- Where do I have to be to access my online course?
- How do I access D2L from home?
- What is my login User name and password?
- I can't log in to my course. What is wrong?
- I forgot my password. Now what do I do?
- What software do I need for an online course?
- How do I change my D2L password?
- Is my D2L password the same as my other school passwords?
- What is a D2L account?
- How do I log off?
- Can I access my D2L course through AOL?
- Who sets the pace for the course, the student or the instructor?
- Are special computer software programs required?
- How new or how powerful must my computer be for an online course?
- Can I start an online course prior to the start of a regular semester?
- Can I finish an online course later than the end of a regular semester?
- How do I know if I'm ready to take an online course?
- Can I complete the entire Minnesota Transfer Curriculum online?
- I'm still in high school; can I take online courses from Ridgewater?
- What is an Internet browser?
- Which browsers work with D2L?
- Where can I go to download Microsoft Internet Explorer?
- Where can I go to download Netscape?
- How do I know what browser I am currently using?
- Can I have more than one Internet browser on my computer?
- Can I use the browser that is built into AOL?
- What browser settings are required for D2L to work properly?
- How do I "enable Java" on my Internet browser?
- How do I "set the cache to always reload the page" on my
Internet browser? - What if the information on this page is out-of-date?
- What if I need more help with my Internet browser?
- What communications tools are available within D2L?
Where do I have to be to access my online course?
You can access your online course from any computer that has Internet access.
How do I access D2L from home?
Here are the basics:
- Establish Internet Access: To access D2L from home, you must first establish an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP). There are several local ISPs plus a few national ISPs for you to choose from. There is a monthly fee associated with the services of an ISP. Your online experience will be greatly enhanced if you use a "broadband" ISP, such as the cable television company, a DSL provider, or another provider that offers "high-speed" access to the Internet. However, be advised that these services are more expensive than a regular telephone line "dial-up" account.
Use a supported web browser: Not all Internet browsers are compatible with D2L. For more information, see the Browser FAQ page.
Go to the Ridgewater D2L Home Page: Once you have established an account with your ISP, connect to the Internet as explained by your ISP, then use a supported web browser to go to Ridgewater's D2L homepage at: https://ridgewater.ims.mnscu.edu/index.asp.
What is my login User name and password?
If you are officially registered for an online class at Ridgewater College, an account has been automatically created for you by the D2L system. You should use the Login fields on the Ridgewater D2L homepage.
- Returning online students (took an online course last term):
User Name = Last name and first three letters of the first name. All lower case.
Example: MadisonBev
Password is unchanged from last semester.
New online students (including those who have skipped a semester):
User Name = Last name and first three letters of the first name. All lower case.
Example: MadisonBev
Password is 8 digit student ID number.
I can't log in to my course. What is wrong?
Almost without exception, it is a problem with the password. If you have changed your password, you are the only one who can determine what you changed it to. The passwords are completely private, which means that we can't "look up" your password for you. See the next question.
If you have never logged in before, and if your Ridgewater Student ID is not working for both the User Name and the password, then you probably have not had an official account set up for you by the system if you registered after the last Friday prior to the start of the school term, then it usually takes 24 hours for an account to be created for you.
If you registered further in advance, then you should first check your official registration at the Ridgewater registration site. Sometimes classes will be automatically cancelled or dropped from a student's record if there is a problem such as non-payment of amounts due the college or possible an academic suspension.
If you verify that you are officially enrolled in an Internet class at Ridgewater, and if you still cannot log in to the D2L system, then please contact:
Jason Hulstein – Willmar Campus
(320) 222-5736
jason.hulstein@ridgewater.edu
Chris Wilke – Hutchinson Campus
(320) 234-8545
chris.wilke@ridgewater.edu
I forgot my password. Now what do I do?
The following people can reset your D2L password:
Your online course instructor – click here to search for your instructor.
Jason Hulstein – Willmar Campus
(320) 222-5736
jason.hulstein@ridgewater.edu
Chris Wilke – Hutchinson Campus
(320) 234-8545
chris.wilke@ridgewater.edu
What software do I need for an online course?
You need an Internet Web browser that supports tables, frames, Java, and JavaScript.
