WebCT 4: Student Getting Started Instructions

1. Acquire your CSUN ID and Password

You must have a CSUN email account to access WebCT 4. Go the the CSUN Account Utility Page at: https://www.csun.edu/account/ to get your CSUN email ID and password. If you have problems with this, call the ITR HelpDesk at 818-677-1400.

2. Browser

Determine Browser Version:

* Open your browser (such as Netscape or Internet Explorer).
* From the browser menu bar, select Help
* Select About. If there are several, choose the one about your browser. A screen will appear that shows your browser name and version.

You should download and use one of the following validated browsers at http://www.csun.edu/~webteach/WebCTHelp.html:

For Windows:

Validated Browsers

Unsupported Browsers

Microsoft IE 5.0, 5.5, 6.0

4.0 and 5.5 SP1

Netscape 6.2.x and 7.0

4.7x to 4.8, 6.0 and 6.1

AOL 7.0 and 8.0

3.0 and earlier


For Macs:

Validated Browsers

Unsupported Browsers

Microsoft IE 5.1 (OS 9.x and OS X.1) and 5.2 (OS X.2)

4.0 and 5.5 SP1

Netscape 6.2.x and 7.0

4.7x to 4.8 and 6.1

AOL OS X

3.0 and earlier

 

You can check your browser by logging into WebCT. On the myWebCT page, click Check Browser in the upper right hand corner.

If your browser is not validated, click on the Browser Tuneup Page, for more information.

3. Optimizing your Browser

You may need to perform the following adjustments to optimize your browser for use with WebCT if you have problems.

A. Enable Java

You will need to have Java installed in order for certain areas of WebCT to function properly. You will need to perform the following adjustments:

IE 5.0 and higher (Mac)
  1. Select Edit then choose Preferences
  2. Select the WebBrowser arrow.
  3. Click on Java.
  4. Make sure the Enable Java box is checked
  5. Click OK

IE 5.0 and higher (PC)
  1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options
  2. Select the Security tab
  3. Click the Custom Level button
  4. Scroll down to Java Permissions and choose either Low, Medium or High safety
  5. Click OK

Netscape 7 (Mac & PC)
  1. Select Edit then choose Preferences
  2. Select Advanced from the left-hand pane
  3. Make sure the Enable Java box is checked
  4. Click OK

 

Internet Explorer Preferences

Netscape Preferences

 

B. Enable Cookies
You must enable cookies in order to log in to WebCT.

IE 5.x
  1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options
  2. Select the Security tab
  3. Click the Custom Level button
  4. Scroll down to the Cookies section
  5. Set Allow cookies that are stored on your computer to Enable
  6. Set Allow per-session cookies to Enable
  7. Click OK

IE 6.x
  1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options
  2. Select the Privacy tab
  3. Enable Cookies:
    • If using a default setting, move the slider to select any of the following privacy settings:
      • Medium High
      • Medium
      • Low
      • Accept all cookies
    • If using a custom setting:
      • Click the Advanced button
      • Select Override automatic cookie handling
      • Select Always allow session cookies
      • Click OK to return to the Privacy Tab
  4. Click Apply then OK

Netscape 7
  1. Select Edit then choose Preferences
  2. Click on the arrow next to Privacy & Security in the left-hand pane and then select Cookies
  3. Select Enable cookies for the originating website only or Enable all cookies
  4. Click OK

C. Disable Pop-Up Killers
These applications work in the background while you browse the internet. When they detect a pop-up window that may be an unwanted advertisement, they automatically close the window. Unfortunately, they also inhibit WebCT from performing properly. If you are unable to view Discussion postings, Quiz windows, and download links, then search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name and disable it.

Note: Norton Internet Security 2003 has an automatic ad-blocking setting that must be disabled for WebCT to perform properly. Please disable this function within Norton.

Some popular pop-up killers include:

·         Pop-Up Stopper

·         Pop-Up Defender

·         Pop-Up Zapper

4. WebCT Location for Login

The URL address for CSUN's version of WebCT is: http://webteach.csun.edu

This must be copied exactly into the Location or Address box of Netscape or Explorer. WebCT will appear. Fill out the login and password with your CSUN email ID and password.

The MyWebCT page will appear. This is a personal organizing page that has a linked list of any courses you are registered for, whether you are student or faculty. Administrative announcements can be read. Click on one of your course titles on the left side of the page to enter it.

 

 

5. Navigation from the Homepage

You are now at the homepage for this course and in the student mode. This page is primarily for navigation. When moving through course pages, do not use your browser's back button, but only WebCT's internal links.

Possible Navigation Methods:

1.      White Topbar --MYWEBCT | RESUME COURSE | COURSE MAP |CHECK BROWSER|LOG OUT|HELP. These are links. You may want to return to the MyWebCT page if you need to go to another course or you may want to access Help. Course Map will show you the entire course contents.

2.      Breadcrumbs Bar --The horizontal words under the title of the course. It only says "Homepage" at the moment since that is where you are, but additional links will appear and will track each page you go to so you can return easily to any former page or home.

3.      Icons -- The middle of the page holds links to the course tools. Use these links to get to your Discussion topics, Course Content, and Assignments.

4.      Course Menu -- Additional links to the course tools and content. Click on the green arrow beside Course Menu to hide the links which are a duplicate of the icon links on the homepage. This will give you more horizontal space for your pages.