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WebCT provides e-mail for use within your course that is useful for communications with your classmates and instructor. However, it CANNOT be used for e-mail outside the course and you have to log in to WebCT to use it.
If AOL is your Internet Service Provider (ISP), then your AOL software comes with e-mail functions built-in. If you have never used AOL's e-mail functions (and are an AOL subscriber), take a few moments to review their very useful Help Files related to sending and receiving e-mail.
If you have another ISP and use Netscape Navigator or Communicator, your computer may be configured to send and receive e-mail through your web browser. In this instance, your e-mail and web browsing functions exist in the same piece of software, much like AOL's software.
If you have another ISP and use Internet Explorer, then you may be using Outlook Express or Outlook to access e-mail. These programs are typically installed with other Microsoft programs you may have on your computer, like Windows '95 or '98, Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, etc. Look under Start, Programs to determine if you are using one of these programs.
WebCT E-mail works like most e-mail programs with a few twists. When you click on the WebCT e-mail icon or link, you will see a screen like this:
Like typical e-mail programs, WebCT notifies you of New and Unread Messages in your Inbox. If you have any messages waiting to be sent, they will appear either in the Outbox or the Drafts folder. WebCT also gives you a Total for the total number of messages in your Inbox, Outbox or Drafts folder.
From this screen, you may also Compose Messages, Search Messages, Manage Folders and Manage Messages.
To access your message, click on one of the folders that contain unread messages, either the All folder (which lists all messages) or the Inbox (which lists recent messages you have received). You will see a window like this:
Messages can be viewed in three ways:
1. you can Show All to see all messages in your Inbox
2. you can View Unread Threaded, which shows unread messages and organizes them by subject
3. you can View Unthreaded, which list unread messages sequentially in the order in which they were received
Likely, you will want to choose Show All to view all messages every time you visit your Inbox. If you choose Unread, you may always switch to Show All if you are looking for a particular earlier message.
You can also Select messages by clicking on the box in front of each message and Compile them to view in a single window. This is particularly handy if you are communicating with classmates and want to view and print or download their messages
WebCT displays the Subject of the message at the top of the message window. The Message Number, Sender and Date are displayed in the first few lines of the message. These descriptors can be quite handy when searching for messages.
Note that you may Forward, Reply, Quote or Download a message. If you wish to include the original message in your reply to the Sender, then use Quote. Otherwise, just click on Reply.
Simply type your message in the white space. When you are finished, click on Preview to check your spelling and composition. If you are satisfied, you can click on Send or you can Edit the message to make changes.
If you want to write an original message, return to the Main Mail Menu or your Inbox and select Compose Message. A window similar to the Reply window appears:
Two important features differentiate the Compose window from the Reply window:
1. you may only type a new Subject in the Compose window
2. you may choose one or more Recipients
To choose the recipient of your message, click on Browse next to the line for Send To. You will be presented with a list with the names of all your classmates and your instructor, like this:
To select one or more recipients, you may:
1. Click on a single name;
2. Click on one name and hold down the Shift key while clicking on a second name to choose all the names between the first and the second name;
3. Hold down the Ctrl key to select multiple names not in a row
When you have selected everyone to whom you are sending a message, click on Done. Your recipient’s names will appear in the Send To box.
You may also Attach Files to your message. Simply select the Browse button after the box numbered “1” (see above) and select the file from your local computer.
Once you have selected a file, click on Open. You will be returned to the Compose (or Reply) window. Click on Attach File (listed as “2”) to complete the process and officially attach the file.
You can also Search your messages within WebCT by Date, Message Number or Sender.
WebCT E-mail offers a variety of means for creating, managing and organizing messages within your course. While it’s unlikely you will use all these tools, having an awareness of them can make your life easier when the occasion calls for frequent e-mail communications within WebCT.
