TOPIC 8:  LEARNING ABOUT WEBCT

 

Before starting, please print this page so you can read it and interact with WebCT at the same time.  The following section describes how to log in to myWebCT, introduces some of the most useful WebCT tools, and describes what you will see on the SWTJC WebCT course homepage.

 

How to Login to myWebCT

 

The first step to using WebCT is to get logged in (signed in) to the Junior College's WebCT web page.  Do the following:

 

 

If you are unable to log in, please contact me.  It is possible that your date of birth was entered incorrectly in the college computer.  I will be able to help you correct this problem.

 

Click here to download and view a video about logging on to WebCT. This is a large file and may take a long time to download. There is sound on the video but you may have to turn the volume almost all the way up to hear the sound. You may need to install a flash player. When the video has finished click on the back arrowto return to this page. (The video displays using the Student ID for the user name and using an 8 digit password.)

 

myWebCT Welcome Page

 

This is the page that displays after you log on and is the gateway to our virtual classroom.  Your name displays at the top of the myWebCT window.  Below your name is a course list with links to all the online courses and/or hybrid classes you are taking that are using the WebCT platform.  If no courses appear, contact me and any other online instructor.  To enter a course, click on the course name (this is the recommended method to access the course as I may change the Homepage to provide additional instructions).  However, if the word 'news:' followed by some iconsappears under a course name, you have quick access to course updates without having to open the course.  Clicking on these can take you directly to your WebCT e-mail to read new e-mails, to assignments to see newly posted assignments, or to the discussion forum to view new postings.  Also, warnings are given if an assignment deadline is close.

 

Course Homepage

 

To enter a course, click on the course name. This takes you to the course’s Homepage. The Homepage is divided into several frames.

 

1.         A WebCT navigations bar is found at the top of the Homepage.  It is always visible when you are logged into the WebCT site.  It includes the links:

 

           

 

            You can click on these to take you to specific tools within your course. myWebCT will take you back to the welcome page and your course list.  Course Map provides an outline of the course and it has active links to specific sections of the class.  Check Browser will take you to a page that allows you to verify that your web browser meets the requirements to view the applications in WebCT.  Log Out takes you out of WebCT.  Help will take you to specific help information for the page that you are working on.

 

2.         The Course Menu  navigation bar is found on the left hand side in a vertical frame.  Listed under the words 'Course Menu' are the various sections of the course that will be used.  These words are also navigation links.  Clicking on the word will take you to that section of the course.  You can hide the navigation bar by clicking on the green arrow (pointing down) to the left of the words 'Course Menu'.  Hiding the navigation bar will increase your screen width.  Clicking on the arrow (pointing right) will reveal the 'Course Menu' frame again.  You can still go to any section of the class while the course menu frame is hidden clicking on the blue arrowto the right of the words 'Course Menu.'  A drop-down menu will appear and you can click on the section where you want to go.

 

3.         The course title and "breadcrumbs" are located directly under the WebCT navigation bar to the right of the words Course Menu.

 

            Introduction to Computers  (Introduction to Computers)

           

 

            Breadcrumbs refer to a list of WebCT locations where you have been to get where you are now.  The breadcrumbs can also be used to navigate through the course.  Your current location is the last location on the line and is printed in darker type.  The other words on the line are links, and clicking on any one of them will take you back to that location.

 

4.         Navigation icons (the pictures you see under the large text box) are links, as well as the words below the icons.  Clicking on an icon or the words under the icon will take you to that section of the course.

           

 

End of Topic 8.

 

Continue to Topic 9

 

 

Orientation Overview

 

Topic 7:  Copying and Pasting     Topic 9:  Using E-mail in WebCT

 

WebCT Home Page                      SWTJC Home Page

 

 

Revised Feburary 2011