Getting Connected to Your Online Classroom

Your first time to access an online course? Here is a checklist of things you need to have:

• Minimum Computer/hardware Requirements : At least a Pentium-class computer, printer, Acrobat Reader (a free download), Windows Media Player (usually comes with your computer, but also a free download), access to a fax machine. Browser: Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher is best, Netscape 7.0 or higher is okay, too.
• Internet Access : Phone access, like Earthlink is fine, but many people have reported problems using AOL. You may want to explore other ISPs (Internet Service Providers). Cable access or DSL is much faster.
• Time: College course rule of thumb: three hours of online time with nine hours of offline work per week. Online courses take at least the same amount of time as face-to-face classes. The convenience of being able to choose when you spend those hours is the best part - but the time factor is still there!

Here is a checklist of First Time stuff to get you connected to your online classroom. It is best to go through them in sequence:

• Open a second browser window, so you can look at two different websites at the same time. One website will be these directions and the other site is the one where you actually do the stuff (set passwords, find schedules, find your class, etc...)
• Access TOPNET : You need to do this first, because this is the first place to set your password(s there are several, so make sure you have a secure place to write them down!) This is also a great place to mark in your browser, because you will use this site to do all the things that college students use to stand in line to do - pay your tuition, register for classes, check your transcript and final grades.
• WKU Email Account: Every student is automatically given an email account. This is important for two reasons:
  1. You will use THIS username and password to login to your online classroom.
  2. All university business and class business will be sent to this address.
• Login to your Course
• Buy Your Textbooks

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