The assignments are posted on the course WEB site.  You need to open the assignment in a browser, then save it in an editor that can save it in an appropriate file format   For most assignments, the assignments should be saved in html or in Word or WordPerfect formats.   Some, however, may be done in Excel *.xls format or another format.   One editor you can use is Netscape Composer.  Once you have the file opened in the Netscape Browser, you can open it in composer by clicking on "file" and then on "edit file."  If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, you should click on "edit" or "file" (depending on the version you have) and open the file in Microsoft Frontpage or Frontpage Express or in Microsoft Word (depending again on the version you have).  The Explorer on the new computers in the computer center are tied into Microsoft Word.

When you have finished typing your answers to the assignment, save it either on a floppy disk, on your hard drive, or on your "h" drive on the clam system.  If you save it on clam, save it in the directory called "html working draft."  Never save directly to your html directory.  If you do this, you will reset the security parameters on your html directory, and you will have to go through a procedure to reset them.  You can find instructions for doing this on my "Using Rutgers Computers Systems in My Classes" page.
 
 

Note:  WEBCT will not accept files that have blanks in the file name.  Do not call your assignment something like:  Force Field.doc, call it something like ForceField.doc.    Microsoft Word likes to create long file names with blank space, but they don't work with WEBCT.

Once your assignment is done, you need to submit it to the Assignment Dropbox on  WEBCT.  Use your clam username and password to log onto WEBCT.  Check and see if the course you are taking is already listed under courses.  If so, you are already enrolled.  If not, click on "add course," find the course under 920:sociology or 202:criminal justice and add it.

Important note:  make sure you are satisfied with your assignment before submitting it.  You can only submit an assignment once, you can't revise it once it is submitted.  Save the completed assignment on your hard drive, your h drive on clam, a floppy disk, a zip drive, or anyplace else where you can find it later.  You should keep a copy of all your assignments.

When you are sure the assignment is ready to submit, go to the WEBCT home page, open your WEBCT and log into the course.  Once you are on the course home page, click on  "Assignment Dropbox"  then on the assignment that is due.  Click on "student files" and on "upload files."   Then use "browse" to find the file with your assignment (it will be wherever you saved it).  Click the box next to the assignment and "upload" it.  Type in your email address so the computer will tell you it has been received.  Finally, click on the box to submit the assignment.  The software will say "warning:  the assignment is about to be submitted."  This is your last chance to change your mind.  If you are sure, click on "OK" to submit the assignment.

At this point, you should double check to make sure that your assignment has been received:
There are two ways that you can make sure your assignment has been received.
1.  As soon as you submit your assignment, check the "Assignment Dropbox" page.  It will say "submitted."  This means it has been received and not yet graded.  If it says "graded" you can click on it and retrieve your grade and comments.  Important note:  Once the deadline for the assignment has passed, it may saying "not graded" and start saying "unavailable."  This is just a quirk of the program, it does not mean your assignment is lost.  There is no need to email or call me about it (unless you are having a panic attack).  As soon I have graded your assignment, the Dropbox will say "graded" and you can click on it to get your grade and comments.
2.  If you have requested an email confirmation and typed in your email address correctly, WEBCT will answer you shortly at your email address.  You can save this email as proof that your assignment was received.  If you don't get an email, it may mean that you didn't complete the submission process.  Go back and check:  if the assignment is still available on your Assignment Dropbox page (if it is a hyperlink), it means it has not been received.  Check the rules and go through the process again.