GSLIS Technology Orientation Requirement (TOR)
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GSLIS Technology Orientation Requirement (TOR) User Name: Password: What is the Technology Orientation Requirement (TOR)? The TOR is your introduction to the technology you will use in this program. The TOR section in WebCT Vista contains background information and required activities. You will complete online quizzes that correspond to what you read on the site. To begin the TOR go to http://learning.simmons.edu/ Login using your user name and password. Make sure that Java is enabled and Pop-ups are allowed. If you need help with this, please contact the Tech Lab at [email protected]. When are the TOR online activities due? • Part 1 is due by Wednesday March 1st at noon. • Part 2 is due by Wednesday April 12th at noon. Remember: If you fail to complete these requirements by the due dates, your registration will be blocked for the next semester. What if I need help? You are allowed five attempts at each of the quizzes in Part 1. If you are having difficulty, please email ([email protected]), call (617.521.2802), or stop by the lab (P213) for assistance. Workshops will be held to cover material in TOR Part 2 TOR Part 2: Workshop Schedule You can sign up for these workshops online at the Pottruck Technology Resource Center (PTRC) http://ptrc.simmons.edu/ Select the register link and GSLIS TOR Workshop on the date of your choice. All workshops will be held in the GSLIS Technology Lab, Room P213. • February 28 at 6 pm - 7:30 pm • April 1 at 1 pm - 2:30 pm • April 4 at 1 pm - 2:30 pm • April 4 at 6 pm - 7:30 pm • April 5 at 1 pm - 2:30 pm • April 5 at 6 pm - 7:30 pm Visit the GSLIS Tech Lab! The GSLIS Tech Lab (Palace Road Building, Room 213) is here to provide equipment and technology support to students, alumni, faculty, and staff as well as augment the GSLIS curriculum. The Tech Lab aims to provide the student body with the highest level of technology available in the field of Library and Information Science. The GSLIS Lab, services, resources, and equipment are reserved for the exclusive use of GSLIS students, faculty, staff and alumni. The lab has a wide variety of state-of-the-art equipment available for student use. • 44 PC workstations with the Microsoft XP operating system, zip, floppy, and CD-ROM drives • 5 G5 iMac workstations • 6 scanners with document feeders, 2 large format scanners, and 1 slide scanner • CD/DVD players/burners on all computers • Headphones and various music CDs are available for use in the lab • Keyboard and mouse wrist guards are available for use in the lab, several stations are equipped with adjustable keyboard trays • All workstations have direct ethernet connections into the College’s network GSLIS Tech Lab Workshops Throughout the term The GSLIS Tech Lab will be offering workshops in HTML and Web Page Building. These workshops are designed to assist students with Part 2 of the Technology Orientation Requirement and are open to all interested GSLIS students. TOR Part 2 HTML - Workshop Schedule • February 28 at 6 pm - 7:30 pm • April 1 at 1 pm - 2:30 pm • April 4 at 1 pm - 2:30 pm and 6 pm - 7:30 pm • April 5 at 1 pm - 2:30 pm and 6 pm - 7:30 pm You can sign up for workshops online at the Pottruck Technology Resource Center (PTRC) http://my.simmons.edu/services/technology/ptrc/online-services.shtml Select the register link and GSLIS TOR Workshop on the date of your choice. All workshops will be held in the GSLIS Technology Lab, Room P213. Keep your eyes open and watch your GSLIS e-mail for additional GSLIS Tech Lab workshops. Workshops on other technology topics of interest (Filemaker, Dreamweaver and other lab software, for example) will be announced throughout the term. GSLIS Tech Lab Hours When Classes Are in Session When Classes Are Not in Session Sunday: 10:00-10:00 Saturday and Sunday: Closed Monday - Thusday: 8:00-10:00 Monday - Friday: 8:00-4:00 Friday: 8:00-8:00 Saturday: 9:00-9:00 Go to the GSLIS Tech Lab How-to Download Center online for useful computing information at http://my.simmons.edu/gslis/techlab/howto-info.shtml Getting Started with the TOR in WebCT Vista What is WebCT Vista? WebCT Vista is a password-protected course management system. Most GSLIS professors use VISTA for course material retrieval, course discussions, online quizzes, a course calendar and grade posting. Each professor uses different aspects and functions of Vista. WebCT Vista also provides access to the TOR. Browser Check Before logging in, we recommend that you do a