Your web browser must be configured so all these features are turned on.
A great deal of information is provided at the Browser FAQ page.
Currently, D2L supports Netscape version 4 up to version 7.
D2L also supports all versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (I.E.) versions 5 & 6.
It is also recommended that you install the Sun Java client.Click here to download it.
Other software might be required for a particular course. You should check the Information Page for your particular course to see if any special software is required.
How do I change my D2L password?
After you have successfully logged in to your D2L account, you will see a "My Password" link on the left side of your D2L page. Keep in mind that after you change your password, there is no way for us to determine what your new password is. If you forget it, it will need to be reset. Choose a password that will be easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess. Also keep in mind that passwords are "case sensitive." For example: bobby1256 is different from Bobby1256.
Is my D2L password the same as my other COLLEGE passwords?
Not necessarily. The only way that your D2L password will be the same as other passwords (i.e. = network, e-mail or registration password) is if you specifically set your D2L password to equal the others. These systems are completely separate from one another.
What is a D2L account?
D2L provides each student with a start page, called a D2L Portal page. Each student will have only one D2L page that will serve as an entry page for all courses. Please keep your login information in a safe place.
How do I log off?
To log off from Desire2Learn, click the Logout link on the top right hand side of the web page.
Can I access my D2L course through AOL?
D2L is not supported with the America Online (AOL) browser.
Who sets the pace for the course, the student or the instructor?
Some online courses are "student-paced" and others are "instructor-paced."
A student-paced course allows the student to work at his/her own speed as long as he/she completes all requirements by the end of the semester. The instructor will set a course deadline that is either before or during the final exam week for the semester. Students that do not have good self-discipline may have a hard time in a student-paced course. You may want to set your own intermittent deadlines throughout the semester to ensure that the work gets done on time.
Instructor-paced online courses will have several deadlines or due dates spread throughout the semester. For example, book reviews might be due at the end of every other week, while online exams are taken on three scheduled dates during the semester, and a research project is due at the end of the fourteenth week of the semester.
Are special computer software programs required?
A few online courses require special software for the completion of course assignments. For example, a particular word processing program may be required for a writing class, a spreadsheet program may be required for a business class, and a general ledger package may be required for an accounting course.
If the instructor requires the use of special software (it often comes bundled with the textbook), the student is required to ensure that they will have access to the software when needed. Again, if you are uncertain about this requirement, it is wise to e-mail the instructor prior to registering for the course.
How new or how powerful must my computer be for an online course?
Generally speaking, you do not need a new or extremely powerful computer to take an online course. Having good Internet access (broadband preferred) and the correct Internet browser is more important than having a very expensive or powerful computer. Still, your computer should meet or exceed some very minimal hardware requirements to ensure that you don't experience technical problems while accessing your course.
Can I start an online course prior to the start of a regular semester?
Unless otherwise stated, you may not begin the course before the start of the semester. Keep in mind that the system will automatically enter you into the course database at the beginning of the term. It is impossible for you to access the online course prior to this automatic upload of students. The automatic upload typically occurs on the first day of the term, not prior to the start of the term. It is possible that online courses might have flexible start dates at some time in the future; however, that is not the case at this time.
Can I finish an online course later than the end of a regular semester?
Unless otherwise stated, you must complete all course requirements for an online course by the end of the semester. Even in a student-paced course, there is an ultimate deadline that must be met. Many instructors will place the final deadline several days before the end of the semester. The extra days are needed for grading purposes.
How do I know if I'm ready to take an online course?
Not all learning styles suit all adults. Those students who are typically most successful at online course work are self-motivated and comfortable using a computer. If you do not mind being physically separated from other students and find your busy schedule makes it impossible to attend a traditional classroom setting, then online learning might be just right for you.
Can I complete the entire Minnesota Transfer Curriculum online?
Yes, there are courses available here, or at other Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) across the state.
I'm still in high school; can I take online courses from Ridgewater?
PSEO-qualified students at high schools throughout Minnesota are enrolling in online courses each semester. To be eligible for this program, Ridgewater College must have a signed written agreement with the host high school. Students complete their coursework without ever leaving the high school campus. For more information, have a high school representative contact one of our counselors at (320) 234-8503 or 234-8508.
