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WebCT Development FAQ

- Answers to common questions about starting a new online course -

Future courses are now being created on a separate server: webctdev.washburn.edu. This server is not integrated with MyWashburn. Because of this new setup, several faculty members have had questions about WebCT, Respondus, account settings, procedures, login information, and other miscellaneous items. This document should clear up many of the commonly asked questions in regard to the procedures, setup, and other items relating to future semesters.

1. How do I begin setting up a course for an upcoming semester?
The first step in obtaining a course is to request course space. This is accomplished by completing an online form. There are two types of forms. They are:

WebCT Existing Course Restore Request
WebCT New Course Development Request

Use the Existing Course Restore form to restore a course that was offered in a previous semester.
Use the New Course Development form to create an empty course. These are typically courses that undergo a complete redesign or brand new courses being offered online for the first time.
Online forms can be found at www.washburn.edu/iss/webct/

2. How do I get to my development course?
Courses in development reside on the WebCT development server, WebCTDev. To access WebCTDev, point your web browser to http://webctdev.washburn.edu

3. What is my username and password for webctdev.washburn.edu?
Your login information for WebCTDev consists of your MyWashburn username (typically firstname.lastname) and initial password.

4. What is the initial password or initial pin?
The initial password is the password that is assigned to every member who has access to MyWashburn. The initial password consists of six digits. The initial password is only used for first time access to MyWashburn or after a password has been reset. After logging into MyWashburn, a new password is entered to replace the initial password.

5. How do I obtain my initial password?
The initial password can be obtained from the MyWashburn homepage (http://my.washburn.edu). Follow the link to “Retrieve Account Information.” You will need your WIN and last four digits of your Social Security Number.

6. What is a WIN?
WIN stands for Washburn Identification Number. Each person at Washburn University has his/her own unique WIN.

7. How do I obtain a WIN?
Faculty members can obtain their WIN through the VPAA office. Faculty members who do not already have an iCard may obtain one at the Ichabod Service Center . The iCard has the WIN printed on it for future reference. The iCard also serves as official identification at Washburn.

8. Can I change my password for WebCTDev?
No. Only the initial password can be used for access to WebCTDev.

9. Can my courses in development be put in MyWashburn with my other courses?
No. Because of the integration with Banner, courses that are not currently active must be located on a separate server outside of the Connected Learning Solution. Every course in development must be accessed from WebCTDev.

10. How do I change from one online course to another on WebCTDev?
Once inside a course on WebCTDev, instructors can click the MyWebCT link in the upper right corner of the page. This will list all courses in development that the instructor has requested.

11. I want to modify a course that isn’t online, but one that uses MyWashburn Course Tools. How do I do that?
The MyWashburn Course Tools are geared toward adding a small online experience to regular on-campus courses. There is not a way to “develop” Course Tools for future semesters, as the Course Tools only exist in MyWashburn which is in production and not development. If interested, instructors can request a WebCT-assisted course for future development and use WebCT as an added component to on campus courses.

12. I want to use Respondus. How do I download the software?
Instructors using an NT server on campus do not need to install the software. It is already installed on the NT servers. Look in the Programs section of the Start menu for Respondus.
Online instructors who want to use Respondus on a personal computer can download it from the Faculty Resource Guide. The Faculty Resource Guide can be found on the WebCTDev homepage at http://webctdev.washburn.edu The server settings for Respondus can also be found in the Faculty Resource Guide.

13. Respondus is asking me for an activation code. What is that?
The Respondus software requires that an access code be entered for the site wide license. To obtain the access code, contact webtech@washburn.edu

14. What are the server settings for Respondus?
The server settings for Respondus can be found in the Faculty Resource Guide.

15. After selecting a course in Respondus I get a window with “Note: no existing question Categories were detected. If your question database does have categories defined, you should probably go back to step 1, select the server again, and set the Version manually.” What does this mean?
It is simply stating that the Question Database is empty. This is okay. Click the “OK” button to continue past this message.

16. What is the Faculty Resource Guide?
The Faculty Resource Guide exists to provide Washburn faculty members with a “one stop shop” for everything related to online education at Washburn. It includes:

Training information.
Learn WebCT: A guide to learning WebCT – hand crafted just for WU.
Help Files: Step-by-step instructions tailored for WU on many tools.
Easy printing of help documents.
Respondus download links and formatting instructions.

The WebTechs are always adding new information to the Faculty Resource Guide. Please suggest ideas by e-mailing webtech@washburn.edu

17. After entering the Faculty Resource Guide, I can’t login to WebCTDev. What’s wrong?
Because the Faculty Resource Guide uses a guest account to login automatically, the guest login information is retained unless the web browser is restarted. Faculty members who need to work on their courses and are viewing the Faculty Resource Guide are encouraged to print out what resources are needed. Next, restart the browser. This will erase the previous login information and allow instructors to login with their information.

18. Where is the student orientation?
The student orientation comes in two forms. One version is on campus. On campus student orientations are offered approximately one week before courses begin. Registration for on campus student orientations is at www.washburn.edu/iss/seminars/webct_orientation.html
The second version is completely online, much like the Faculty Resource Guide. The online student orientation is easily accessible from the Online Education homepage: www.washburn.edu/online-education or on the MyCourses page of MyWashburn. The student orientation uses a guest account, so there is no need for login information.

19. I want to make sure my students view the student orientation. How do I do that?
The easiest way to determine whether or not students viewed most of the material in the orientation is to offer a quiz over key facts from the orientation. The WebTechs have a quiz that can be uploaded into your online course. Contact webtech@washburn.edu for more information.

20. Where can I find information about WebCT training?
All of our training sessions, as well as information for those who can not attend an on-campus training session can be found at www.washburn.edu/iss/seminars/webct.html Training is typically offered at the beginning of each month.

Contact Information

WebCT Development FAQ

Getting Started

General Questions

Respondus Information

Training and Learning Resources