English 1302

The Electronic Classroom In WebCT

The electronic classroom serving this course resides in a World Wide Web site that is accessible anywhere a student can enter the web.

  • The pre-tests posted there are timed. They help students prepare for the tests. As far as weight in the overall grade, though, they count for attendance only.
  • The tests there are required and count as 30% of the course grade.
  • They also have time limits.
  • Several discussion board postings during the semester are also required.
  • Our class will also use WebCT private email for sensitive topics.

Access to WebCT 4.0, is through the SAC PALS portal. The SAC PALS portal is a secure Web site with many resources. These are some of the services available to students through PALS:

  • Online registration for courses 
  • Transcripts 
  • Grades 
  • Free email address (This is a permanent email address that students may continue using even after you finish their studies at SAC. A student must use it often, however, or the account will expire. The PALS email system is NOT available between  2 and 6 a.m.) 
  • College news & current events 
  • Access to all WebCT courses on a student's schedule
Top

Getting into the WebCT Classroom
Read ALL the directions below before attempting to log in.

This section outlines how to get into the electronic classroom. If you have trouble with this or anything on the web, make at least three attempts, then try again later. If you have taken WebCT classes in the past, you will notice that the login page looks different, but many things still work in the same way.

1. Open an Internet browser to access the World Wide Web. Internet Explorer works best.

2. Click on the PALS link here

3. Notice the instructions on the far left below the log in boxes and follow each of the steps, which are: 

4. Click to obtain your PALS user name.

5. When the system asks, type in the Social Security number.

6. Make a record of the PALS user name you are given in a secure location.

7. Use this password to get in the first time. The password is the first two characters of your last name in UPPER CASE followed by the last six digits of your Social Security number. For example:

User id: John Doe 
SSN = 123987654 
John Doe's Password = DO987654

Once you enter PALS successfully, you should see this menu:

8. Click on the "My Courses" tab, as shown above, to see our class listed under "Courses I'm Attending."

  • You may set the screen to show the classes for this current semester only by selecting this term in the dialogue box after the "Course Schedule for:" link.
  • Click on our course and section number to get into WebCT.
If you experience difficulty logging into the SAC PALS portal, call ACCD Information Technologies Support Central Help Desk at (210) 220-1616 and then press 1.

Communicate with our class through the WebCT e-mail and discussion board

9. After logging in for the first time and before you log out, change the password to something you can remember, but that others will not be able to guess. Students may change the password by clicking on the My Account button in the top, left corner just below the PALS logo.

  • Do not record it where it can be found by someone else.
  • DO NOT tell ANYONE the password.

10. Set a schedule for changing the password again to increase security. On that day, follow the above steps.

11. The PALS e-mail button is on the right side of the  menu. This is a regular e-mail program that you can use with fellow students and/or friends. Please DO NOT use it to contact the instructor in ENGL1302. Use WebCT private email and discussion board to communicate. Send essays as instructed on the options page.

12. As you work:

  • If you follow a link and the Back key becomes disabled, it's probably because the page has opened in a new browser window. Close it by clicking on the X-box in the top right corner, and your last page should show up.
  • Once you've done the reading and studying for each week, click on Online pre-tests and Surveys to take the pre-test or test.
  • When you have a message to send only to the instructor, click on WEBCT private email link.
  • To post to the discussion board, click on the discussion board link.
  • If there are questions not answered here, call the help desk number above.
When you finish, be sure to log out of BOTH WebCt and the PALS before leaving the computer. If you don't, others can access your personal records. Close all related browser windows.

(Adapted by permission from work by and with special thanks to Dr. Charlotte Wolf.) 

Front Page | English Dept. | SAC | Student Services | Top