Below you will find information and resources for a variety of topics concerning Webcourses@UCF. You may use the navigation (above) to jump to the specific section you would like to explore.
It is important that you prepare your computer to operate in the Webcourses@UCF environment. Please make the following adjustments to your computer:
Webcourses@UCF is a platform that relies on your Internet browser and Java applets to display content. It is critically important that you configure your browser correctly so it will function properly with Webcourses@UCF, allowing you to fully benefit from the online experience.
Webcourses@UCF has a built in “Check Browser” function to assist you with the configuration of your browser.
Before completing any course work, please do the following:
Webcourses@UCF uses the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) for key features, including file uploads and chat. You must have a current version of Java installed on your computer to use Webcourses@UCF. Java Installation/Upgrade Guide will walk you through testing your Java version, and if need be, upgrading/installing Java.
To ensure a successful online learning experience with your course, make sure you have the required downloads and plug-ins.
Some of the most commonly used downloads and plug-ins include:Please review your course syllabus or contact your instructor for a listing of required plug-ins for your class. If you need one of these plug-ins, select the link above. Search for the plug-in and download the latest version for your operating system.
Supported Operating Systems include:
Please note that Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, and Mac OS 9 and below are no longer supported.
Supported Browsers include:
Please note that Webcourses@UCF does not officially support Safari. It is suggested that Mac OS users download Firefox. You may download a free copy of Firefox at Firefox.com.
Occasionally, you may receive a pop-up window indicating Webcourses@UCF is not a trusted site. You can set your browser to make Webcourses@UCF a trusted site by following these instructions (instructions may vary depending on browser):
Currently, Safari does not have an option to set permanent trusted sites. Whenever you visit Webcourses@UCF, be sure to click OK when asked whether or not Webcourses@UCF is a trusted site.
Pop-up blockers can cause a variety of problems if not configured appropriately. For Webcourses@UCF to function properly, your browser must allow pop-up windows from the Webcourses@UCF server. If you cannot view a discussion posting, quiz or have difficulty opening links, read through the support page linked below and follow the instructions:
Troubleshooting your Pop-Up Blocker Problems
Cookies are small pieces of data that are sent by a Web server (in our case, the Webcourses@UCF server) to a browser. The browser sends that cookie back each time it accesses the server.
Cookies are used by Webcourses@UCF for authentication purposes and must be enabled for your browser to access Webcourses@UCF. If cookies are not enabled, you may be improperly authenticated and could experience technical issues. At a minimum, session cookies must be enabled for your Webcourses@UCF site.
Problems resulting from cookies not being enabled include:
The Browser Checker (link to previous section) will check for cookie problems and provide a link to information about enabling cookies.
If your browser is having problems displaying Webcourses@UCF, you may have an adware problem. Adware, advertising-supported software, automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.
If you suspect that you have an adware problem, contact CS&T Service Desk at (407) 823-5117 or helpdesk@mail.ucf.edu.
To ensure the proper maintenance and backing up of Webcourses@UCF, there are scheduled periods of time when you will not be able to log into the system. During these times, a notifice of routine maintenance will appear. On occassion, Webcourses@UCF may be shut down for short periods of time to fix a problem. Both of these instances are documented on the Online Courses @ UCF Status Page. You may use this page to verify if errors during login were due to system downtime. Routine maintenance will be posted on the status page in advance, so be sure to check it when you are planning to access Webcourses@UCF for class work.
Sometimes, after students log into myUCF, they do not see their course listed in the Webcourses@UCF pagelet under the “Online Course Tools” tab. If you cannot see your classes on the pagelet, follow these instructions: Missing Classes Guide.
If you are having problems while logged in to Webcourses@UCF, you can access a help solution database by selecting the “Help” link in the upper right hand corner of the window.
If you are unsure if your situation matches one of the above, contact the Techrangers. Contact information is listed below.
The Techrangers can be contacted by submitting a question to their Ask the Techrangers page or by calling (407) 823 – 3808. The Techrangers’ hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
The Computer Services & Telecommunications Service Desk can be contacted at (407) 823 – 5117 or by e-mail at helpdesk@mail.ucf.edu. The CS&T Service Desk’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm.
Ask UCF is a source for frequently asked questions and answers dealing with technical issues and procedures at UCF. If you cannot find your exact situation when searching the database, you may submit an inquiry, The appropriate department will respond.
Visit Ask UCF.
Blackboard operates several user forums where you can post questions related to using Blackboard and search other user’s posts. They cannot answer questions about a specific class or course content, only questions about the Blackboard tools.
Webcourses@UCF is the UCF brand for a Blackboard product. When you contact Blackboard, their terminology is “Blackboard Learning System-Vista.”
To access the forums visit Ask Dr. C.
UCF Learning Online is your source for general information about online courses and Webcourses@UCF. It covers a variety of topics from your first online class to continued technical support solutions.
The “L” icon in your Webcourses@UCF Course Tools menu takes you to the Web site as well.