browser check. Select the Run a Browser Check link to be sure that your browser is configured properly. You will be alerted to problems and receive suggestions for making changes to preferences as needed. For best results, we recommend using Internet Explorer as it is the browser most consistently supported by WebCT Vista. You should also be sure that your browser is not blocking pop-ups. Each browser handles pop-up settings differently. How to Allow Pop-ups in Vista 1. How do I set Internet Explorer to allow pop-ups? Pop-up Blocker is on by default. Tools > Pop-Up Blocker > Turn Off Pop-Up Blocker 2. How do I set Mozilla to allow pop-ups? MAC: Firefox > Preferences > Click on Web Features on the left hand side > Uncheck the Block Pop-up Windows box > Click OK PC: Tools > Options >Web Features > Uncheck the Pop-up Windows box > Click OK 3. How do I set Netscape to allow pop-ups? Tools > Pop-up Manager > Allow Pop-ups from this site This information about pop-ups is also available at http://my.simmons.edu/gslis/techlab/howto-info.shtml on the GSLIS tech lab web site. Login To login to your account: • Go to http://learning.simmons.edu • Select the Simmons College link. • Select the Log In button. • The Simmons College Log In page should open. • Type your username, the same name you use for Simmons email. In the password box, type your 7-digit Simmons ID which you can find on the front of your Simmons id card (remember to include the initial zero). If you have already changed your password from your ID number in email, use the new password. • Click OK. After logging in, you will see a welcome screen entitled My WebCT with your name and a listing of all your courses including a link to the TOR (Technology Orientation Requirement) titled GSLIS TOR – Spring 06. Select this link to begin the TOR. Vista WebCT Functions About the Main Page 1. Calendar Day , on the left, allows you to create entries in online calendar. You may also create a to do list. 2. Course List links will take you to the main page for any course and section you are enrolled in. 3. The My WebCT link in the top right will return you to this main page. 4. Campus Bookmarks , on the right, allow you to open links to email, My Simmons and the library in a new browser window. 5. Manage and store files using the File manager. Select the File Folder icon in the right side menu bar. Log out of the WebCT Vista system by selecting the Log Out link in the upper left. About the Course Homepage 1. Course Icons • The center of the page contains icons that may vary in title and description according to instructor. At a minimum, each course will have a link to the course Outcomes and the Syllabus. • Other icons may link to instructor presentations in PDF or Microsoft PowerPoint, course readings including links to lists of items on library reserve, and assessments (online quizzes.) 2. Course Menu Bar is the bar located below the main menu: • This bar includes links to course Discussions, Calendar, My Files, Assignments. • Under more tools you may find other course links depending on the features the instructor has chosen to use including Assessments 3. Main Menu Bar is located at top of the page: • The My WebCT link in the top right will return you to the main page. • Log out of the WebCT Vista system by selecting the Log Out link in the upper right. • Help will provide WebCT Vista assistance. Specific Functions in WebCT Vista… Participate in Course Discussion WebCT Vista enables students to participate in online discussion and to share links and files. Selecting the push pin/tack icon from the course home opens a main discussion page for the course. Selecting All topics opens a window that allows you to create a message. Selecting the Create Message button opens this window. Select the appropriate Topic (there may only be one choice); add a Subject (required) and then type or paste you discussion posting in the message field. If you want to attach a file (text or picture) use the Add Attachments button. You have the option to Preview, Cancel or Save as Draft. When you are ready to add your message select Post. Manage your Files The WebCt Vista file manager provides you with a place to save files related to your courses. Choose the My Files link on the Course Menu bar to access the space. Choose Upload File and then use the Browse button locate the file you want to Save. When you have uploaded files they will appear in you’re My Files space. You will be able to Move, Copy or Delete files or Download them as needed from the WebCT Vista server.