Web Courses Faculty Frequently Asked Questions

Course Assistance

How do I create or delete a Web Course?

Instructors can create and delete a course through the Course Creation and Update form.

Why can't students locate my course?

Before students are able to access your course, you will need to make it available by going into the Control Panel under Course Options and click on Settings and set the availability under Course Availability.

How do I set Enrollment Options?

You may set Self Enrollment for your Web Course by going into the Control Panel under Course Options and click on Settings/Enrollment Options. Select the radio button next to Self Enrollment and if desired, set the enrollment window dates by checking the boxes to the left of start date and end date. Be sure to set the dates to ensure your self enrollment date window is correct.

How do I add my Web Course to another school's catalog?

You may have your course added to another school's course catalog for access by students from another school. This is helpful when you are visiting another school to teach a Web Course. Simply fill out this form.

How do I control which sections of my web course are available to others?

Select Manage Tools from the Course Options portion of the Control Panel. Select Enable Blackboard Tools and check the boxes next to the sections you would like to enable, allow guest to view or allow observers to view. Next select Enable Extension Tools from the Manage Tools section and repeat the above process.

How can I test my course from a student's perspective to see what they see?

Request a test student LexisNexis ID from your LexisNexis Account Rep or call LexisNexis Customer Support at 800-45-LEXIS.

What is a Task List and how do I create one?

The Tasks page is a place where you can organize projects or activities (i.e. tasks). These tasks may be arranged by priority and you may track the status of the tasks. Each user may post personal tasks to their page and Instructors and other course managers may post tasks to users that are participating in their course. Task information is arranged in columns that display the priority, task name, status and due date.

Tasks may be added or modified by clicking on Tasks in the Course Tools section of the Control Panel. To add a task, click on Add Task and to modify a task, click on Modify next to the task.

How much space is available for my course on LexisNexis Web Courses?

Currently, there is no limit to the amount of space that your course uses.

How can I set one of my students so they will be able to assist in grading tests?

Set the student's role to Grader through the Control Panel, User Management, List/Modify Users, click on Search, then click on the Properties button to the right of the name of the user you wish to modify. Select the role desired and then click Submit.

How do I get citations to link to LexisNexis in my course?

Either use the LexisNexis Links found under the Tools button, or run the document through LEXLinkT.

What types of information/documents can I post in my course?

Basically, any type of file can be posted as an attachment into Web Courses. Just make sure that the enrolled user has access to the software necessary to load the document or open the file.

Supported digital media formats are:

Graphics: GIF and JPEG
Video: MPEG, Quicktime, AVI
Audio: WAV and AIFF
Multimedia: Shockwave Flash

What is the difference between Smart Text, Plain Text, and HTML?

Smart Text: Automatically recognizes a hot link if it is the first thing entered in the text box or if it preceded by a single space. The benefit of smart text is that it recognizes the Enter key as a paragraph tag. Smart text accepts HTML tags as well. You can enter line and paragraph breaks as you desire simply by typing. Web addresses entered in the URL format are automatically converted to links. For this to function the URL must begin with "http://" and there must be a space before the "http://" to distinguish it from the previous word. If an image tag is entered in Smart Text, Blackboard will automatically prompt you to upload the image. NOTE: This only works when the Blackboard document is first created; it does not work when modifying an existing document.

Plain Text: Displays text as written. HTML codes will show as text only.

HTML: Displays text as coded using HTML tags. Renders all HTML tags.

What size picture can I post on my Faculty Info Page?

The recommended size is 150 by 150 pixels.

Can I reuse my course from last semester instead of creating a new one?

Yes, you can recycle your course, but you may want to archive it first.

To archive your course, select Archive Course from the Course Options section of the Control Panel.

To recycle your course, select Recycle Course from the Course Options section of the Control Panel. Select any information you wish to delete from this course and click Submit.

How do I copy content in my Web Course? Why is this feature not working?

Instructors may copy content between courses they are teaching. To do this, click on Course Copy in the Course Options portion of the Control Panel. Select the Course ID for the course that you would like to copy to and select one or more areas of the course to copy to the destination course.

Instructors can only copy materials into a course where the Instructor has the role of Instructor, Course Builder, or Teaching Assistant.

How do I link to other pages within my web course as well as pages outside of my course?

The Course Link page enables the instructor to add a link to another area within the course site. To do so, click on Manage Course Menu under Course Options in the Control Panel. Click on Add Course Link and enter a name for the area. Click on Browse and the Course Map will appear. Select the folder or item within the Course Map to link to and click on Submit.

The External Link page allows the Instructor to add an External Link to the course they are teaching. To do this, click on Manage Course Menu under Course Options in the Control Panel. Click on Add External Link and enter a name for the area. Enter the web site address you wish to link to, but remember to type http:// in front of the web page address, i.e., http://www.lexisnexis.com and not just www.lexisnexis.com.

