TopNet Functions

All of the functions outlined below are accessed via the "Faculty Services" menu of TopNet, and their instructions pick up at that point. To access the "Faculty Services" menu, logon to TopNet at <https://acsapps.wku.edu/pls/prod/twbkwbis.P_WKULogin?ret_code=5> using your "800" number as the "WKU ID" and your six-digit PIN. (Note that your PIN is not your e-mail password.) At the "TopNet Bulletin Board," click the "Continue Login" button, bottom center. Select "Faculty Services."

How to POST A SYLLABUS

Select "Course Syllabi Maintenance."

Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate semester, and click the "Submit" button.

Use the "Instructor" drop-down menu to find your name, then click on the "-GO-" button.

A syllabus can be posted either by creating a link (if the syllabus is online as a web page) or uploading a file.

To post via web page link, copy and paste the appropriate URL in the "Syllabi URL" box corresponding with the appropriate course section.

To post via upload, click the "Upload" button, browse to select the appropriate file, and click on the "Upload" button.

You must click the "Save Changes" button to finalize any action on the "Syllabi Maintenance" page.

How to GET A CLASS ROLL

Select "Term Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate semester, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "CRN Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate course, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "Summary Class List."

The web page may be printed directly, or the "Download to Excel" button can be used to open the roll as an Excel file, which allows for modifications prior to printing.

How to E-MAIL AN ENTIRE CLASS or PART OF A CLASS

NOTE: Messages sent en masse via TopNet do not identify themselves as such automatically. That is, any individual recipient will likely assume the message is directed specifically to the recipient alone unless the text of the message indicates otherwise. (A list of other recipients is not included with the message when this TopNet function is used, though the instructor's copy will contain the full list of recipients.) A good point of etiquette is to include an opening line indicating that the message is addressed to the full class.

Select "Term Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate semester, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "CRN Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate course, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "Summary Class List."

Click "E-Mail Entire Class." A window opens with a pre-completed recipient list and sender identification. Spaces are available for the subject line, the message body, and attachments.

To e-mail the entire class, no alteration of the "Send To:" field is necessary.

To e-mail only a portion of the class, delete extraneous addresses from the "Send To:" field.

Complete the message and click on the "Send Mail" button at the bottom of the page.

You should receive confirmation that the message was sent, both as a window message in TopNet and by a copy of the message in your WKU e-mail.

How to DROP FOR NON-ATTENDANCE

Students who do not attend classes at the beginning of the semester and who have made no previous arrangements with the instructor MAY be dropped for non-attendance at the discretion of the teacher. For classes that meet more than once per week, any student who has not appeared in either of the first TWO class meetings may be dropped. For courses that meet only once per week, students who miss the first class meeting may be dropped. The deadline for dropping students for non-attendance is early the second week of classes. (The specific date is always well-advertised.) If no drops are to be made, no action is required of faculty.

Select "Term Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate semester, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "CRN Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate course, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "Drop for Non-Attendance Worksheet."

On the worksheet page, use the drop-down menu by each student to be dropped to select "Drop For Non-Attendance."

When all intended drops have been selected, click the "Submit Drops" button.

How to COMPLETE A FIFTH-WEEK ASSESSMENT

The fifth-week assessment is conducted only for 100-level courses. It also involves only true freshmen, so the roll for this assessment may not include every student in a class. The assessment seeks feedback on individuals in two areas--grades and attendance. The grade response options are "Pass," "None," and "D/F." (The latter, of course, signals a problem.) The attendance response options (in "Excessive Absences Indicator") are "No," meaning no problems, and "Excessive Absences."

Select "Term Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate semester, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "Freshman 5 week assessment."

Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate CRN and click on the "Submit" button.

The roll that appears will have default responses indicating no problems. Use the drop-down menus to change any appropriate factors for individual students.

When all fields are set as they should be, click on the "Submit" button.

How to POST FINAL GRADES

Select "Term Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate semester, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "CRN Selection." Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate course, and click the "Submit" button.

Select "Final Grades."

Use the drop-down menu for each student to select the appropriate grade.

When all grade fields are set as they should be, click on the "Submit" button.

After submitting the grades, the option for generating a printable copy will appear.