Before Classes Start

Before | First | During | End

1. Visit public course home pages
1. Most courses at UCF follow the same convention for accessing public course pages. In the location box of your browser type in http://reach.ucf.edu/~(your course prefix and number) .
   “Reach” is the name of the server on which courses are located at UCF.
2. While visiting the public course home pages, be sure to check out the following:
• Syllabus - the course home pages are essentially the Syllabus for the course broken down. The Syllabus button links you to crucial information pertaining to your course, including how grades will be determined
• Schedule - Most instructors will post the class schedule at this link. The schedule usually includes due dates, readings and assignments.
• Protocols - Being in an online environment is different from being face-to-face. Protocols are guidelines which will help everyone have a pleasant online experience.
• eCommunity - The eCommunity is used throughout the university as a means for students and faculty to send e-mail to the entire class or individual students. It works like a Distribution List. The eCommunity is a database that provides an e-mail function as well as biographical information for each student in the course. It is separate or outside of the WebCT portion of your course. You will use your NID to login to the eCommunity.
• Please note - Be sure to pay careful attention to these pages. Some professors may quiz you on what you learn here.
3. You can also access your courses by using the “My WebCT” feature at http://webct.ucf.edu. Click on Login to MyWebCT. (WebCT stands for Web Course Tools and is the courseware application used by UCF.) For more information on how to use My WebCT, go to WebCT Manual for Students.
2. Pick up required books and materials
   You will usually find the required books and materials listed on the Course Home pages. You can obtain the books online through the UCF Bookstore.