Learning Support

The course instructor (sometimes called teacher, coordinator or facilitator) is the key person for learning support. The type of support will depend on how the learning material is presented in WebCT.

If there is a lot of interaction (using bulletin boards, presentations, e-mail), then the coordinator will have already made allowances for supporting these features.

If this is your first time using WebCT, then you may require more assistance, and again, your module coordinator will provide this.

Technical Support

A WebCT helpdesk is provided to assist module coordinators with technical difficulties. It is important that connection issues with Internet Service Providers, different types of hardware, and software configurations are dealt with in the appropriate way.

Messages may be left at the WebCT Help Desk Voice Mail anytime, 24-hours a day. During the critical first week of classes, an actual Help Desk representative will be available to answer your question between the hours of 8:00am and 9:00pm.

Message my also be emailed to the WebCT Help Desk. The address is: webct@midlandstech.com. For both Voice Mail and Email queries, you may expect a reply within 24 hours.

Initially, technical support will be provided through course instructors. Be prepared to provide information on:

• computer CPU type and speed
• available RAM
• hard disk storage space
• modem type and speed
• Internet Service Provider
• operating system
• type and version of browser
• type and version of e-mail
• contact phone number

Some of the more common problems that occur are :

• not a 32-bit operating system
• not enough RAM
• not enough hard disk storage space
• incorrect versions of Netscape or Internet Explorer
• incorrect proxy settings
• incorrect cache settings
• incorrect POP mail settings
• slow or faulty ISP connections
• slow or congested TAFE server
• using browser navigation rather than WebCT navigation
• more than one browser open at the same time
• impatience with connection speed

Each course you study may have a different instructor. Your initial login will usually involve an introduction to staff and students in the module. As you study more online modules you may find that your expertise becomes the support for new students.

The main support is your instructor, but if you are still having technical difficulties, you may have to resort to the fax, a phone call or even posting a letter !