Introduction to WebCT

Introduction to Illinois Compass

Note: We are among the very first courses at UIUC to use this new software (which is sometimes also referred to as WebCT, Vista, or the Vista version of WebCT. We will try to call it Illinois Compass or just Compass). Since it is new, please be patient if a few problems crop up. I have found that it has many advantages over the versions of WebCT that preceded it and hope that our early adoption of Compass for this course will enhance your learning experience.

Location
- Three ways to find Illinois Compass
  - Via thge UIUC Homepage at http://www.uiuc.edu
    - -> (Shortcuts: Click for Quick Links) Course information
    - -> (Course management tools) Illinois Compass
    Via the direct URL for Compass http://compass.uiuc.edu
  - Via the course website
    - http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/courses/edpsy313
      - --> click Compass (in left column)
      - --> click Compass (topic heading)
Logging on
- For User ID
  - enter your UIUC NetID
- For Password
  - enter your NetID ("bluestem") password (same as for U of I Direct or terminal servers)
- Click on EDPSY313
Using Compass
- Quizzes & questionnaires
  - Quizzes
    - To motivate students to complete weekly readings and help them understand the major points of each reading
    - Will allow us to apply go beyond readings in class
    - Practice quiz
      - --> Weekly Assignments --> Week 01 --> 1.1 Practice Quiz
      - for each question --> Save Answer
      - circles turn into checkmarks to indicate which questions have been answered
      - to submit quiz --> Finish
      - "Submit Quiz for Grading?" --> OK
      - --> View Results
      - review results
    - 01 Quiz Perkinson due before next class
      - each quiz scored out of 5 points
      - time limit of one minute for each question (see me if you have special needs requiring more time)
      - can take each quiz twice; score is the average (mean) of the two scores (highest score achieved by getting 100% on first attempt)
  - Questionnaires
    - --> Quizzes & Questionnaires
      - Questionnaires
        
        Complete three questionnaires to aid in team formation
        
        00a Beliefs
        00b Course & Computer Info
        00c Acquaintances
- Discussions
  - -> Weekly Assignments - > Week 01 -> 3.1 Practice
  - see Announcements
    - Read post from Gary Cziko
    - Compose your own note to this Topic
    - Reply to a note in this Topic
    - Read yours and other replies to my note
- Writing assignments
  - Each week students will post assignments to the numbered forum corresponding the week's reading
  - The appropriate Discussion Topic for each week can be found at Weekly Assignmens -> Week xx
  - For odd assignments (e.g, "01 Discussion: Perkinson")
    - Odd students write a Summary, Impact & Critique (SCI) by "Composing" a message and posting it to the appropriate numbered Forum
      - Include an appropriate description in the "Subject" box
    - Even students post "Reply" to an odd student's (preferably unreplied) post
    - One unit students do both SCI and reply
  - For even assignments (e.g., "02 Discussion: Hulit and Howard 1 2")
    - Even students write a Summary, Impact & Critique (SCI) by "Composing" a message and posting it to the appropriate numbered Forum
      - include an appropriate description in the "subject" box
    - Odd students post "Reply" to an even student's (preferably unreplied) post
    - One unit students do both SCI and reply
  - TIP
    - If you are writing something long enough to cause you grief if you lose it:
      - compose the assignment in your favorite word processor and save it to disk
      - then copy the text, switch to the appropriate Compass Discussion Topic, and paste the text into message window
      - this will prevent loss of work if Compass or your computer crashes while posting assignment
  - Summary of directions for posting Writing Assignments
    - Write assignment using word processor and save to disk; select all text and Save in clipboard
    - Logon to Compass
    - go to Weekly Assignments -> Week 01 -> 01 Discussion: Perkinson (e.g.)
    - Odd SCI student selects "Compose" and writes assignment (for odd assignment)
    - Even replying student selects SCI statement and "Replies" (for odd assigment)
- People Information (usually done in second class meeting)
  - Creating your Illinois Compass "Homepage"
    - select Discussions from top-right toolbar
    - go to General -> People Information -> Instructions for People Info
    - follow instructions in message
More information on Illinois Compass
- click "Help" in the upper-right corner
IMPORTANT!
- Make sure you logout when you are finished with Illinois Compass. If you don't, anyone using the browser after you will have access to your Compass account.