Getting Started with WebCT

What is WebCT?

What do I need?

How do I get an account?

How do I log in to WebCT?

The myWebCT page

The myWebCT page also includes important info:

How do I log out of WebCT?

Need Help?

What is WebCT?

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WebCT means Web Course Tools. It a popular web-based course management program which provides a course with a web site plus communication and class management tools. WebCT is different than just having a web site because it is password-protected and only accessible to the professor, registered students and TAs for a class.

What do I need?

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All you need to use WebCT is access to a web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Communicator (version 4.7x or higher but not version 6.x) or Internet Explorer (version 5.0 or higher but not IE 5.5 with SP1.) In your browser, you will also need to enable Java and set the cache to always reload a page.
Netscape for the Mac and PC are available to download from: http://www.cns.yorku.ca/software/download/ To find out the version of your browser: run the program such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. From the Help menu, select About Navigator or Communicator or About Internet Explorer.

Netscape Navigator:

1. Select the Edit menu and then choose Preferences and Advanced.

2. Make sure the Enable Java and Enable JavaScript boxes are checked.

3. Click the + sign next to Advanced to see more options.

4. Select Cache.

5. Select the Every Time radio button at the bottom.

6. Click OK.

Internet Explorer:

1. Select the Tools menu and then choose Internet Options.

2. Select the Advanced tab.

3. Locate Java VM (or Microsoft VM) in the list.

4. Make sure the Java console enabled and Java logging enabled boxes are checked.

5. Select the General tab.

6. Select the Settings button from Temporary Internet Files.

7. Select the Every Visit to the Page radio button.

8. Click OK

9. Click Apply.

10. Restart your computer if you checked the Java console enabled box.

AOL Connections:

WebCT recommends the following for AOL users:

1. If you use America Online (AOL) for Web access, you will need the AOL version 4.0 or higher client and the Internet Explorer 5.0 browser. Do not use earlier versions of the AOL client with earlier versions of Internet Explorer, as you will have difficulty accessing many of WebCT features.

2. For best results with AOL:

Connect to the Internet using AOL version 4.0 or higher.

Open a private chat within AOL (this allows the AOL client to remain open, without asking if you wish to disconnect while minimized.)

3. Minimize AOL.

4. Launch a recommended browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer.

How do I get an account?

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You must use the MAYA computer account management system to activate your WebCT account. You can access MAYA from the website: http://apps.yorku.ca
After you log into MAYA, choose Activate New Account, then choose WebCT and follow the instructions to select your WebCT password.
You can also change your WebCT password within MAYA.
Your WebCT username is your regular username from MAYA such as yu123456 or jzsmith.
Your WebCT account will be active in approx. 30 mins.
To exit from MAYA, click the Logout button.

How do I log in to WebCT?

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Connect to this web site: http://apps.yorku.ca and choose WebCT.
Click on the Log on to myWebCT link, and enter your username and the password that you created in MAYA. Your username must always be typed in lower case.
This will take you to the myWebCT page where your courses are listed.
Course enrollments are updated every 30 mins. After your WebCT account is active, you might need to wait a short time, approx. 30 mins, in order to see your course listing. You will then see your myWebCT page.
If you have registered for the course after it has begun, you might need to wait up to 24 hours before you see the course listed on your myWebCT page.
On campus, you can access WebCT in the Steacie computer labs as well as in the Library bearpit.

The myWebCT page

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Under Courses, simply click on the title of your course to go to your Course Home Page.

The myWebCT page also includes important info:

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Announcements: WebCT server outages will be announced in advance in this section.
Institutional bookmarks includes links to useful York web sites.
Personal bookmarks allows you to link to your favourite web sites.
You can look at new calendar items, new mail, new discussion postings, new grades, new quizzes or new assignments. Click on the links such as:
"There are new calendar postings" or "There are new grades available"
Once you have finished checking these new updates, click on Home at the top of your course to go back to your course homepage.

How do I log out of WebCT?

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To log out of WebCT, you must exit the browser. If you are running multiple copies of your Internet Explorer or Netscape program, you must exit from all of the open windows.
In Netscape, from the File menu, select EXIT. Reply YES to the message asking to close all windows and exit Netscape.
In Internet Explorer, from the File menu, select Close. You need to repeat this step for all open Internet Explorer windows.
This is especially important if you are working in a lab or at a publicly accessible computer. Otherwise, the next person using the computer will be able to access your account and course information.

Need Help?

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Inside WebCT, you can get help by clicking on the HELP link at the top of every window.
The WebCT Student Resource Centre also provides numerous resources on the web at: http://webct.com/oriented
If you need additional help with WebCT, please feel free to send email to:
WEBCT-L@YORKU.CA or call CNS Client Services at (416) 736-5800 (from off-campus) or x55800 (from on-campus.) You may also obtain assistance in person from the HELPDESK in T128, Steacie Science Building.
CNS Client Support Services (the HELPDESK) can also assist you with MAYA or WebCT password problems.