Using WebCT: Technical Information

Valid for Semester 2, 2005

Macquarie University Online Teaching Facility

• Software and hardware
• Access to the Internet
• Accessing the web site
• Using the web site
• Information technology policies and guidelines
• Help
• Confidentiality

Software and hardware

Software

Your unit web site has been designed using WebCT courseware and standard Internet technologies. In order to enhance the material and allow the use of advanced interactivity and media, some material may also use features particular to certain browsers and/or require some additional software.

You can check that your software meets WebCT's standard requirements by using the WebCT Browser Tune-up (http://www.webct.com/tuneup/). The Online Teaching Facility is currently using WebCT 4.1.

Browser

To avoid problems in your online unit, we recommend you use one of the following browsers:

• Netscape 6.2 or 7.x
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.1, 5.2 or 6.0
• AOL 7.0, 8.0 or 9.0
• Mozilla 1.5, 1.6 or 1.7
• Safari 1.2.

(Note Netscape 6.0 and 6.1, and Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 are not supported and you should not use them to access these courses. See the Browser Tune-up mentioned above for more details.)

Netscape browsers can be downloaded from http://www.netscape.com/.

Microsoft browsers and updates are available from http://www.microsoft.com/ (follow the "Downloads" link).

Browsers are also distributed on CDs attached to many popular computing magazines available from newsagents.

Plugins

A plugin is a program that works with your browser to give added functionality. Some web sites may require that you install one or more of these. The plugins you are likely to require are free and are listed below. These programs are also distributed on CDs attached to many popular computing magazines which are available from newsagents.

Adobe Reader: View, navigate and print PDF files (Download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html)

Flash: View animation and interactive content (Download from http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/)

Java - Sun Microsystems: Run applications and applets that use Java technology. Java is required for some WebCT components. (Download from http://www.java.com/ )

QuickTime: Download or stream audio and video (Download from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ )

Shockwave: View animation and interactive content (Download from http://www.macromedia.com/go/getshockwaveplayer/)

Hardware

Computer

The recommended minimum computer specifications are:

• PC, Windows 98 (Pentium with 32Mb RAM and 256 colours )
• Macintosh, OS 9.x or 10.1x (Power Macintosh with 32Mb RAM )

Modem

If you are accessing the web site using a modem, the modem should have a speed of at least 28.8 kilobits per second.

Access to the Internet

Off campus access

You can access your unit web site from anywhere on the Internet. Access to the Internet is available on-campus, through an Internet Service Provider (ISP), some local libraries, or Internet cafes anywhere in the world. If you can get to sites on the Internet, then you should be able to access your Online Teaching Facility online units.

On campus access

The Internet can be accessed from several places on campus:

• The Library has computers available with printing facilities and Internet access. Computers can be booked on level 1. Further information is available from IT Help (http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/general/ithelp/.)
• Information Technology Services (ITS) has several student laboratories. Details of their locations, opening hours and printing facilities are at http://www.its.mq.edu.au/~operator/Docs/labs.html. Contact the ITS Helpdesk for further information (http://www.its.mq.edu.au/.)
• Some University departments also have labs available for their students - check with departmental offices for details.

Accessing the web site

Your convenor will provide you with a direct URL for your online unit. You can also access your unit via the myMQ Student Portal (you can find more information about the myMQ Student Portal at http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/general/ithelp/mymq.html), or the 'List of Units' on the Online Teaching Facility site at http://online.mq.edu.au/. At this site you will also find answers to frequently asked questions and help with login problems.

Usernames and Passwords

Usernames

Your Online Teaching Facility username will be one of two types:

• your standard Macquarie Student ID Number (an 8-digit number found on your Campus Card). Open University Australia students will find your Student ID Number in the Confirmation of Enrolment letter included with your Macquarie study package.
• a username created by your convenor. If your convenor has created your username and password you will have to contact them if you do not know what it is or if you have trouble with your password.)

Passwords

Your myMQ Student Portal password.

This will be the original MQID password that was sent to you on enrolment (2 random characters followed by your date of birth in ddmmyy format), unless you have already changed your password in the myMQ Student Portal.

Note that both your username and your password are CaSe SeNsItIvE.

Changing your password

You can change your password for your online WebCT units, e-Reserve and the myMQ Student Portal all in one place at:

The first time you login to myMQ Student Portal, you will be required to change your password. You will then use this new password to access e-Reserve and your WebCT online units as well as the myMQ Student Portal.

Note: Students can no longer change their password using the password tool in WebCT and passwords previously changed within WebCT will no longer work.

