Technology On-Campus: Your Gateway to Learning

At UW-W whitewater, we are proud to be able to offer all our students access to state-of-the-art software, hardware, and computing facilities: think of them as your gateway to learning. This page brings together, in one convenient location, the essential web access points to information about technology resources available to students on UW-W campus. It doesn't cover everything - rather, it's a starting point for your own explorations.

Beginning on September 01, 2009, you can also watch the "Technology: Your Gateway to Learning" orientation session (25 minutes) presented to all incoming freshmen during the 2009 Club U-Dub-Dub at the Young Auditorium. The presentation is available for download from iTunes U, and requires the free Apple iTunes software. iTunes is installed on workstations in all General Access Labs on campus, and can also be downloaded for free from Apple web site.

Below, you can also read an abbreviated summary listing of technology resources available to students on campus, and accompanied by links to web pages with further information and additional resources.

READ MORE ABOUT:

NET-ID | E-MAIL | PERSONAL (OWA) CALENDAR | DEADLINES |

REGISTERING FOR CLASSES | STORAGE | BUYING COMPUTERS |

BUYING SOFTWARE | COMPUTER LABS | D2L | CLICKERS |

iTUNES U | HELPDESK |

What is Net-ID, and what do I use it for? (top)

LINKS - Initial password setup & password change / reset page: password.uww.edu;
HawkCard (student ID Card) Office: http://uc.uww.edu/hawkcard/

Your Net-ID is a combination of username and password that gives you access to many online services at UW-Whitewater. Logging-in with your Net-ID will let you: use workstations at computer labs on campus; access your e-mail and calendar account; access your files, such as paper or lecture notes; log-into D2L, UW-W's online course management software; register for classes, add or drop classes, and manage your class schedule; change your mailing address; and access your financial information, including tuition payments, to mention just a few among many important services you can access with your Net-ID.

Your Net-ID username usually includes up to 8 first letters of your last name, followed by your first name initial, middle name initial, and the day of your birth (so username for Michael J. Smith, born on Sept 23, 1991, would be smithjm23). If you are not sure what your Net-ID username is, you can check it here ( ) - you will need your student ID card (aka HawkCard), with your student ID number on it (your id number is the 7-digit number in the middle of the number sequence).

When you use your Net-ID to log-in for the fist time, your default password is the same7-digit ID number, which you can find on your student ID card ( aka HawkCard), mentioned above. After logging-in for the first time you will also be asked to set-up "challenge questions" - in the future, if you forget your password, simply go to password.uww.edu, click "Forgot password?," and follow the instructions - knowing the answers to your challenge questions will let you reset your password, and log-in.

You should NEVER share your Net-ID password with anyone: UW-W staff will never ask you for your password, so if you ever receive such a request (for example, in an e-mail that claims to be from the University), it is NOT legitimate, and you should NOT respond.

For security reasons, you will need to change your Net-ID password twice a year (once every 180 days). You will get an e-mail reminder when your current password is about to expire. You can also change your Net-ID password at any time when you think it may have been compromised.

Never click any links in any e-mail that encourages you to reset or change your password by clicking on a link - instead, if you want to change your password, in your browser go to password.uww.edu, log-in, and follow instructions.

You may report any e-mails that ask you for your password to the Helpdesk at helpdesk@uww.edu or by phone to 262-472-HELP (-4357). On campus phones, you can dial extension HELP (4357).

Letting us know will help us warn others about such phishing attacks.

How do I access and use my UW-W e-mail? (top)

LINK for e-mail access: post.uww.edu or access it from the main
UW-Whitewater home page (http://www.uww.edu - click the link in the top right corner)

One business day after your PREVIEW session, your UW-W e-mail account will be active and accessible. You should check your UW-W e-mail regularly, because it is used by instructors and University administration to send you important messages and updates.

You access your UW-W student e-mail using Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA), which works directly in your web browser (Explorer, Fire Fox, or Safari), so there is nothing to download or install. Using OWA, you can access your e-mail from anywhere where you have Internet access. You will need to log-in with your Net-ID. Although OWA is accessible through Fire Fox and Safari, you will need Microsoft Internet Explorer to access all of its features.