What is the difference between export, archive, copy, and recycle for a course?

Export: Export takes course content and puts it in a package that can be used in another course at a later date. Instructors can choose one or more course areas they would like to include in the package.

Copy: Course Copy enables Instructors to copy content between courses they are teaching. Instructors open the course they would like to copy content from and then select areas to another course to copy into. Instructors can only copy course content for courses where they are the Instructor, Course Builder or Teaching Assistant.

Recycle: The Course Recycle is very useful to Instructors at the end of a course. It allows the Instructor to select information to be deleted from a course and saves the rest of the course areas for future use.

Archive: The Archive Course function enables the Instructor to make a record of a course, including all of the user information. The archive is saved in a .ZIP file that the Instructor can access in the future.

What is the difference between Guest and Observer Access?

A guest may view areas of your course, however may not participate in any way. You may allow guest access as well as choose what sections of your course a guest is able to view.

An observer is one who may observe a specific user within the system. You may allow observer access as well as choose what sections of your course an observer is able to view.

Course Enrollment/Access

How do students gain access to LexisNexis Web Courses?

Students must first register their LexisNexis ID using Law Student ID Registration at http://www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool/register.

Direct students to http://www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool/webcourses/, sign-on, and click on the Login button. Next click on Browse Course Catalog and click on their school name, then find your course listed within the catalog.

PLEASE NOTE that in order to make the course appear in the course catalog, Instructors must set the course to "available". Students may enroll by clicking on the Enroll button next to your course if you have turned on "Self Enrollment".  If you added an Access Code for the "Self Enrollment" option, the student will have to know and enter the Access Code before they can enroll into your course.

Why can't students locate my course?

Before students are able to access your course, you will need to make it available by going into the Control Panel under Course Options and click on Settings and set the availability under Course Availability.

If you selected Self Enrollment when creating your Web Course, check the dates of availability to ensure your self enrollment date window is correct.

How do I add or enroll students into my course? What is the difference between Instructor/Admin and Student enrollment?

Within the Control Panel, under Course Options click on Settings and select Enrollment Options. Decide which method of enrollment you plan on utilizing, Instructor/Admin or Self Enrollment:

Instructor/Admin - Allows you to select from a list of students who have completed their registration on the LexisNexis Law School registration web site or receive emails from interested students who wish to enroll in your course. You can select from a list of students by selecting Enroll Users from the User Management section of the Control Panel.  Emails from interested students will arrive in your email inbox after the student clicks on the "Enroll" button listed next to your course in the school's course catalog if you selected the "Instructor/Admin" option and checked the box next to "Allow interested Students to e-mail requests to Instructor".

Self Enrollment - Allows the student to find your class from the list of courses under the Course Catalog for your school and enroll into your class by clicking on the Enroll button next to your class. As the instructor, you must set enrollment start and end dates for your class. You may set an enrollment period by checking the box to the left of the date fields and then selecting the Starting Date and Ending Date. For additional security, you may want to set an Access Code.

What is the time frame for student led enrollment (enrollment period)?

You may set an enrollment period by checking the box to the left of the date fields and then selecting the Starting Date and Ending Date.

What are the different roles, e.g. Instructor or Student, a person can have within Web Courses?

The following course roles are available:

Student: User is able to access all available course content and will be graded on assessments.

Instructor: User is able to control all aspects of the course through the Instructor Control Panel.

Teacher's Assistant: User is able to control most aspects of the course through the Instructor Control Panel. A Teacher's Assistant cannot access Course Marketing.

Grader: User is able to access all areas under Assessments.

Course Builder: User is able to add content to the course through the Content Areas and the Course Tools on the Instructor Control Panel.

Guest: Users are able to view areas of the course, but cannot participate in any way.

Observer:  User Role for any user assigned to observe another.

Why can't I see the Enroll button after I turn on self enrollment?

If you are already enrolled, registered in a course, or are teaching the course, you will not see an Enroll button. Those who are not enrolled, registered, or teaching the course, will see an Enroll button.

If you would like to test the enroll button, request a test student LexisNexis ID from your LexisNexis Account Rep or call LexisNexis Customer Support at 800-45-LEXIS.

Can I enroll multiple students into my course at once?

This option is not currently available.

Is there a way to prevent students who are not registered in my class from self enrolling themselves into my class?

You may choose the Instructor/Admin option and enroll students yourself, and/or if you clicked the box next to "Allow interested Students to e-mail requests to Instructor", you will be emailed a link to enroll the students into your course.

Secure Self Enrollment can be accomplished by entering an Access Code and communicate the access code only to those students you wish to enroll in your course. This keeps unwanted registrants out of your course.

How do I set an access code for the self enrollment feature?

