The basics
about accessing & using your WebCT course

updated 09.09.02
Before we begin: Are you an AOL user? If so, you won’t be able to access this course with the default browser. You should connect to AOL as usual, minimize or hide AOL, then run Netscape Navigator or Communicator 4.x or Internet Explorer 5 or higher. Do you use Netscape 6.x? If so, you won’t be able to access this course with your browser. You will need to run Netscape Navigator or Communicator 4.x or Internet Explorer 5 or higher. Cable or DSL access? You may need to disable your software firewall or scripting blocks. If you need help with any of this, contact the HelpDesk!

Get ready
1. Access a computer with internet access & a supported web browser (read the caveats above). If you rarely or never use the campus computers, you may need to contact a lab assistant or the HelpDesk to obtain a login and password (this will be a different password than you will use to log into your course). If you're logging in at home, that's fine, too. Once you're online, you're ready to....
 
Log into your course
1. Go to http://courses.csusm.edu/ and choose the "Do you already know you're in a WebCT course?" link at the top or scroll down to find your course.
2. Use your CSUSM Network ID to login; use the last 4 digits of your Student ID (SSN) as your password (unless you have taken a previous WebCT course and have changed it). This password, unless you change it, will always be different than the password you use to check email or to log into the network.
3. If you are taking more than one WebCT course, you will see more than one course listed here. Select the title of the course you want to access after changing your password the first time you log on!
 
Helpful hints
1. Don’t use your browser’s Back button while in WebCT! Use the breadcrumbs or the Course Menu items instead.
2.

If you don’t see your message in the Discussion Board after posting it, try

  • choosing the ‘Update Listing’ button;
  • choosing the ‘Show All’ option; or
  • expanding the thread by selecting the blue triangle next to the subject.
3. In Course Mail, if an item is in your Outbox, you know that the other person has received it (though you don’t know if it was read).
4. Always choose the date on the Calendar to see details about that entry! Always! Otherwise, you might miss important information or other entries for that date.
5. Trying to print? Make sure you first click in the "frame" for the thing you want to print, and then choose print (if you're unsure, choose "Print preview" first).
6. There is no "logout" function! You must quit the browser (not just close the window) to securely log out of WebCT.

didn’t work? still confused? contact the HelpDesk! 760.750.4784
or http://www.csusm.edu/helpdesk/onlinehelpform.html
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. || Friday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. || Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. || Sunday: 1 a.m.-9 p.m.