Webster University: Course Tools

To use the Connections Course Tools, simply use your Connections ID to log into Connections at:

http://connections.webster.edu

Accessing Course Tools

Once you have logged in, you will want to select the "Student" tab.

This tab has items, or "channels," that are pertinent to you as a student at Webster. In the upper, left-hand corner, there is a My Courses channel. Click the link in this channel to proceed to your courses.

This page will show you all the courses you are enrolled in for the semester. If you click on the name of a course, it will take you to that course's homepage in the WorldClassRoom.

After selecting one of the courses, you'll see this course's Course Homepage . This page is divided into three sections. From the left, the first column gives us the Course Tools. Second, directly underneath, you can find My Tools. The main part of the page in the center will contain any course content added by the instructor.

Course Tools

In the first column where it says Course Tools, you can see an overview of the tools that WorldClassRoom offers:

Announcements - This tool allows course members to post announcements about the course such as meeting times, class meeting agendas, assignments, etc. Student submissions require instructor approval (by default).

Assessments - This tool is used to deliver online tests on course content.

Assignments - You use the Assignments tool to view, complete, submit, and publish assignments. If the Assignments tool is being used for your course, a link to it appears under Course Tools on the course menu. If there are new assignments, an icon appears next to the link.

Calendar - This tool allows you to view and create dated reminders about events. Entries can be viewed for a day, week, or month.

Chat - The Chat tool allows you to communicate in real time with other users in the course. You can use Chat to engage in real-time conversations with all users or selected users.

Discussions - This tool allows you to discuss course topics with Section Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and other Students in the course.

Learning Modules - Learning modules contain related course content that is organized to specify a learning path. A learning path is meant to guide you through the content in order to help you achieve the learning module's objectives.

Library - This will send you to Passports, Emerson Library's website.

Mail - This tool allows you to communicate with other Blackboard Learning System users through written correspondence, in text or HTML format, and file attachments. You can send mail to other users in the selected course or section.

Media Library - In the Media Library tool, you can view a database of text, image, video, and audio files related to your course.

Syllabus - You can refer to the Syllabus to learn more about your course.

Web Links - This tool allows you to compile a list of Internet addresses.

Who's Online - This tool allows you to chat in real time with users who are enrolled in any of your courses and logged in to the Blackboard Learning System at the same time you are logged in.

Writing Assistance - If you need assistance writing a paper, this tool will take you to the Academic Resource Center page.

My Tools

The last item in that column is My Tools .

My Grades - The My Grades screen displays all released grades for your course.

My Files - You can use My Files to create and store your personal files. Each user has their own My Files that is always private and cannot be accessed by other users.

Notes - Depending on the settings used by your institution and the design of your course, the Notes tool may not be available.