Avoiding Problems with WebCT

If you are logging to WebCT for the first time, check out our step by step instructions. 

If you have problems signing onto WebCT and believe they are computer related contact Jim Morgan at jimm@mesalands.edu or (575) 461-4413 ext. 116. Assistance is available during normal College work hours 8AM-5PM.

WebCT is easy to use, and most students have few problems getting used to this online environment.  However, there are a few pitfalls that can occur, and most of these happen when any (or all) of these conditions occur:

  • you are not using one of the approved browsers

  • the browser settings do not enable javascript

  • you are using AOL to connect to the Internet

  • you do not close the browser when you finish a WebCT session.

The instructions below tell you how you can avoid these problems.

Supported Client Operating Systems

  • Windows 98/ME/NT/2000
  • Mac OS 8.6 & 9.1 (OS X to be supported by version 3.7 with full release of IE)
  • Linux

Use an Approved Browser

Before any users begin using WebCT,  they need to check their browsers to make sure they are using a browser that works well with WebCT and  that certain settings have been made. 

Generally, the browsers that work best with WebCT are

  • Netscape 4.5 or higher (but NOT Netscape 6)

  • Internet Explorer (IE) 5.0 or higher (but NOT IE 5.5, service pack 1)

If you don’t know what version of a browser you are using, click the Help button in the menu bar and in the drop down box, click About Internet Explorer or About Netscape.

To check to see if the browser on your computer is ok to use with WebCT, use the Browser Tune-up that WebCT provides at http://www.webct.com/exchange/viewpage?name=exchange_browser_tuneup.

Check the browser settings

Once you are sure the browser you are using is one of the preferred ones, you should check the javascript settings.

Browser

Directions

Netscape Communicator -Preference is 4.05 and higher

Go to Edit > Preferences. Choose Advanced. Make sure the Enable Java and Enable Javascript boxes are selected. Click on OK

Internet Explorer

Preference is IE 5 and higher (except for 5.5, Service Pack 1)

Service Pack 2 is now available

If you are using IE 5 and above, the default settings for Javascript are probably all right. 

If you are using earlier versions of IE, you might need to change the Javascript settings.  To do that, go to Tools > Internet Options. Choose the Advanced tab. From the long list of options find the Microsoft VM label (might be listed as Java VM) and from there make sure that boxes for Java console enabled and Java logging enabled are selected. Click OK.  Restart your computer if you checked the Java console enabled box.

Issues for AOL Users

 If you use American Online (AOL) for web access, you will need the AOL version 4.0 or higher client software and the Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher browser.  WebCT does not recommend that you use earlier versions of the AOL client with earlier version of IE, as you will have problems accessing many of the WebCT features.

Extremely Important:  Do not use the AOL browser!  Connect with AOL, but then minimize it and use the other browser. AOL has supplied stripped down versions of IE and Netscape.  People have problems with WebCT when they do not have the full version of the accepted browsers!!

Some AOL users have reported being kicked out of the AOL session when it is run minimized.  The steps below show how to avoid this kind of timeout.

For best results with AOL, WebCT recommends the following:

1.        Connect to the Internet using AOL version 4.0 or higher.

2.       Open a private chat within AOL (not necessary, but this allows the AOL client to remain open without messages asking you if you wish to disconnect once the session is minimized).

3.       Minimize the AOL session.

4.       Launch a recommended browser.

ALWAYS Log Off!

Browsers remember id’s and passwords!  If students are using WebCt in a computer lab, they must know to close the browser and log completely out of the session when they are done.  If the student has been logged on to WebCT and leaves the browser running, the next person who uses that machine can log on to WebCT using the first student’s id and password.  They might not even notice they are logged in under a different id and turn in work, take exams, send email, and make discussion postings – all under the first student’s name.