First Week of Courses

Before | First | During | End

1. Attend Orientation
   • Many professors hold a face-to-face orientation for their online courses. During this orientation they will review the syllabus, discuss grading and assignments, orient you to the course interface, and answer any questions. These orientation sessions are most helpful, particularly if you are a first-timer to online learning. Some professors require attendance.
   • The Univerisity of Central Florida also provides an Online Course Orientation. You can access this orientation at http://learn.ucf.edu/orientation/index.html .
2. Login to WebCT
   
   Instructions for logging into the course can be found at http://reach.ucf.edu/~learn/login.html. If you have difficulty logging in, contact your instructor immediately.
3. Familiarize yourself with the course
1. Don’t be afraid to explore! :>) Click the buttons on the homepage to find out what features your course will contain.
2. Practice exercises: Many professors ask you to introduce yourself by posting in a discussion topic. This allows you to get your feet wet prior to an actual assignment. Some professors will require you to enter a short bio in eCommunity.
4. Consult online WebCT instructions
   
   WebCT is a computer program that manages UCF's online courses. Rather than spending the first few weeks of the terms struggling to learn WebCT AND complete your assignments, you can cruise through the tutorials to learn the individual features used in your course.

   The WebCT tutorials contain a wealth of information from accessing course materials and quizzes to posting messages in a discussion topic. These tutorials are also available in the Online Course Orientation.

5. Add/Drop
   
   Once your registration appointment time has arrived, you may register or add/drop courses at any time following until the close of the registration session. Refer to the Schedule Web Guide (printed copy, or online at http://registrar.ucf.edu) for Early Registration and Add/Drop, Registration and Add/Drop, and Late Registration and Add/Drop closing dates.