Welcome to the Graduate School's
Online Classroom!

This document contains helpful resources for working/studying in WebTycho.

Getting Started

  • Computer Setup: If you are new to WebTycho, the Setting Up checklist found in the WebTycho Help Site can assist you in getting your computer ready for class.

  • WebTycho Tutorial. A WebTycho Orientation opens when new users first log into WebTycho and is also available anytime for an overview of WebTycho features: Click the Options button at the top of the WebTycho classroom, then click Orientation.

  • Email Validity. Online students must ensure their email addresses are accurate in WebTycho at all times. (To check your email address, look at the Class Members list in WebTycho.) Update your email address via Options/Account Preferences. See the email section below for tips on effective use of email in online classes.

  • Vital Class Information. In your online classroom, review the Syllabus carefully for detailed information about your course, and check Class Announcements regularly.

  • UMUC's Online Bookstore website lists the books required for your course and provides the means to order them online.

Back to Top

Composing & Posting Your Work

Text Formatting. See Using Text on the WebTycho Help site for how to make your text look its best in WebTycho and avoid text formatting pitfalls in the online environment. Be sure to look at how to use WebTycho's Text Formatting Editor (TFE), which can retain much of the formatting applied in MS Word and other word processors, as well as being able to manually apply formatting to plain text and accept image files.

So you don't risk losing your work, it's generally a good idea to compose your work offline and save copies of your work outside of WebTycho, then copy/paste into WebTycho or attach a file.

File Attachments. For details about posting file attachments, see the Attaching Files section of the Using Text page. Contact your instructor for details about his/her preferred file formats.

Keep the following in mind when attaching files to the WebTycho classroom: 

  • HTML files may not be attached to the WebTycho classroom.

  • Class members without the same application and version as yours may not be able to read your files. You may need to Save As another file type or version.
     
  • Filenames should not contain spaces or characters other than alphabetic letters, numerals, underscores, and hyphens. Macintosh users may have to manually add file extensions to filenames.
     
  • Use -- and regularly update -- a reputable virus scanner on your computer. Refer to the WebTycho Help site's Virus Protection Guidelines.

Post your individual papers and exams to your Assignments Folder, unless you are instructed otherwise. 

For how to use WebTycho's Assignments feature to submit assignments and Portfolio feature to see your grades, consult the WebTycho User Guide.

Back to Top

WebTycho & Library Help

WebTycho Help Options

The instructor is not responsible for resolution of WebTycho technical issues/problems.

  1. Use the Help button in the WebTycho classroom.
  2. Access the WebTycho Help site's materials online at tychousa.umuc.edu/wtdocs/wthelp/.
  3. Contact WebTycho Support Services by telephone at 1-800-807-4862 (year-round, round-the-clock), or by email at webtychosupport@umuc.edu.

UMUC's Information and Library Services (ILS) Help Options

UMUC's ILS department provides students free access to over 100 searchable online databases of newspaper and journal articles and a growing number of ebooks, along with document/book loans and round-the-clock technical and librarian direct support.

  1. Use the Library Services links available at the Library link in your classroom or right on the library homepage: www.umuc.edu/library/.
  2. Contact the UMUC reference librarians round-the-clock via real-time Chat, email, or telephone: see contact info at Ask a Librarian.
  3. Visit library offices: see www.umuc.edu/library/about.html for locations/hours.

Back to Top

Guidelines for Online Communications

"Netiquette"

All students are expected to comply with the spirit of UMUC's Guidelines for Online Etiquette in their online communications (in conferences, chatrooms, and emails, both composing and reading). Please apply basic principles of courtesy, tolerance, and professionalism. In particular, note the following:

  • Respect the confidentiality of what is shared in class in order to facilitate communication and learning in this environment, as well as to respect privacy. DO NOT reveal or discuss any personally identifiable information from or about others (such as work site, comments about organization or persons, views of policies).

  • Keep in mind that confidentiality in the classroom cannot be guaranteed. Do not write anything that would be embarrassing if it were made public and never disclose trade secrets or company-confidential information in class.

  • Give citations for quoted materials or others' ideas, as in all writing for class.

  • Be cautious about expressing emotion, whether intentional or unintentional, e.g., when using BOLD typeface; when using words or phrases that can stereotype people; or when responding to ideas about which one feels strongly.

  • Be sure to reread messages before sending, think about their potential impact, and edit as necessary.

Effective Management of Email

Reserve use of email in online classes only for private communications to instructors or classmates, where possible. Questions/comments that might benefit (or be adequately answered by) other class members should normally be raised in the class or study group conference areas, not in email. Follow your instructor's direction.

Clearly identify who you are, your class and section, and your reason for sending your email to help your instructor readily identify your email, both as a courtesy and to facilitate a helpful and prompt response to you:

  • Set up your email identity so that your email From: line identifies your name as well as your email address, e.g., "From: Bob Smith <rsmith99@aol.com>". For help with this, see WebTycho HELP's Email section, or contact WebTycho Support.

  • Type a clear, descriptive subject line that includes the class numerical designator and section, e.g., "Subj: ADMN601/9040: Request extension".

  • Identify your class again in the body of your email, along with a clear, complete description of your reason for writing.

  • Type your full name at the close of your email. Again, this is both a courtesy and effective and professional management of your own email communications.

  • Consider setting up a new email account if your present email address is less than professional (e.g., "hotgamer@freemail.com").

Back to Top

Hints for Success in Your Online Class

  • Designate certain times each week to work on your course. Plan ahead; avoid procrastination; even out your workload; absorb material before moving on. 

  • Have a specific achievement goal for each log-on session to help you accomplish what you need to get done and avoid distractions.

  • Actively participate in conferences. Meaningful interchange will lead to better understanding of various aspects of the course and also contribute to the personality and warmth of the classroom community.

  • If assigned to an online team or study group, work with your team members actively from the start. Thus, team members will benefit from each others' ideas and experiences and can depend on one another to complete assigned tasks. 

  • Practice an informal but organized, concise, and clear writing style that aids online communication. 

  • Ask questions. Head off problems early by asking questions of the WebTycho help desk staff, the librarians, your instructor, and/or fellow students as soon as a difficulty arises. 

  • Venture beyond the classroom. The Internet medium of the online classroom gives ready access to electronic libraries (UMUC's ILS) and to pertinent websites that offer a significant advantage in understanding graduate-level material. 

  • Your class may occasionally use short multimedia components to enrich the learning environment. Follow instructions provided in your classroom.

Back to Top

Summary of Vital Resource Links

Back to Top

Graduate School Home Page || Graduate Student Affairs || UMUC Policies || WebTycho Login

Created and maintained by the Graduate School's distance education coordinators
© University of Maryland University College.