WebCT

WebCT Delivery for all Units from 2008

The University Planning and Management Committee met in August 2007 and voted that from 2008 all* distance education unit materials will be delivered via WebCT and that hard-copy unit materials will no longer be mailed to students. Some of you may already be familiar with WebCT, as it is used for a number of our units to support the hard-copy materials you receive via post in previous years.

*Please note, at this stage there are still 4 CIH units which will be delivered via CD and not WebCT (although information on these units is also available on WebCT). These units are:

• International Health and Primary Health Care 600
• Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries 600
• Sexually Transmissible Infection/HIV - International Perspectives 600
• International Nutrition 600

Distance Education are responsible for mailing out CDs for these four units to enrolled students.

What are the Advantages of WebCT?

For those of you who have not used WebCT, it is an easy-to-use internet-based interface that will allow you to access your unit materials 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere in the world, using your standard Curtin student number and OASIS password. This will be a huge advantage for our students who travel frequently, as it means the ‘brick’ no longer needs to be packed as luggage!

What Will my Unit Look Like When I Log-in to WebCT?

Units will still be comprised of the Unit Plan, Unit Guide/Materials and Unit Reader.

• Unit Plan/Outline - contains information about your assignments, a recommended reading schedule and important administrative information.
• Unit Guide/Materials (Study Guide) - contains all the written modules, usually studied on a module per week basis. Each module will make reference to readings (see below).
• Unit Reader - a complete reading list for each unit is available, along with detailed instructions on how to access each individual reading from the Library e-Reserve.

The WebCT environment also provides you with access to the Semester Calendar, assignment cover sheets, details of your Unit Coordinator and other useful resources. Many of the units will also have Discussion Boards managed by the Unit Coordinator, allowing for greater student interaction. Eventually, we also hope to include more interactive components such as videos and powerpoints in each unit.

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with all links in WebCT so you can take full advantage of the tools and materials provided.

How do I access WebCT?

You can access your units on WebCT in two ways:

• Log-in directly to WebCT at webct.curtin.edu.au using your Student Number and OASIS password
• Log-in to OASIS at oasis.curtin.edu.au using your Student Number and OASIS password and click on My Studies and Evaluate. Click on the WebCT link in the bottom left hand box.

What if I have Difficulty Accessing WebCT?

We understand that for some of our students who are living and working in areas of Australia or overseas with intermittent or unreliable internet access, that accessing your unit materials via WebCT may not be a suitable option. If you are one of these students, you will be able to apply to the Distance Education Office Manager (send an email to Maggie Khoo) for an exemption and receive your materials on CD.

Students who have difficulty accessing online or CDROM materials as a result of a disability can discuss the matter with a Disability Counsellor at Disability Services, or apply to the Director Student Services for an e-Exemption. Every effort will be made to provide the relevant material in an alternate format should the Disability Counsellor or Director Student Services support a reasonable request to do so. For more information please visit the Disability Services websiteor alternatively phone Freecall 1800 651 878 or TTY (08) 9266 4112.

Additional Help for Accessing WebCT

Distance Education has produced a detailed step-by-step illustrated guide for accessing OASIS and finding your way around WebCT. Access the guide here.