Resources: Frequently Asked Questions
Top 10 Questions
1) I cannot login to WebCT due to an "authorization failed" message, what can I do?
You must have a valid username and password to login to WebCT. WebCT usernames and passwords are case sensitive. If your password is incorrect, contact the ISU Help Desk at 282-4585. The Help Desk can re-issue new passwords.
2) My students cannot access materials in my WebCT course, why?
You must update the student view for your students to see the changes. In order to do that click on Control Panel on the homepage of your course and then click on the Update Student View button. If this does not solve the problem, your students may be encountering a caching problem in the browser. Help on preparing your computer and browser for use with WebCT can be found here. They must set the browser's Network preferences to "Verify documents every time". To get further help on setting this option in your browser, please call the Help Desk at (208) 282-4585.
3) How do I add students to my WebCT course?
You can add students to your WebCT course by clicking on Control Panel on the homepage of your course. On the next page, select Manage Course and then click on Manage Students . From the Options: Records drop-down list, select ISU Registered Students and then click Go. Click here for video instructions and printable documentation on adding students to a course.
4) How do I sign up for a workshop? What workshops will be given?
To see a workshop schedule and sign up for a workshop, navigate to the ITRC Calendar. You can also sign up for a workshop by contacting the ITRC. Email itrcstaf@isu.edu or call 282-5880 to set up a time. Remember that "walk-ins" are welcome if space is available.
5) Students cannot see quiz scores, what do I need to do?
WebCT automatically grades all types of questions except for paragraph questions. If there are no paragraph questions in your quiz it is possible for your students to see their score immediately after submitting the quiz. In order for this to happen, students need to click the View Results button after submitting the quiz. If the View Results button is not visible, go to the Quiz Settings screen, select Release the score once the quiz has been submitted from the Student Score Release list and click Yes in the Release Column area. For additional information about grading in WebCT, navigate to the ITRC handout on quizzes.
6) How can I get individual assistance with a project?
The ITRC staff is available for individual consulting during regular business hours. Email itrc@isu.edu or call 282-5880 to request an appointment.
7) How can I request a WebCT course?
Designers are strongly encouraged to participate in the WebCT workshops offered by the ITRC. The workshops provide a way to become skilled with the instructional design processes for preparing and delivering course materials within WebCT. For faculty already familiar with WebCT, please fill out one of our online forms to request a WebCT course.
8) Do students need an ISU computer account to access WebCT?
Students do not need an ISU computer account to access WebCT, as they can do it from any off campus Internet Service Provider that utilizes Netscape and Internet Explorer to access web-based information. The browser versions that work best with WebCT are Netscape 7x, or Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 or 6.0.
9) What types of resources are available for my students using WebCT?
The ITRC has generated several documents for students utilizing WebCT. The documentation is available on the WebCT Student Help page.
10) Where is the ITRC located?
The ITRC is located in Room B69 on the lower level of the Eli M. Oboler Library.
WebCT
Can students change their own passwords?
Yes, students can change their own passwords in WebCT. The Password Settings option is available on the myWebCT page.
How do I add an individual non-registered student to my WebCT Course? How do I add a group of non-registered students?
To add one or more non-registered students to a WebCT course, contact the ITRC at itrcstaf@isu.edu or 282-5880.
I cannot login to WebCT due to a wrong user name and password, what can I do?
You must have a valid username and password to login to WebCT. WebCT usernames and passwords are case sensitive. If your password is incorrect, contact the ISU Help desk at (208) 282-4585. The Help Desk can re-issue new passwords.
How can I request a WebCT course?
Designers are strongly encouraged to participate in the WebCT workshops offered by the ITRC. The workshops provide a way to become skilled with the instructional design processes for preparing and delivering course materials within WebCT. For faculty already familiar with WebCT, please fill out one of our online forms to request a WebCT course.
How can the students get their usernames and passwords?
Students do not need to request WebCT usernames, because by default their username is their Bengal number. A student's password is a four-digit code, including the student's birth month and the last two digits of the student's birth year (e.g. December, 1969 would be 1269). More information is available in the ISU WebCT Student Guide.
What are the system requirements for using WebCT?
The minimum recommended system requirements for use with WebCT can be found here.
My students cannot access materials in my WebCT course, why?
You must update the student view for your students to see the changes. In order to do that click on Control Panel on the homepage of your course and then click on the Update Student View button. If this does not solve the problem, your students may be encountering a caching problem in the browser. Help on preparing your computer and browser for use with WebCT can be found here. They must set the browser's Network preferences to "Verify documents every time". To get further help on setting this option in your browser, please call the Help Desk at (208) 282-4585.
How do I upload more than 1 file at a time to the WebCT server?
Use the zip/unzip feature of WebCT. You can generate a zip archive containing all of the files you wish to upload, and then upload that zip file to the WebCT server. Once the zip file has been uploaded, you can use the unzip function in the WebCT File Manager to extract the files from the zip archive. The zip/unzip feature is compatible with Unix zip, PKZIP, MacZip and WinZip.
