Getting Started with eLearning

Technical Requirements

In addition to a confident level of computer and Internet literacy, certain minimum technical requirements must be met to enable a successful learning experience.

Browsers and Operating Systems

Software

  • MS Office 2007 is the minimum standard. Microsoft software is available at a nominal cost from the UT Dallas/Microsoft Program. Software CDs are available for purchase at the UT Dallas Technology Store.
  • Virus detection/protection software. McAfee enterprise edition is available for free to UT Dallas faculty, staff, and students. To download this software, go to http://netid.utdallas.edu, and click on the 'Secure download of UT Dallas software' link. Log in using your NetID and password.
  • Plug-ins may be required to view media in or your eLearning class. Below are links to the most common plug-ins used.
  • Below is a list of recommended free tools that are available:

Course Access and Navigation

Most of our online courses were developed using a web course tool called eLearning. Students must have a UT Dallas NetID and password to log into eLearning and access the course.

New students can go to the UT Dallas NetID page at http://netid.utdallas.edu to initiate their account shortly before or at the start of the semester. The UT Dallas NetID and password are to be used as the WebCT ID and password for login. Students can use this account to access all of UT Dallas eLearning classes plus other UT Dallas computing systems (i.e. your UT Dallas email account). Please note that the account password must be updated every 6 months. UT Dallas IR will send users a reminder message to their UT Dallas email accounts prior to the password expiration. To update the account password, please login to the NetID webpage. For more information, please visit the NetID FAQ's page.

The URL for the course login page is: http://elearning.utdallas.edu. Courses may be accessed at any time after the semester starts. Once logged in, students will see the “My Courses” page. Here students will see any classes that have been created by their instructors. Students can click the course title to access the course Home Page.

Please Note: Not all classes have an eLearning component to them. If a class is missing, the student needs to check with the instructor to find out if eLearning will be used.

 

Communications

eLearning built-in communication tools

There are four built-in communication tools instructors can choose to use in order to facilitate learning, communication, interaction, and collaboration.

  • The Announcements tool may be used by the instructor to post text announcements to the class. Students can keep updated with any course news and notifications by checking the announcement messages.
    (Student Instructions: Viewing Announcements)
  • A course communication system, the Discussion tool, allows asynchronous communication among all course participants. Discussion topics or private discussion groups can be set up for class topic discussions and homework assignments. It also serves as a course bulletin board where the instructor can post course announcements and students can exchange information.
    (Student Instructions: Posting Messages on the Discussion Board)
  • Students can use the course Mail tool to communicate privately with the instructor and any class participant.
    (Student Instructions: Using Mail)
  • The Chat/Whiteboard tool can be used for real-time communication among course participants. Instructors may schedule times to use the Chat and/or Whiteboard tools for office hours and/or class discussion sessions. Small groups may also use the Chat tool for group discussions. Please see the eLearning Help Menu for more details on using these tools.
    (Student instructions: Using Chat and Whiteboard Rooms)
  • The Web Conferencing tool Adobe Connect is available for use upon request.
    (View additional information on UTD's web conferencing tool.)

Email

For information on UT Dallas's student email, please visit IR's Email Launch Pad.
 

Technical Support

 


Page last updated on October 24, 2011 .