Frequently Asked Questions

I’m interested in online courses. How do I find out more?
Go to the Distance Education and Outreach and linked pages. You will find there a great deal of information including courses offered, degrees offered, how to get started, etc. If you don’t find the information you need, e-mail distance.education@enmu.edu.

I’ve registered for an online class. What happens now?
You must log in to WebCT and start the course. (WebCT is the program used at ENMU to deliver most online courses.) Your instructor may not contact you. You are responsible for completing the work on your own. Be sure to note all due dates, test dates, etc. and abide by all rules posted in the course. Read every page in your WebCT course, to be sure haven’t missed anything.

How do I get a WebCT account?
Once you’ve been admitted and registered for an online course, you can activate your WebCT account from any computer connected to the Internet. For campus computers click the “Activate Accounts” icon on the desktop and follow the instructions. For off campus computers, go to https://wwws.enmu.edu/usermgt/ and follow the directions. After activating your account, it is important to print the page with your new password. You will only be able to view the password page once.

How do I log in to my WebCT account?
On campus, click on the WebCT icon on the desktop of any lab computer. Off campus, go to www.enmu.edu/webct, or on www.enmu.edu, click on “Current Students” and then “Log on to WebCT."

Where is the student manual for WebCT?
To get to the WebCT Student Manual, click on the “Tools” button inside any WebCT course, and then on “Manual."

Will my instructor contact me at the beginning of the course?
Not necessarily. Some classes require an introductory posting in the bulleting board, but if such actions are required it will be spelled out in the course syllabus or on the announcements board (viewable as the first page you see within the course.)

How do I get an e-mail account?
All ENMU students are provided with e-mail accounts. Activate your e-mail account. This is the policy agreement you used to activate your WebCT account.

Do I have to use my ENMU e-mail account for my WebCT class?
Although it is highly recommended that you use your ENMU e-mail address for your online courses, not all instructors require it. You should e-mail your instructor early in the course to be sure the e-mail address in WebCT is current and working. After your initial semester at ENMU, you should make sure your ENMU e-mail address is the one listed in your contact information at the Office of the Registrar.

When does the class start?
Online courses start the day classes begin. You may not be able to access the course before that date. Some professors load the course syllabus early, but assignments are generally not available to online students before they’re made available for traditional students.

I can log onto WebCT but I don’t’ see any classes listed. What’s wrong?
If the course has not begun yet, you need to wait until the official first day of class. If you are not able to get into the course on the first or second day of classes, you should contact the instructor to ask if there is a problem. If you registered late, you will need to let the instructor know as soon as possible, so that your name can be added to the WebCT rolls.

I live in another state; how do I get my books?
Books for distance education classes may be purchased from the ENMU Campus Bookstore via telephone by calling toll-free 877.499.2665 or locally 562.2721. A flat rate of $4 will be charged for shipping. Book requirements and prices are listed on the Campus Bookstore Web site. Click on “Textbooks” and then choose the term, course and section. When you choose the section (by instructors’ name) you will be shown the required book(s) for the course.

Where is the syllabus for my course?
The syllabus is within the WebCT course materials, usually under either the “Course Information” or the “Course Documents” link.

How will I take exams?
Most instructors use the online testing tools in WebCT, so you would take those tests online. Some prefer hand-written tests; in those cases, you may be required to find a local proctor such as a testing center to administer the tests. The instructor will receive the ungraded test from the proctor via mail. All ENMU ITV sites and branch campuses have trained proctors to administer tests. Some testing centers may charge you a nominal fee for the service.

What browsers will work with WebCT?
Although almost any browser will work with WebCT, students seem to experience fewer problems when using Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape. If you are an AOL user, you may find it easier to close the AOL browser after connecting, and use MSExplorer to log in to the course software.

Can I get financial aid if I take online courses?
Yes, financial aid is the same for all students, whether their classes are delivered face-to-face or at a distance.

Are online courses as good as classroom courses?
The content is at least as good, since all classes are evaluated by the same criteria. However, you should take into account your own learning style before registering for an online course; they require more reading, writing and self pacing than other courses.

What basic equipment do I need access to in order to take an online course?
You will need a modern computer with storage space, and an Internet connection. Read a more specific list of requirements.

How can I access the library resources? Who can I talk to for special requests?
Go to the Distance Education Library Services page. Information provided includes the name and contact information for a librarian who can help you with all of your library needs.

I forgot my password. Now what do I do?
Contact the help desk or call 800.FOR.ENMU and ask to be transferred to the Help Desk.

What's the difference between WebMail and WebCT?
Mail received through a web service, such as Hotmail or Yahoo, is often called WebMail. The ENMU e-mail account each student uses in the WebCT course is only a small part of the resources available; in other words, WebCT includes a variety of tools other than e-mail.

What's the digital drop box?
The digital drop box is a tool in WebCT that allows students to upload and then submit materials. It is a two-step process that is often confusing to students. The key is to remember that simply uploading the materials is only the first step; you still have to submit it in order for the instructor to receive it.

Will a faculty member always use WebCT for an online course?
No. Faculty are free to use outside web pages or even separate teaching software. However, the vast majority utilize only WebCT for the entire course.

What's the difference between ITV and WebCT?
Interactive Television (ITV) is broadcast via a microwave system to five sites in southeastern New Mexico. WebCT is a software program that is used to deliver courses anywhere in the world, through the Internet.

What's the difference between a Polycom session and ITV?
Polycom is a brand of video conferencing equipment; it allows two-way interactive video and audio to be used. ITV uses microwave systems to deliver a video and audio signal to distant sites, but the return signal is only audio; students push a microphone button to be heard by the professor, who never sees them. ITV signals are only sent to sites equipped to pick up the microwave signal. Polycom signals (or any other Internet-protocol video conferencing system) can be delivered to anywhere in the world with a receive system.