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University Technology

Getting Started with Online Learning

This resource site has been compiled to support WIU students with the primary tools provided and supported by Íæż½ã½ã. It may not include everyÌýtechnology that your instructor might choose to use.Ìý If you do not see a help resource listed here that covers your needs, consider searching tutorials for that resource onÌýGoogle and YouTube or request additional information from your instructor.Ìý

Ìý Topic MenuÌý

Getting Started
Technology Support
Technology Specifications for Online Students
Study Skills Resources for Online Students
Íæż½ã½ã Online (D2L Brightspace)
Zoom
Google Workspace (Formerly Google Apps for Education)
Microsoft Office 365
Taking Online Exams
Online Course Evaluation System

Ìý Getting Started

Read the

Read this short article about how toÌý

Visit our Technology Specifications for Online Students website to ensure that you have all necesary technology and skills.Ìý

Confirm that your browser will support Íæż½ã½ã Online with thisÌýÌý

Register to complete the self-paced Íæż½ã½ã Online Student Orientation.

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Ìý Technology SupportuTech logo

(link opens Google Document) (24/7/365 help for all questions regarding Íæż½ã½ã Online/D2L Brightspace)

University Technology Support CenterÌý |309.298.TECH (8324)|support@wiu.edu

Third-Party Application Support ContactsÌý
(Respondus, TurnItIn, Cengage, McGraw Hill, Pearson, etc.)

Note: Instructors may use course specific technology that is not supported by these resources.Ìý If there is a course specific technology that you are having difficulty using, please review your course syllabus for more information or contact your instructor.Ìý

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study skills logo Ìý Study Skills Resources for Online Students

Studying Online Content - Engaging with Online Course Contents and Materials

Review the links below to learn how to engage with and learn from the types of content you will be studying throughout your online courses at WIU.

Video Content: This guide includes information on engagin with and studing video content. Ideas discussed include but are not limited to engaging with the content, practicing active watching, setting goals, using the technology to adjust playback, practicing reflection, and much more! Get started by reviewing the in Google Docs.

Text, Articles, and Documents: From initial scanning and setting your purpose to active reading techniques suchs as questioning, highlighting, annotation and summarizing and identifying tools to assist with note-taking, this guide assists you with comprehension, post reading review, and application! Get started by reviewing theÌý in Google Docs.

Slide Presentations and Intructor Lectures: This guide includes information on identifying key sections, actively engaging with content and taking notes, visual analysis, post-lecture review, and much more! Get started by reviewing theÌýin Google Docs.Ìý

Websites: From familiarizing yourself with a website's layout and navigation, to active reading and viewing, critical thinking and questioning, to interactive learning and much more, this guide will assist you in deepening your understanding of and applying the content you have been given. Get started by reviewing theÌýÌýin Google Docs.Ìý

Applying Your Knowledge - Completing Course Activities

In your course, you will find activities to assess our understanding of the course content. As you complete these activities, reflect on your expereinces, educaon, and professional goal. The more you can make your studeis relevant to your life, the more you will be able to benefit from your work! The following links will provide tips on complting various types of cours activites.Ìý

Asignments and Projects: Review theÌý Ìýin Google Docs.

Discussions: Review the (guide link coming soon)Ìýin Google Docs.

Quizzes and Exams: Review the (guide link coming soon)Ìýin Google Docs.

Surveys: Review the (guide link coming soon)Ìýin Google Docs.

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Ìý Íæż½ã½ã Online (D2L Brightspace)

Íæż½ã½ã Online (powered byÌý ) is the course management system used at Íæż½ã½ã to provide online courses, hybrid courses, and supplements to face-to-face courses. Login to Íæż½ã½ã Online (using your WIU ecom username and password) by choosing Íæż½ã½ã Online under the portal link on the WIU Homepage.Ìý ÌýWhen you get logged in you will see your homepage with a listing of courses that you are enrolled in for the semester.Ìý Your professor should indicate in their syllabus if they will be using Íæż½ã½ã Online.Ìý We recommend that all new students register for and complete the Íæż½ã½ã Online Student Orientation to familiarize themselves with using Íæż½ã½ã Online prior to classes.Ìý Information for registering and completing this orientation is available atÌý .ÌýÌý

Visit WIU's Íæż½ã½ã OnlineÌý On Demand Documentation and Videos .Ìý

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Ìý ZoomÌý

Zoom is a video conferencing tool already used by many instructors for videoconference and Live Streaming courses.Ìý
All WIU students, faculty, and staff have an enterprise Zoom meeting account.Ìý Visit wiu.edu/zoom to sign in using your Ecom username and password.Ìý

Additional information is available at theÌýÌý

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Ìý

Google Apps for Education

Íæż½ã½ã uses Google Workspace (formerly G Suite).Ìý In addition to email, all WIU students have access to a multitude of Google Apps, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and more!ÌýÌý

To log in, visit the WIU Homepage, then click on the myWiu drop-down menu at the top of the page, then choose Email. Log in with your WIU ECom username and password.Ìý

Additional information is available at the .

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Microsoft Office 365

Every student at Íæż½ã½ã has a Microsoft 365 account that can be downloaded and installed on their Windows or Mac OSX computers. ÌýIncluded apps include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and various other tools for Windows users.Ìý

To log in visit , and log in with your WIU Email address and ECom password.Ìý

  • Microsoft Word Training (|)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Training (|)

Training on additional applications can be found at the website.Ìý

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Taking Online Exams

Some of your instructors may decide to use Respondus Lockdown Browser and/or Monitor to administer exams.Ìý If your instructor decides to use this tool refer to the resources below.

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Online Course Evaluation System

WIU students have the same opportunity to evaluate online courses as their face-to-face courses.Ìý TheÌýÌýSystem may also be accessed from within Íæż½ã½ã Online.

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