How can I keep track of my course schedule and appointments? (top)

LINK: OWA Personal Calendar Access at post.uww.edu

Logging into your e-mail also gives you access to online calendar, which you may want to use to plan your schedule and manage deadlines, course assignments, and personal appointments and dates. To find out more about how to use your personal calendar in OWA, go to http://www.uww.edu/icit/training/studentcalendar.html.

How do I find out about important academic deadlines? (top)

LINK: Online Events Calendar (events.uww.edu), and a web page (http://www.uww.edu/icit/training/ws_events.html) with more detailed information for students, faculty and staff.

How do I register for classes? What is WINS, and how do I use it? (top)

LINK: WINS Access: uwwins.uww.edu
Videos on how to use WINS on iTunes U, and printable handouts (PDFs) from the Registrar's Office.

To register for courses, add or drop classes, request transcripts, and access many other administrative functions that let you manage course enrollment, addresses, and finances, you will need to use an online program called WINS. The details of using WINS to register for classes are explained during Plan-It-Purple (PIP) orientation sessions for new and transfer students. You can watch a 20-minute video of fall 2009 PIP presentation for transfer students on iTunes U (this link will launch iTunes on your machine).

If you want to find out how to use WINS for a specific purpose (for example, to request a copy of your transcript), check out detailed, step-by-step handouts published by the Registrar's office, or watch any of the 16 short (2-4 minutes) videos about using WINS on iTunes U.

Where can I keep my computer files, such as papers, notes, and so on? (top)

LINK: Student Storage Access (StuStorage): stustorage.uww.edu

You can store your personal files (such as class papers and other assignments, lecture notes, and so on), and also publish a web site or post publicly accessible files to be shared with others on student storage space (StuStorage) provided by WU-W.

You can access documents stored on the personal space from anywhere where you have Internet connection (a computer lab on campus, classroom, home, or a coffee-shop miles away). This eliminates the need for carrying storage devices like USB flash drives. 1 Gb of space is provided for storing personal files. An additional 500mb of space is provided for public files such as web pages and documents you want to make available to to others.

Stustorage accounts are created automatically, by self request. Go to https://dfsman.uww.edu/Registration/, log-in with your Net-ID, and follow instructions.

Where can I buy a computer using an educational discount? How do I know what computer to get? Or if the one I have will work well on campus? (top)

LINK to the 4U program web page

UW-Whitewater has a computer purchasing program which lets you buy computer hardware (and software) at substantially discounted prices. We offer both Windows PCs and Macs, and all computers purchased through the 4U program fulfill the minimum hardware requirements, which means that you will be able to take full advantage of all technology tools our campus has to offer, such as campus-wide wi-fi coverage.

Even if you are not interested in buying a computer (perhaps you already have one, or plan to buy it elsewhere), 4U pages are still worth a visit: they list the minimum hardware requirements that your computer should fulfill to work well on campus (for example, wi-fi cards that will let you connect to our network).

If you know what your major/minor will be, it may be a good idea to touch base with your major department before committing to a new computer purchase: some departments have specific hardware or software preferences or recommendations, and you should take these into account before making the final decision on what to buy.

Where can I buy software for my computer using educational discount? (top)

LINK: Find out more about substantial educational discounts on software for UW students at http://wiscsoftware.wisc.edu/wisc/

Do I have to buy anything at all (a computer or software)? (top)

LINK: Lab facilities on campus, their locations, and hours at http://www.uww.edu/icit/labs/.

NOPE. State-of-the-art computing facilities are available on campus to all UW-W students!

UW-W campus has several computer labs with hardware(both Windows and Mac machines) and software that is likely to meet all of your coursework-related computing needs. And although it may be convenient to have your own computer, there is no requirement or need to purchase anything. Computer labs on campus are open more than 90 hours per week, and have extended hours during particularly busy times (exam week). In addition to general-access labs, there are many departmental labs with workstations equipped with specialized software your department may ask you to use for some projects.

