Online Orientation

James C Helm

What is a web-based course?

A web-based course varies depending upon course, instructor, and university. It provides an opportunity for a student to learn without attending class on a periodic basis. Web-based tools and tutorials are included in the process to enhance the learning process.

Success in a web-based course assumes you possess certain traits. Review these traits to see if they apply to you.

  • Can you work independently?
  • Are you generally self-motivated?
  • Do you have good time management skills?
  • Do you need convenience and an adjustable schedule?
  • Are you comfortable asking for clarification and continuing to ask when you need more information?
  • Are you comfortable working at a computer? (When using new technologies, you know how to check help screens and manuals, and ask questions.)
  • Do you have good study skills?
  • Do you have experience surfing the World Wide Web?
  • If most of your experience is through a provider such as America Online (AOL), are you comfortable installing and using another web browser?
  • Would you be comfortable emailing your instructor if you had problems with anything in the course?

A web-based class is not suited for everyone. Therefore, I will be conducting regular class as stated on my syllabus (and in the course schedule). Typically, I review the weekly material as stated in the online syllabus. You are more than welcome to attend, but attendance is not required. There are only 2 classes you must attend: the midterm and the final exam.

What is webCT?

WebCT is a Web-based application that aids us in the creation of online courses. The tools and features such as built-in discussion boards and chat rooms allow us to simulate discussions similar to traditional face-to-face classrooms. Other utilities like a built-in grade book help track student performance. WebCT also integrates the process of uploading files, allowing for easy addition of content and other materials.

Most of our courses are published in WebCT. The nuts and bolts of WebCT is the server application that allows our university to technically administer courses. ITC future plans include additional faculty support for WebCT.

How are students registered into WebCT's student roster?

UCT (UHCL’s administrative computer staff) has created an automated process for creating student accounts in WebCT and for generating MyWebCT pages for students. All courses flagged as Web-based or WebCT courses are noted in the PeopleSoft registration database. The students are extracted and given a username and password to access Web courses. If a student has any problems with their username and/or password please direct them to call the UHCL Help Desk at 281-283-2828.

What happens to students and instructors MyWebCT pages from previous semesters?

Student MyWebCT accounts will be purged each semester. Instructor's accounts will remain as is. However, all discussions postings, e-mail and chat logs will be completely erased. A good analogy would be to realize the "chalkboard" is erased, cleaned, and polished at the end of every semester.

How will students be informed of their userids and passwords?

Instructors, with the help of suite secretaries, will provide this information during orientation that includes directions for access to the course. Students should be told to use their NT account for their userid and p+ssn for their password.

Students who register late should be sent a copy of the welcome letter along with any additional pieces of relevant information.

What should we do if a student cannot log in?

Students can take advantage of one of the following support resources.

  1. Initially, students will be redirected to a support page,
  2. If this support page does not help resolve their problem, they need to contact the WebCT Administrator.

The student may also wish to contact the UHCL Help Desk at 281-283-2828.

Logging On To WebCT

  1. Enter in your browser's location bar.

  2. You should get a screen like this:
  1. Click on the “Log on to MyWebCT” link.
  1. You'll see a dialog box asking for your User Name and Password. It looks like this:


If you don't know your userName!

These ids do not typically change between semesters.

You can try your previous id and password. If you do not know or remember your NT login id, go to the Student Support Site and click the link "UHCL User ID Lookup" tool.

Here is what is displayed at that site:

Step 1: Enter your Social Security Number (SSN) or Last Name, then click Submit.

Step 2: Click your name on the list of names that is displayed.

If your name isn't listed, contact the UHCL Help Desk M-F: 8am - 5pm. The UHCL Help Desk: 281-283-2828 - for NT id setup and password resets.

Step 3: Find the User ID listed as “PCLAB”.

Determine your NT Password.

NT passwords fit one of the following rules. Try all three before giving up.

  • If you used your NT id in the past and changed your password, it will be the password you last used. If you cannot remember your changed password, contact the UHCL Help Desk (281-283-2828) to have your NT password reset.
  • If you entered UHCL in Spring 2002 or later your initial password has been set to:

p + student id (e.g., p0001234)

The student id is a 7-digit number on the back of your new student id card and the upper left corner of your registration receipt.

  • If you entered UHCL prior to Spring 2002 your initial password has been set to:

p + social security number (i.e. p123451234)

  1. Enter your information and click on the "OK" button.

  1. Your screen should look something like this:


If you get a “Page cannot be displayed” error message, your login probably worked. Just click the Refresh button (on the Internet Explorer menu bar) several times until you are presented with the My WebCT screen.

  1. Click on the WebCt class that you are enrolled in.

Please note it can take up to 48 hours after the student registers for the course for them to be listed on the WebCT course roster. If a student does not appear on a roster and isn't added through the automatic process, the instructors can add them provided it is after the late registration period. Students should not be added manually into courses until after this date. Instructors are still able to change student passwords, etc. Please contact the WebCT Administrator concerning this process if you have any questions.

Do you have the right equipment?

NOTE: We regret to say that we no longer offer support for Macintosh computers. The following specifications for Mac computers are merely suggestions, and may not always produce useable or viewable results. We recommend using a PC to connect to your courses if you have problems viewing them with a Macintosh. There is a lab in Delta building equipped with PC's that conform to the standards available for your use.

Hardware / Windows / Macintosh
CPU / Pentium processor / 68030 (PowerPC recommended)
RAM / 16 MB (20 or more recommended) / 16 MB (20 or more recommended)
Monitor / 15 inch (800 x 600 screen res.) / 15 inch (800 x 600 screen res.)
Hard drive / 50 MB of free space (70 or higher recommended) / 50 MB of free space (70 or higher recommended)
Input Devices / Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers / Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers
Network / 28.8 baud modem (56k or higher recommended) / 28.8 baud modem (56k or higher recommended)
No firewall restricting your access to ports in the 4000 range if your course uses WebCT's chat or whiteboard tools.
Software / Windows / Macintosh
Operating Systems / Windows 95, 98 or NT / System 7.6 or higher
Browser / Netscape 6.01 or 6.1 (NOT 6.0) | Download
/ Netscape 4.0 or higher | Download
Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 | Download
/ Internet Explorer 4.5 or higher | Download
Caution: WebCT is not compatible with Netscape 6.0, AOL's browser, WebTV, and some versions of Internet Explorer. For best results, use Netscape 6.1 or Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2.
Audio/Video Player / RealPlayer for Windows | Download
QuickTime 3.0 or higher | Download / RealPlayer for Mac | Download
QuickTime 3.0 or higher | Download
PDF Plug-In / Adobe Acrobat Reader | Download
Virus Protection / You should have a virus protection program with the most recent update installed and running on your PC to protect yourself and others from harmful computer viruses.
Compressing Tools / WinZip for Windows | Download / A web search on file compression tools for the Mac will offer various options.
Productivity Tools / Word Processor and Office Productivity Software such as Microsoft Office. Many instructors will only accept Microsoft Office or plain-text formatted assignments. / Word Processor and Graphics Software

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that they have the necessary computer resources and skills to take these classes. Students are not required to purchase their own computer, but must have access to one that meets the specifications. The computer must be able to connect to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider and allow the student to browse the World Wide Web. The Internet connection must not be impeded by a firewall. Many school districts, medical facilities, and corporations use firewalls to restrict their students and employees from accessing inappropriate material or engaging in inappropriate activities. Firewalls will restrict the use of important online instructional tools, like Chat or posting to Bulletin Boards, and can completely prevent you from logging into your course. Check with your ISP to insure that a firewall won't cause you problems.