When you select Self Enrollment from beneath Enrollment Options you will be given the option of setting an access code merely by entering the code you desire to use in the access code box and checking the box to the left. This will only allow students to enroll if they have been given the access code.

I have tried setting my course to make it available for guests but I still don't see a Preview button. Why?

If you are already enrolled, registered in a course, or are teaching the course, you will not see a Preview button. Those who are not enrolled, registered, or teaching the course, will see a Preview button. If you would like to test the enroll button, request a test student LexisNexis ID from your LexisNexis Account Rep or call LexisNexis Customer Support at 800-45-LEXIS.

Adding Additional Instructors/Assistants

Are faculty, librarians, or school staff able to gain access to LexisNexis Web Courses if they are not teaching a course that utilizes LexisNexis Web Courses?

Faculty, librarians, and staff must register their Law School LexisNexis IDs through Faculty Registration.

Each person may login to LexisNexis Web Courses using their LexisNexis ID. Each individual can then enroll in a course at their school if permitted by the instructor, or an instructor can add them to a course.

Individuals who do not have access to LexisNexis Web Courses can preview the courses simply by going to http://webcourses.lexisnexis.com/webapps/portal/custom/login.jsp and click the Preview button.  Select the Courses tab and then select Browse Course Catalog, then select one of the courses available to you by clicking the Preview button  on the right hand side of the screen to begin viewing a Web Course. The only courses in view will be those listed under LexisNexis, LexisNexis Casebooks - Supplemental Support  and National Web Courses catalogs.

Can anyone access my course as a guest (including other faculty/librarians/school staff), even those without LexisNexis IDs?

Guest privileges must be turned on in order for guests to have access to your course. To turn on guest access, click on Settings within the Course Options section of the Control Panel. From here, click on Guest Access, check the radio button next to Yes and then click Submit.

PLEASE NOTE that guests will only be available to view certain sections of your course.  Individuals without LexisNexis IDs can contact LexisNexis Customer Support at 800-45-LEXIS to obtain access to LexisNexis Web Courses as a guest.

What areas of my course are guests, observers, and others able to see?

To set the sections you desire to be available to guests, select Manage Tools under the Course Options section of the Control Panel. Select Enable Blackboard Tools and check the boxes under Allow Guest for those sections you desire the guest to view. There are sections marked n/a that will not be available for guest view. Once finished, select Enable Extension Tools within the Manage Tools section and repeat the above process.

Repeat the same process above for observers and others.

How do I add another instructor or assistant (including student assistants) to my course?

Be certain that members have a valid law school LexisNexis ID, and have registered the ID.  They can then enroll into your course or you can add them to it. Once added, you will need to modify their role to the appropriate level, depending on how you wish the individual(s) to assist you.

You can do this by selecting List/Modify Users from the User Management section of the Control Panel. Find the user's name who's role you would like to update by:

1) type in the last name, and click Search,

or

2) Click the Search button to bring up the list from your school, then check the box next to the name

After you select the user's name, click on Properties and scroll down to item 4: Role and Availability and select the user's role by checking the radio button next to the role you desire. When finished, click Submit.

Discussion Boards and Digital Drop Box

How can I search for a specific topic in my Discussion Board?

Be sure to start from the main page of your course. Select Discussion Board from the Course Navigation Menu. Next click on the discussion you would like to search. Lastly, click Search on the right side of your screen.

How do I archive threads in my Discussion Board?

Simply select Discussion Board within the Course Tools section on the Control Panel. Click on the link of the discussion forum you wish to archive and select Click Here for Archives link. Click on the Add Archive button and provide a Title and Description and click on the Submit button.

Next, click on the Modify button located to the right of the archive title. Check the boxes next to the discussion threads you wish to move into the archive. Click the Submit button to complete the process.

What is the Digital Drop Box and how do I use it?

This tool provides a way for instructors and students to exchange files. To do this, make sure that your drop box is "turned on". To "turn on" the Digital Drop Box, select Manage Tools from the Course Options section of the Control Panel. Scroll down to Drop Box and make sure the box is check to ensure that this feature is enabled.

To add or send a file, select Digital Drop Box from the Course Tools section of the Control Panel. Click Add File or Send File depending on which you desire to do.

Gradebook

Why do student's grades come up blank when my Online Gradebook is loaded with grades and the course settings are set to allow students to check their grades?

Your gradebook item(s) may be set to be "non-visible".

To check the visibility setting of your gradebook item(s), click on Gradebook within the Assessment section of the Control Panel. Click on the document containing the grades or information you wish to be visible and then select Item Information. Under "Option 2" make sure the radio button is set to "Yes" next to Make item visible to students.

How can I allow students to retake exams when they lose their connection?

By going into the Online Gradebook through the Spreadsheet View, clicking on the question mark "?" which indicates the student had problems completing the exam or there was a grading error, then click on Clear Attempt button.