Information Technology

Student Tools

Email | Locker | Calendar | Dropbox | Discussions

E-mail

E-mail is short for electronic mail. You enter messages using your keyboard. You then send the message to the recipient by entering the Recipient's e-mail address on the address line. You can also send a copy of your e-mail to several other users at the same time. Sent messages are stored in the User's electronic mail box until they retrieve them.

• Composing an e-mail message

  1. In the main e-mail window, click on the Compose button.
  2. Type the recipient's e-mail address in the To: field. If you have an address book setup you can click on the Address Book button beside the To: field.
  3. Type a brief description of your e-mail in the subject line.
  4. Type your message in the large text box.
  5. Click the Send button.

• Adding an attachment to an e-mail

  1. In the main e-mail window, click on the Compose button.
  2. Click the Browse button and choose your file.
  3. Click the Attach File button.

• Creating a folder

  1. In the main e-mail window, click on the Folders button.
  2. Click on the Add New Folder button on the bottom right hand side of the main folder screen.
  3. Type in the name of the folder.
  4. Click Save.

• Creating an Address Book contact

  1. In the main e-mail window, click on the Address Book.
  2. Click the Add Contact button.
  3. Type in the first name of your contact in the text field.
  4. Type in the last name of your contact in the text field.
  5. Type in the e-mail address.
  6. Click Create.

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Locker

This is an area where you can upload and store personal files. All files that are stored in the Locker are confidential and can only be accessed by you. This comes in handy when you work on multiple workstations; no more carrying around disks!

• Add a File

  1. Click on the Locker link.
  2. To add a new file to your Locker, click the Upload New File button.
  3. Browse and select the file you wish to upload.
  4. Enter a brief description (if you wish) of the file.
  5. To complete your addition click Upload.

• Retrieving a File

  1. To retrieve a file that you have uploaded, right click on the name, and select Save Target As...If you are using Netscape, right click on the name and select Save As.

• Viewing an Uploaded File

  1. To view a file that you have uploaded, click on the file name.

• Delete

  1. To delete an existing file, select the checkbox beside the file name and click the Delete button.

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Calendar

You can use your calendar to inform or remind yourself of important course-related dates and events. Your calendar view includes all the information that you have posted, in addition to events posted by your course instructor.

• Adding a Personal Event

  1. Click on Add Event
  2. Type the title of your event in the Title field.
  3. Choose a date by using either the drop-down boxes or by clicking on the small calendar image beside the drop-downs.
  4. In the Description text area, type a description.
  5. Click Save.

You have now returned to the main calendar screen. You will see that date is now bolded and in blue. This means that you have a personal event scheduled for that date.

Click on the blue date. You will see the calendar event and description shown in the screen beside the calendar.

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Dropbox

The Desire2Learn Dropbox allows students to submit their papers to their Instructor electronically.

• Types of Files

  1. Your assignments can be submitted using a Word file, an Excel spreadsheet, a Powerpoint presentation or a number of other file formats.
  2. Microsoft Works files can not be accepted. They do not come through correctly.

• Dropping off a file

  1. Choose the class for which you want to drop off an assignment.
  2. Find the Dropbox tool, click on it.
  3. Choose the appropriate Dropbox folder, click on it.
  4. Put in the number of files that you will be uploading (generally it will only be one). Click Next.
  5. Find the file that you would like to upload and click open.
  6. Type in a short description or comment about the file.
  7. Select any additional files that may be pertinent.
  8. After your files have been selected, click Upload.
  9. Some files may take a long time to upload (especially if there are graphics in the file). After the upload is complete the File Upload dialog box should appear. See the steps below to verify that your file went through.

• Did my file get through?

  1. Go to the Dropbox tool
  2. Click on the History button
  3. All of the assignments that have been submitted will be listed.

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Discussions

Discussions allow you to communicate with your Instructors and classmates in online courses. Unlike "Chats", discussions let you interact with your classmates and Instructors without having to be online at the same time.

• The Discussion Page

1. From the My Homepage, click on the course that interests you.
2. When the Course Home Page appears, click on the Discussions link. The Discussion page for that course will appear.

• Sending a message

1. Access the Discussions page as described above.
2. Choose the topic that you would like to post a message in.
3. Click Add Message.
4. An area to write a message will become available.
5. Move your cursor into that area.
6. Type in your message and include a subject.
7. Click Close.
8. Click Submit.

• Reading a Message

1. Access the Discussions page as described above.
2. Click on the topic that you would like to view.
3. Click on the subject within the topic that you would like to view.

• Replying to a Message

1. Access the Discussions page as described above.
2. Click on the topic that interests you.
3. Click on the subject that you want to reply to.
4. On the bottom frame click on Reply. A reply form will appear.
5. In the reply form type your message.
6. When your message is complete, click Submit.

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