What is an Internet browser?
An Internet browser is an application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the World Wide Web. The word "browser" seems to have originated prior to the Web as a generic term for user interfaces that let you browse (navigate through and read) text files online. The first widely-used Internet browser was Netscape Navigator. Microsoft followed with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Today, these two programs are the main Internet browsers used.
Which browsers work with D2L?
Any of the following browsers are supported with D2L:
Windows Platform:
Microsoft Internet Explorer, versions 5 and 6
Netscape versions 4, 5, 6 and 7
Macintosh Platform:
Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 5
Netscape versions 4, 5, 6 and 7
Mozilla
Safari
Linux Platform:
Mozilla
Browser support is determined based on a specific version. D2L may be operational in other browsers, but official support is not provided.
Where can I GO TO DOWNLOAD Microsoft Internet Explorer?
Click here to obtain the latest version of Internet Explorer.
Where can I GO TO DOWNLOAD Netscape?
Click here to obtain the latest version of Netscape.
How do I know what browser I am currently using?
With your browser running, select the "Help" item from the main menu at the top of the screen. At the bottom of the drop-down menu you should see a choice that says "About Internet Explorer" or something similar to that. After selecting that menu item, you will see a dialog box that will contain the version number for the browser that you are currently running.
Can I have more than one Internet browser on my computer?
Yes. You can have both Internet Explorer and Netscape on your PC if you so desire. You can also have multiple versions of Netscape on your computer at the same time. However, Microsoft does not allow you to have multiple versions of Internet Explorer on your computer at the same time.
One more note about Microsoft Internet Explorer; you will not be able to revert to an older version of the browser if you still have a newer version of the browser installed on your computer.
Can I use the browser that is built into AOL?
AOL’s browser is not supported in D2L.
If you use AOL as your ISP, it is recommended that you connect to the Internet through AOL, minimize AOL and open one of the supported Internet browsers, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape to access your D2L course.
What browser settings are required for D2L to work properly?
In the settings on your browser you should enable Java and set your cache to always reload the page.
How do I "enable Java" on my Internet browser?
For Internet Explorer on a PC:
In your browser window, click on Tools in the menu bar.
From the drop-down menu, select Internet Options.
Click on the Advanced tab.
Scroll down to Java (Sun)
Ensure that "Use Java for applet" has been checked and click OK.
If you do not have Java installed, click here to download it
For Internet Explorer on a Mac:
From your browser window, click on Edit.
From the drop-down menu, select Preferences.
Select Java from the list in the left-hand margin.
Make sure that Java is enabled and click OK.
For Netscape on a PC or a Mac:
From your browser window, click on Edit.
From the drop-down menu, select Preferences.
Click on the "+" sign next to Advanced.
Make sure that "Enable Java" and "Enable JavaScript" are both checked.
Click OK.
How do I "set the cache to always reload the page" on my Internet browser?
For Internet Explorer on a PC:
Click on the Settings button next to "Temporary Internet files."
Make sure that "Every visit to the page" is selected and click OK.
For Internet Explorer on a Mac:
In your browser window, click Edit and choose Preferences.
When the Preferences window opens choose Advanced.
Make sure the button next to "Always" is chosen, and then click OK.
For Netscape on a PC or Mac:
In your browser window, click on Edit.
From the drop-down menu, select Preferences.
Click the "+" sign next to Advanced.
Highlight Cache.
Make sure that the "Every time" radio button is selected and click OK.
What if the information on this page is out-of-date?
We try our best not to let that happen. However, sometimes things change overnight, so it is possible that you will try something on this page and it won't work the way we have said that it will.
What if I need more help with my Internet browser?
Please check out the support websites provided by the following companies:
Support for Microsoft Internet Explorer
What communications tools are available within D2L?
The main tools provided for communications within a D2L course are:
Discussions (Public Bulletin Boards)
Private Mail (internal e-mail)
Chats
| Home | Academic Calendar 08-09 | 09-10 | Campus Maps | Contact Us | Directories | D2L | Web Mail | Library | Catalog | Site Map |
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Hutchinson Campus 2 Century Avenue SE Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-234-8500 | 800-722-1151 |
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