WCTS JUMPBAR>> HELP ME! TRAINING DOCUMENTATION NEWS SERVICES RESOURCES ABOUT WCTS

The Newsletter of Whitman College's Technology Services August 2001 Edition

A FEW SUGGESTIONS

Web-based training

WCTS offers web-based technology training for all Whitman College students, faculty, and staff.

Element K is an on-line training subscription, available to Whitman Faculty, Students and Staff. This web based training subscription allows you to take a course at your own pace from any networked computer that uses a web browser. The list of available courses changes as new software becomes available. Some course topics include desktop applications, database, graphic design, and web authoring applications.

Enrollment: To use Element K, you need a login and password to give you access to the web site. A login is obtained by sending a request to training@whitman.edu. This login is given to you for a period of one month and can be extended as needed. As you take courses, the Element K web site will track your progress and list your completed courses. Some courses have an on-line assessment that recommends which courses or course sections you need. Because of our license agreement, these courses can only be viewed using computers that are on the Whitman campus network.

Setup: Only a standard web browser and plug-ins are required to use the training courses. All public lab computers at Whitman are set up with the required plug-ins. The Element K web site notifes you if your machine needs the plug-in and assist you with the download and installation.

Taking a course: Once you have a login and password (see Enrollment), go to http://www.elementk.com and sign in with your login and password. On the “My Courses page”, click on the “Course Catalog” link. You can then choose a course to take. Some courses are self-study and some are instructor-led. Only self-study courses are available at this time. You can take an assessment to help identify where your skill gaps are. To do this, go to the “My Courses” page and click on the “Course Catalog” link. Courses that include assessments are labeled after you will have completed the assessment a training path will be recommended. Element K keeps track of your completed courses. You will be able to view your progress.

Logging out of Element K: When you are done with a training session, be sure to click the Logout button on the bottom left of the Element K window.

Help with Element K: Element K provides extensive help. Each page has a "help" link you can click on for assistance. For Whitman-specific Element K questions, send e-mail to training@whitman.edu or go to http://wcts.whitman.edu/training and click on the Element K link.

Dos and Don'ts in the Labs

There are only a few rules in the computer labs, and these rules are designed to help you to get your work done efficiently and peacefully.

• Do not use food, beverages, or tobacco in the labs. You can leave these items at the door or in the Consultant office.
• The labs are only for use by members of the Whitman Community.
• Equipment and facilities are for legitimate academic use only.
• Equipment is first come, first served, and cannot be reserved by students without recommendation of a professor and permission from WCTS .
• If you leave a computer unattended for more than 20 minutes, you forfeit its use.
• Do not reconfigure the machines (including external connections) or alter other people’s files without permission.
• Do not disturb other users with excessive noise.
• Save your work on a floppy disk. The hard drives are frequently cleaned.
• Do not print multiple copies. Copy machines are available in Penrose Memorial Library for student use.
• The computer labs are occasionally reserved for instructional purposes. Such arrangements will be posted in advance on the door of the lab. You must leave before a scheduled class or workshop begins, unless the instructor gives you permission to stay.

Code Red Alert

If you plan to set up your computer as a Web server, contact WCTS first!

We have important information you will need to protect yourself online. We can help you avoid the Code Red Worm and many other Internet launched threats.

Table of Contents