When you have finished using the web site you must log out, or exit or quit your browser. To log out of WebCT, click the 'logout' link near the top right of the screen. If you don't log out, or exit or quit your browser, other people can continue to use your account which means they can use your mail, discussions and other course tools.

Using the web site

To use the unit web site you need to:

• know how to use a web browser
• become familiar with the content of the online material and how to move around (navigate) it
• understand the functions of the various tools available to you.

Browser

If you are not already familiar with using a web browser you can get assistance through IT Help and the Information Technology Training Unit.

It is important that you know how to:

• identify and follow links
• scroll windows up and down
• use frames
• change between and close pop-up and new windows
• change colours and fonts
• print pages and frames
• save pages and frames
• turn image loading on and off

WebCT navigation

Once you have reached the web site all you need to do is follow the text and image links. A series of 'breadcrumbs' at the top of the screen will show you the trail of links you have followed, and can be used to return to any page.

Some of the material might be organised in a 'content module'. A content module will include navigation in an 'Action Menu'.

These five buttons have the following functions:

• Contents: This takes you to a contents page for the content module.
• Previous: This takes you to the previous page in the content module. Note that this is not the same as your browser's 'Back' button.
• Next: This takes you to the next page in the content module. Note that this is not the same as your browser's 'Forward' button.
• Retrace: This takes you back to where you last were in the content module. It's a bit like your browser's 'Back' button, but only works within the content module.
• Refresh: If you have used something like a glossary and the content page has disappeared you can get it back by clicking on 'Refresh'.

To log out of WebCT, click the 'logout' link near the top right of the screen.

Netiquette

Information Technology Policies and Guidelines

There are rules governing the use of computer facilities at Macquarie University. Please take the time to read these:

• Information Technology Security Policy & Rules

  http://www.its.mq.edu.au/policies/mqrules.html

• Information Technology Usage Rules

  http://www.its.mq.edu.au/ITSecurity/conditions.html

Note that:

• your individual account is intended for your use only;
• you are given access to the web site for the purpose of studying;
• all material is copyrighted to Macquarie University except where an overriding statement or claim is explicitly made.

Help

Web site content

If you require assistance with using the teaching materials, or understanding the content, you should contact your course convenor or program coordinator or other teaching staff as appropriate.

Login difficulties (username/password problems)

If you can access the Internet but can't log in to your unit, assistance in diagnosing your problem is available on the Online Teaching Facility at http://online.mq.edu.au/, in the 'Help' menu, select 'Identifying Access Problems', and then follow the listed steps.

Note that problems related to your enrolment in the online unit must be referred to your course convenor or other teaching staff as appropriate. Library staff (including IT Help) and the ITS Helpdesk cannot help you with these problems.

Technological assistance

If you require assistance or information about passwords, student email accounts, technical problems associated with using the Internet or instructions for using Library Services via the Internet, contact IT Help:

The ITS Helpdesk also has information on student labs and printing services. The ITS Helpdesk can be contacted at

Email: helpdesk@mq.edu.au

Web: http://www.its.mq.edu.au/web/operations/

Information Technology Training Unit

The Library provides online and face to face sessions for students in the use of Library Services, and IT. For more information contact the Information Technology Training Unit

Confidentiality

The password-protected component of your unit's web site is hosted on the Online Teaching Facility. The facility is run by the Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL). Part of the Centre's role is to assist teachers in identifying the needs of students so that course units and teaching resources can be developed in ways that allow students better access to teaching materials and more effective ways of learning and communicating.

The Online Teaching Facility automatically collects two types of information:

• Server usage information

  The server logs have information on who accesses the site, the location from which the site is accessed, the time and duration of access, and what material is accessed. This information on individuals is available only to CFL specified staff, Deans and Heads of Department, and is used for identifying reported access difficulties, improving server performance and tracing any breaches of security. CFL also uses the information for statistical analysis of access times and locations, and for analysis of other patterns of use. In addition, some summarised information may be available to your convenor, but only after the examination period. In all cases confidentiality is maintained and no information about individuals is released.

  Deans and Heads of Department are responsible for aspects of security relating to IT within their area of responsibility. Some recent events suggest that it is essential to allow them access to the Online Teaching Facility.

• General unit management information

  The software your unit is using tracks information about how you use the teaching material. This information is available to your convenor and includes your first and last log in, how much of the course material you have looked at, how many discussion messages you have posted and read, and whether you have read your mail. It is important to note that your convenor cannot read your personal mail or annotations.

If you have concerns about confidentiality, contact your unit's convenor/ program coordinator or CFL: