Student FAQ

Getting Started

1. What is WebCT?
   WebCT is an internet-based course management tool used at NSAC for distance and campus-based courses, located at http://webct.nsac.ca. It can be accessed by students and staff by use of a standard web browser and internet connection, either on campus or off. WebCT provides a password protected medium where course materials are posted and where students and instructors can communicate and share information. Some instructors use WebCT just to post lectures, while others conduct their entire course in WebCT as a virtual classroom. When you’re in WebCT, if you want more information or help, you can click “Help” in the top right corner for page-specific help files (see the image below for a Mail related example).
   Please note, not all courses at NSAC use WebCT.

2. What are the requirements for running WebCT properly?
   Username and Password:
   To use WebCT, you need to be registered in a course that uses WebCT, and you login with a given username and password (see #3 “How Do I Sign In?).

   Technical Requirements:
   The computers on campus are configured for use in WebCT. If you are using your own machine, it is your responsibility to ensure your system is suited for use with WebCT.
   You need internet access to use WebCT. A high speed connection is strongly preferred, and while dialup internet may be adequate, you may be limited in courses with large files (images, presentations, video, audio, etc.).
   You will need a supported browser* to access WebCT. To check if your browser is supported for use in WebCT, please visit our Browser Check (http://webct.nsac.ca/webct/public/check_browser.pl?back_key=entry_page, see the images below).
   *Note: Many times, unsupported browsers work perfectly fine in WebCT. If you are having problems, switch to a supported browser when using WebCT.

3. How do I sign in?
   Each NSAC student has a unique WebAdvisor username (WebAdvisor allows students to register for courses, check marks, etc.). Your WebAdvisor username is identical to your WebCT username. So, when you login to WebCT, use your WebAdvisor username. If you are not sure what your WebAdvisor username is, please contact the Registry.
   The first time you login to WebCT, the password you will use is your birthdate (ddmmyy). The birthdate password is valid just once, because when you login for the first time, WebCT will ask you to change your password. Your instructor will remind you of the protocol for your WebCT access in class.
   WebCT is case sensitive!
   Please review the login troubleshooting FAQ (#5) if you are having trouble, or contact dehelp@nsac.ca.

4. How do I reset my password?
   Upon your first login, WebCT will force you to change your password. If you wish to change your password again, you can do so on the My WebCT page (the page you see after you login), by clicking the third button from the left near the top that reads “Password settings” (see the images below).

Access Issues

5. Why can’t I login?
   There could be a number of reasons why you aren’t able to login. Please review the table below.

6. I have forgotten my password. What should I do?
   Please contact dehelp@nsac.ca, providing your WebAdvisor username, your full name, student number, and the course(s) you are registered in.

7. Why does WebCT keep sending me back to the Login page after I login?
   If this is happening, it’s likely that cookies are disabled in your web browser. If you’re not sure how to enable cookies in your browser, please see the instructions below (#8).

8. I can login but something is wrong.
   1. Allow Popups – WebCT uses popup windows for Mail, Discussions, Quizzes, and Chat to work properly. To allow popups in IE, please try the following:
      1. Select Tools/Popup Blocker/ Popup blocker settings (presuming the Popup blocker is on)
      2. Type in the http://webct.nsac.ca then Add and then Close.
      3. Shut down the browser and try again.

2. Enable Cookies – For authentication to function properly, cookies must be enabled. To change popup restrictions and to enable cookies in IE, please try the following:
   1. Select Tools/Internet Options.
   2. Select the Privacy tab.
   3. Under the Settings heading, move the slider to Medium for optimal allowance of cookies, and under Popup blockers, you can keep the box checked and by clicking on Settings, type in http://webct.nsac.ca, and then Add, and then Close.
   4. Click Apply, and then OK.
   5. Close IE and reopen it.

3. Check Firewall settings - If you are running Windows and have the XP Service Pack 2 (WinXP SP2) installed, you may need to alter the firewall settings to use WebCT. To learn more about how the SP2 firewall works, please visit this page: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfintro.mspx. In addition, if you have an independent software firewall running, you may need to disable it while you are using WebCT.

Other Common Problems

9. What is Spyware or Adware and how can it affect my computer?
   Spyware, or Adware, is software of varying degrees of maliciousness that is installed on your machine, most often without your knowledge. Spyware is frequently bundled with media downloads, from file-sharing sites, or as browser add-ons, or they can even be installed just by visiting certain websites. Spyware gathers information about the surfing habits of whomever may be using your computer, and this collection of data takes place without your knowledge. Some of the more critical types of spyware can log passwords, while others may slow your internet speed, cause excessive popups, or redirect you to other sites. Spyware can also alter WebCT’s performance.
   There are several tools available for detecting and removing spyware, please visit out Downloads page for more information.

10. Why am I being redirected to a search engine (when attempting to access WebCT)?
    Redirected to a search engine or getting a “forbidden” error while trying to login to WebCT are signs that your computer has spyware installed on it. You are advised to run a spyware removal utility if you have one, and if you do not, you can download one for free on our Downloads page.

11. I’m getting a “You are using an unsupported browser” error. Why?
    To make sure you are using a browser that is supported and validated for use with WebCT, please run the Browser Check. The Browser Check and subsequently the Browser Tune-up will walk you through the necessary steps for accessing WebCT successfully.

12. Why am I getting a “WebCT requires Javascript to be enabled” message?
    Javascript must be enabled on your machine to access WebCT’s interactive features properly. Most up to date web browsers are capable of running Java applets, some being better than others and some being incapable of running Java at all. You may need to upgrade your browser if it cannot run Java, but most likely, you will just have to enable Java in your existing browser. Because of the wide range in web browsers, it is best that you visit the Check Browser page to determine if your browser is java enabled, and if it is not, how to enable it. Alternatively, if you want to download the latest version of Java you can visit our Downloads page.

13. The messages in the Discussions (or Mail) section have all disappeared!
    The discussion board and mail in WebCT are set by default to show only the unread messages. To view all message, just click on Display: All (see images below).

14. Why do I get an access expired message?
    As a security precaution, WebCT is set up to log users out after one (1) hour of inactivity. If you get this error you will have to login again to access your course.

15. How do I upload files to Student Presentations (or Student Homepages)?
    Firstly, to clarify, Student Presentations is more appropriately “Websites prepared by Students outside of WebCT and uploaded to WebCT”, and Student Homepages is a place right in WebCT where students can include links to their favourite websites, change the colour of the page, add a background image, and a hit counter.
    Before uploading a Student Presentation, you must organize your files in such a way that your first file (or “home” page) is named “index.htm” (or “index.html”). This index page will contain links to all the pages in your website or presentation. You can link to other htm pages, Word Documents, or PowerPoint presentations. Each and every page and image/photo/graphic must be uploaded along with your index.htm file. To upload your files, follow the instructions below:
    1. Click on the Student Presentations link.
    2. On the screen, you should see your group in a table. Each student, or group of students, will be assigned a group by your instructor. Click on Edit Files, in bold.
    3. This will bring you to the Manage Files screen. To the right, you will see a list of buttons, under Options: Files, click Upload.
    4. On the Upload File screen, click on Browse to find the file on your computer.
    5. Click Upload.
    6. For a group of files, it’s easiest to zip the group of files and upload the one zip (or stuffit) file, and then unzip it in Manage Files. To unzip your file, click in the box beside your zip file, and then click Unzip on the right side under Options: Files. The file should, by default, unzip to your main Group folder.

16. I can’t download a Word, PowerPoint, or PDF document - WebCT kicks me out when I try to download a file.
    If you are using Internet Explorer and are experiencing trouble downloading files in your WebCT course (on a Windows XP operating system), you will need to change your security settings to enable file downloading. To disable the information bar for file downloads, follow the steps below:
    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools and then select Internet Options.
    2. Click the Security tab, ensuring that the Internet zone is selected (see image below), and then click Custom Level.
    3. In the “Downloads” section of the list, under “Automatic prompting for file downloads”, click Enable.
    4. Click OK. You’ll have to close and reopen IE for the changes to take effect.

17. Who do I contact for technical help?
    Please contact the dehelp@nsac.ca.