In addition to individual workstations, general access computer labs have partner pods - large-screen computer workstations, with several, easily movable chairs, perfect for working on a small group class project that involves 2-4 students.

There are also collaboratories (or "collabs"), small conference rooms with meeting tables, a wall screen and multimedia projector, a smart-board, and wired and wireless Internet access. Collabs are perfect for preparing and practicing important class presentations and brainstorming on group projects. Collabs are available at the Andersen Library General Access Lab and also inside the Library area, and can be reserved by groups of students for up to 3 hours at a time, on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is D2L and how do I learn how to use it? (top)

LINKS: Log-in to D2L (https://www.uww.edu/desire2learn/). For help when you experience problems with D2L go here.

D2L (short for Desire to Learn) is UW-W's online course management software. Although not all instructors use D2L, over 80% of UW-W courses have a D2L component, so there is a good chance you will need to use D2L for one or more of your courses. D2L runs in your browser, so no additional software needs to be downloaded or installed.

What is available on D2L for each of your courses depends on your individual instructors. Some instructors post the course schedule with assignments and deadlines online, some include reading materials, assignments, or handouts. Some instructors will ask you to upload your completed assignments as electronic files (for example, term papers as MS Word files), and some may ask you to take online quizzes or exams.

Although the extent to which D2L is used in each class will vary, most instructors will explain how it will be used in their class, and what the expectations are, at the beginning of each semester.

What are clickers, and do I need one? (top)

LINKS: For more information about clickers, go to iCIT Clickers Web Page (http://www.uww.edu/icit/ltc/resources/srs/students/index.html). To Register your clicker click here.

The Turning Point Keypad [aka Clicker] is a very small device that is roughly the size of a credit card and weighs about 1 oz. A clicker lets you respond interactively to your instructor's questions during class, by pressing the appropriate button. Your answer is transmitted wirelessly, and recorded. Some instructors require clickers for their courses and use them for for taking attendance, polling students' opinions in large courses, or for quick quizzes during lectures.

The University Book Store (UBS) sells both new and used clickers. You will only need one clicker for all of your courses. Since there are different types of clickers, and manufacturers, it is important to buy your clicker from the UBS, rather than sources such as eBay or online sellers: otherwise you may spend the money buying something that will not work with the system used on campus. The UBS resells all used clickers with new batteries, and also sells and installs replacement batteries for a small fee. If you need a replacement battery, check with the bookstore first - depending on when you bought your clicker, you may be eligible for a free battery replacement.

The UBS also has the right tools which will not damage the screws on the clicker - that would make it impossible to re-sell if when you don't need it anymore.

For a clicker to work correctly, it needs to be registered with the system: it is a simple process you complete online, using your clicker's unique ID number. Regardless of how many of your courses each semester use clickers, you will only need to register your clicker once at the beginning of each semester (or, when you get a new clicker).

How can I learn more about technology resources on campus? (top)

LINKS: Some UW-W computing technology resources are available on iTunes U
(note: this link will start iTunes software on your computer).
The most recent version of this page is located at http://www.uww.edu/icit/training/welcomestudents.html.

If you are reading a printed version of this page, please take a moment to check that you are reading the most recent version (this is version 1.0 of this document). The most up to date version of this page can always be found online (see link above).

Other useful information can be found on the iCIT web site, and on UW-Whitewater section of iTunes U.

Where do I go if I run across a technology problem I can't figure out by myself? (top)

LINK/CONTACT: For Helpdesk information go to http://www.uww.edu/icit/helpdesk/.
You can contact the helpdesk by e-mail at helpdesk@uww.edu, or by phone at 262-472-HELP (-4357).
On campus phones, you can simply dial extension HELP (4357).

Helpdesk is the campus go-to place for technical support. Helpdesk can offer e-mail and over-the-phone assistance in troubleshooting the most common software and hardware problems, including questions about common software used on campus (for example Outlook Web Access or MS Office). Helpdesk also provides assistance with password problems. If resetting the password is necessary,you will be asked to come to the Helpdesk counter in person. Helpdesk is located in the Andersen Library building, opposite end of the hallway relative to the actual library entrance).