooms are recorded.

ChatAfter typing your message, press ‘Enter’ to send.

To send a URL (web address), click the ‘Send URL’ button. To ensure the correct URL is sent, copy the URL instead of typing it.

To send a private message, select the name, and send the message.

Other WebCT ToolsSearch allows you to conduct a search for text within the course.

Content Compiler creates a custom collection of course notes from the topics in a Content Module.

Image Database view pictures uploaded by the professor.

Resume Course is a quick method for you to resume studying content pages where you left off.

Glossary is a fully-searchable glossary for course terms.

Whiteboard is a drawing tool that you may use during an online discussion.

Assignments send your assignment directly to your professor.

Student Homepages gives you the tools to create personal web pages.

Downloads and Plug-Ins

Downloads•Netscape Communicator – [PC/Windows] [MAC]

•Microsoft Internet Explorer – [PC/Windows] [MAC]

•Adobe Acrobat Reader

Common Plug-InsAllows you to view documents without having the program.

•Microsoft Word Viewer

•Microsoft Excel Viewer

•Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer

Useful LinksWebCT at CSUB

http://www.csub.edu/webct

Web Services Phone: 661-654-2315http://www.csub.edu/webservices

WebCT Websitehttp://www.webct.com

Student Technology Helpdesk Phone: 661-654-6677http://www.csub.edu/irts/sthd

Congratulations!

You are now ready to begin online learning through the use of a WebCT course.

Good Luck!