What kind of browser is required to access WebCT?
Browser requirements can be found here.
I cannot see all columns in my Manage Students screen?
Your may need to scroll left and right to view all of the columns on your Manage Students screen. If some of them are not visible in the frame, they may be hidden. WebCT allows the designer to hide columns for viewing purposes. To reveal a coulmn, form the Manage Students page, select Manage Columnsfrom the Organize pull-down list. Check the checkbox at the top of the columns you wish to reveal, and in the Hide columns pull down list on the right hand side choose No. Then click Go.
I cannot see all of my students in the Manage Students screen?
When viewing Manage Students, select All from the Page pull-down list.
How do I add another designer to my course?
To add another designer to your course contact the ITRC at itrcstaf@isu.edu or 282-5880.
I have uploaded my HTML page to WebCT, but all the images have a broken path. Why is it not working?
Make sure that the image files are also uploaded into the Manage Files area. Also, make sure that the images are in the same folder that the HTML code looks at to find them.
Students cannot see quiz scores, what do I need to do?
WebCT automatically grades all types of questions except for paragraph questions. If there are no paragraph questions in your quiz it is possible for your students to see their score immediately after submitting the quiz. In order for this to happen, students need to click the View Results button after submitting the quiz. If the View Results button is not visible, go to the Quiz Settings screen, select Release the score once the quiz has been submittedfrom the Student Score Release list and click Yes in the Release Column area. For additional information about grading in WebCT, navigate to the ITRC handout on quizzes.
I use America Online to access the Internet. Is it possible to use WebCT with AOL?
It is possible to use WebCT with AOL but only with AOL 7.0 or higher. Otherwise you should be able to connect to the internet with AOL, but then you will have to minimize the AOL browser, and then open up Netscape or Internet Explorer while AOL is still running. You will be able to do everything that you need to with Netscape or Internet Explorer. Please note that the recommended browser versions for WebCT 4 CE are Netscape 7x, or Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 or 6.0.
Where is the ITRC located?
The ITRC is located in Room B69 on the lower level of the Eli M. Oboler Library.
PowerPoint
What is PowerPoint and can I use it in my WebCT course?
PowerPoint provides a complete set of tools for creating powerful presentations. Organize and format your material easily, illustrate your points with your own images or clip art, and even broadcast your presentations over the Web through WebCT.
How do I use PowerPoint with WebCT?
Using PowerPoint with WebCT involves saving your presentation as HTML and uploading it to WebCT. Click on PowerPoint 2000 Presentation for the Web and WebCT to read detailed instructions for your version of PowerPoint.
Where do I find more information on PowerPoint?
For more details on using PowerPoint, visit the ITRC tutorials page or the "Bit Better" PowerPoint FAQ.
HTML
What is HTML?
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the set of "markup" symbols or codes inserted in a file intended for display on a World Wide Web browser. The markup tells the Web browser how to display a Web page's words and images for the user. The individual markup codes are referred to as elements or tags.
Where do I find more information on HTML?
For more details on using HTML, visit the ITRC web development resource page or HTML Writers Guild FAQ.
Miscellaneous
Who can use the ITRC facility?
Any faculty member and/or individuals assisting a faculty member developing instructional materials.
Who funded this facility?
Partial funding came from the "Bridging the Chasm" Grant (a SBOE grant) and other funding from the Academic Vice President's office (Dr. Jonathan Lawson).
What types of resources are available from this facility?
1) ITRC Production Lab - provides you with the latest in computer
hardware and software technology to produce your instructional material.
2) ITRC Training Lab - offers a wide variety
of workshops to enhance your technical skills.
3) ITRC Web Site - excellent resource for faculty on the run.
It provides convenient online information and solutions regarding instructional
technology.
4) Equipment Checkout - equipment such
as LCD Projectors and Digital Cameras can be checked
out by instructors for educational use.
5) Other Resources - access to all the services of the ISU Media/Distance
Learning Center including Print Media, Distance Learning classrooms and
the Education Access Channel on TCI Cable - Connections Channel 4.
How do I reserve a seat in a workshop? What workshops will be given?
You can stop by the ITRC, email itrcstaf@isu.edu or call 282-5880 to set up a time. Remember that "walk-ins" are welcome if space is available. To sign up or view a workshop schedule, go to the ITRC Calendar.
What are the hours of the ITRC facility?
Our office hours are 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday.
What software and hardware are available for use?
Software: WebCT, Respondus, Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator,
Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint),
Real Producer, Vegas, Dreamweaver, Flash, Freehand and many more instructional applications.
Hardware: Windows Pentium 4 2.6 Ghz computers, Macintosh
G4 computers, color scanners, CD-ROM recorders, color and b&w printers
and drawing tablets.