Student Orientation to Online Learning at UWG

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Student Orientation to Online Learning at UWG

• WebCT, HorizonLive and
• Student Resources

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Contents

• Online Learning
• Student Resources and Services
• Intro to WebCT
• HorizonLive
• Assess Where You Are

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Online Learning

• Nature of online learning

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Distance Student Guide

• www.westga.edu/distance/handbook.html

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Student Resources and Services

• UWG Online Connection
• Your First Stop for Student Services
• http//www.westga.edu/online/

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The DDEC

• The Distance and Distributed Education Center
  (DDEC)
• Help line 678-839-6248
• Email distance_at_westga.edu
• http//distance.westga.edu

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Student Resources Services
Online services are available in the areas of

• Advisement
• Financial Aid
• Ordering Books
• E-mail
• Library Resources

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Advisement

• UWG Excel Center provides academic advisors
  online information
• Ask Andy (virtual advisor)
• http//www.westga.edu/ EXCELCenter/

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Financial Aid

• The same financial aid opportunities are
  available for distance students as on-campus
  students. Financial Aid info can be found at
  http//www.westga.edu/ finaid/

Email Finaid_at_westga.edu
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Ordering Books

• Order textbooks by phone or online from the
  University Bookstore
• Visit the UWG online bookstore here
  http//www.bookstore.westga.edu
• Call 678-839-6523

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E-mail and BanWeb

• Free e-mail account for every student
• Log on to BanWeb at http//banweb.westga.edu
• Or, call ITS at 678-839-6587

TechLife homepage
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The Library

• GA residents UWG students may use the library
  services of any college or university within the
  university system of Georgia.
• You can search nearly 100 databases through
  GALILEO, the statewide virtual library.
• http//www.westga.edu/library/

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Distance Learning Library Services

• www.westga.edu/library/depts/offcampus/

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Vital Info Your One-Stop MUST READ Technical
Guide
distance.westga.edu/vitalinfo.html
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WebCT

• WebCT Web Course Tools
• The online course delivery system for the
  University System of Georgia

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Accessing WebCT

• To login to WebCT, go to the WebCT homepage
• http//webct.westga.edu/
• You can also quick link WebCT homepage from the
  West Georgia homepage http//www.westga.edu/

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WebCT Student Tutorial

• Before you take an online course, complete the
  ABCs of WebCT Student Tutorial at
  http//webct.westga.edu/public/ABC101_studtutorial
  /index.html
• Username guest Password guest

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Logon to WebCT
Go to http//webct.westga.edu
Notice! There is no WWW in the address
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Logon What is Your Username Password?
Scroll down to Logon Directions to search for
your Username determine Password
WebCT Username Search
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Logging in to WebCT
Click Log on to WebCT
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Enter Username/ WebCT ID Password
Your WebCT ID is your myUWG e-mail username (in
lower case). If you dont know it refer to the
WebCT Homepage log on directions.
Your password consists of the last 2 digits of
the year you were born and the last 4 digits of
your social security number.
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Discussion Board (AKA Bulletin Board)

• The Discussion Board allows students to
• Compose reply to public or private group
  messages
• Search for messages

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Discussion Board
To write a message
To search for a message
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Discussion Messages
Show ALL messages or just the ones you have not
read yet. View Threaded or in Order by Date
posted. Use Update Listing if you need to
refresh the page.
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Discussion Tips
Click on Looking Glass to view all messages in a
thread at once Click the Blue Arrow to expand a
Thread Unread Messages appear in BOLD and w/ a
closed envelope
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Composing a message

• Click Compose Message only when you want to
  BEGIN a threaded conversation.
• Allows the user to post messages under certain
  topics. It includes font size, adding
  attachments, equation editor (allows math
  problems to typed) and a preview message option.

Be sure to choose the right Topic area!
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Reply to a Message

• .
• To REPLY to a message click the REPLY button at
  the top of the message.
• One can also choose to REPLY PRIVATELY (goes to
  recipients Mail box) or QUOTE (quotes the
  original message in your reply).

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WebCTs Private Mail

• The Private Mail system provides three main
  functions for WebCT mail messages
• sending
• reading
• searching
• Filing messages

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Private Mail only works in
WebCT
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To Send a Message ALWAYS use Browse, in order to
choose Recipients)
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To Attach File
Click the browse icon to search for a file.
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Browsing For A File
1. Find the file you want to attach and double
click it.
2. The file you click on will appear in the box
then press Open.
Note If you cant find your file, make sure you
are looking at ALL FILES types.
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Attaching a File
The file you chose should appear in the
attachments box.
Then press attach file.
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Attaching a File
The file should be attached in blue.
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Whiteboard
Users logged in

• provides "real-time" communication over the
  Internet that has a visual or graphical component
  in addition to text-based communication.

Information for icons
Color Appletes
Images
Font
Drawing tools
Line Thickness
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Chat

• allows user to send instant real-time messages
  to others in the chat room. It also allows the
  sending of URL's.
• offers six different rooms 4 are recorded.

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Chat
Different Chat rooms the user can enter
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Chat
Logged in users
Message display
To send a URL
To exit chat room
To write a message, press enter to send
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Calendar

• allows users to view, add, edit the daily
  schedule and post messages.
• allows students, teaching assistants, and
  instructors to exchange information about
  course-related events quickly and effectively.

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Calendar
To cycle through months
To add and edit entries
To preview a week
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HorizonLive

• Access the Wizard at http//horizonlive.westga.edu
  
• HorizonLive help at http//distance.westga.edu/hor
  izonlive/
• The HorizonLive Orientation is linked to the
  HorizonLive Help

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Assess Where You Are

• Are You Ready?
• Log on with your WebCT username and password
• Take self- assessment
• SORT at http//www.alt.usg.edu/sort/

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We are here for you!

• Have Inquiries? Need Help?
• Contact the DDEC
• distance_at_westga.edu
• 678-839-6248
• Phone After-hours Toll Free Number
  1-877-855-3238 Service hours 
•     Monday-Friday 900AM-900PM EST     
  Saturday Sunday 1200PM-1000PM EST