If you have any problems with the software on this CD, either installing or using, you should contact the UF Computing Help Desk at (352) 392-HELP (4357).
UF Computing Help Desk
The UF Computing Help Desk provides a single point of contact for faculty, staff, and students to get computing help directly and/or routing of their issue to the appropriate campus support staff for further assistance. Help Desk staff offer phone, email, walk-in, laptop/PDA computer account services and technical consulting. Topics include GatorLink and other account services, UF Directory, email configuration and setup, campus network connectivity and Internet topics, myUFL and other web service access, mainframe and administrative applications, on-line course and student services, virus and spyware removal, UNIX services, and general computing issues. The Help Desk web site is http://helpdesk.ufl.edu.
GatorLink Assistance:
GatorLink is a individual's computer identity at the University of Florida. GatorLink offers access to a variety of campus computing services (at no cost) including email, a monthly dialup quota and web space. Many campus services require a GatorLink signon, including ISIS, WebCT, computer lab and network connections, print services, online training and the download of university-licensed software. You can visit the Gatorlink web site using the GatorLink Assistance link in the menu.
UF Labs and Classrooms:
CIRCA provides seven computer classrooms and supporting computer lab work areas in five separate facilities for the use of all University of Florida students, faculty, and staff. All seven classrooms are available for reservation by instructors of UF courses. In order to use CIRCA facilities, you must have a valid Gatorlink Account. For information about the CIRCA Public labs such as location, hours of operation and hardware and sofware availablity, use the Labs and Classrooms link in the menu.
Using WebCT for UF Courses
Many UF courses use WebCT as part of their class. WebCT can be used simply as a place to post course documents (e.g. syllabus and readings) or as an online site for extensive interaction (bulletin boards, chat rooms, online quizzes and tests, etc.). How much WebCT is used in a course is entirely up to the instructor. The web site for WebCT can be accessed using thlink to the left.
If your instructor informs you that you will be using WebCT, you must have the following:
Depending on your professor’s preferences, you may also need various browser plug-ins such as:
Many of these plug-ins are found on this UF Software CD. Others can be found at the LSS WebCT Resources site: http://lss.at.ufl.edu/webct/resources.html. Your instructor may also require additional software for assignments that are uploaded into WebCT.
Browser Settings: To use WebCT, your web browser must be configured to accept cookies, Javascript, and Java applets. These are all enabled by default; so these settings should not be an issue unless you have changed the settings in your browser. Be careful in Internet Explorer not to set your security higher than Medium unless you know how to customize your settings to allow access to WebCT.
Pop-Up Blockers: As pop-up advertising has become more common, more and more people are using pop-up blockers on their computers. However, WebCT uses a number of pop-up windows for tools such as quizzes, and your instructor may configure course content pages to open in new windows. These will all be blocked by nearly all pop-up blockers. If you use pop-up blocking software, you will need to either learn how to disable the software while working inside a WebCT course or learn how to configure the software to allow pop-up windows when in WebCT.
Support: If you find yourself needing assistance with WebCT, there are a number of available resources. First, at the top of every page inside WebCT, there is a Help link. This link is contextual, meaning that it will provide information first about where ever you are currently located. Thus, if you are trying to take a quiz, clicking the Help link from inside the Quiz tool will first bring up information about taking quizzes. Second, you can find a growing collection of tutorials prepared by learning Support Systems at http://lss.at.ufl.edu/lss_resources.html. Third, a detailed set of online help files are available outside of WebCT from the “Online Student Help Files” link located at http://lss.at.ufl.edu/webct/resources.html. Finally, the consultants at the UF Computing HelpDesk can also provide assistance [352.392.4357, http://helpdesk@ufl.edu, helpdesk@ufl.edu].