Since one reason for taking an eCore course is convenience, we strongly recommend access to a personal computer at home. It is not a good idea to depend on computers located in campus computer labs, libraries or other public locations. These computers may not have all the proper hardware, software and plug-ins one needs to access eCore courses.

This section will provide information on the following:

eCore courses are delivered in a course management system called GoVIEW. Part of this section will explain the basics of GoVIEW and where to get help if needed.

Technical Requirements

Having a correctly configured computer is critical to success in eCore. To ensure that a computer meets all the necessary technical requirements for hardware and software, please visit the Technical Requirements page. Links to necessary plug-ins (special free software) are also provided here.

Overview of GoVIEW

The online course in which students enroll uses GoVIEW as the main course environment. To use GoVIEW, students will need to remember the basic login and logout procedures.

Need help using GoVIEW?

The eCore Helpline provides support Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Contact the eCore Helpdesk at ecore@ecampus.usg.edu or call 678-839-5300.

24 X 7 Technical Support

Please contact the USG D2L Help Center for help at any time, day or night. To assist students with GoVIEW use, the Board of Regents has developed the D2L Help Center. This online "Knowledge Base" of common questions and issues faced by GoVIEW users will be updated frequently. (A Knowledge Base is simply another term for "Frequently Asked Questions.")

Accessing GoVIEW Student Help

The eCore Connection Orientation Course includes assignments that are designed to help students become comfortable with the use of GoVIEW tools. Each orientation assignment provides clear and concise instructions on working with specific GoVIEW tools. For more information on a certain tool, select Help on the top of the screen. GoVIEW Help is context sensitive, which means that help is provided for the specific tool or content page accessed. So, if one is in the Discussions area, selecting Help will provide hints and help on using the Discussions tool.

Using GoVIEW Tools

GoVIEW offers a number of tools for navigating and successfully participating in eCore courses. Each of these tools serves a different purpose and some of them serve multiple purposes. For example, communication tools such as Email and Discussions allow students to talk to and interact with peers and instructors. The calendar provides students with a tool to organize and keep up with class events. Personal administration tools such as Grades allow students to track progress through the course content, as well as check grades and notes. Finally, the assessment tools, such as Quizzes, allow students to deliver assignments to the instructor for evaluation.

All GoVIEW tools are found on the course toolbar. Following is a description of each tool. Please note, not all professors use each of the tools presented below.

Email

The Email tool facilitates communication between you, your instructor, and your classmates. You can use the Email tool to send email messages to other users in your course(s). Using the Email tool to send messages is just like sending email from any other email program. However, unlike an external email program, you can only send messages to other members of your course(s); you cannot send messages outside your course(s).

Calendar

The Calendar tool is used to manage course events and personal tasks. It will allow you to arrange and visualize your course events in multiple views and enables integration of course content and your Calendar. You will be able to view course events such as project due dates, virtual office hours, reminders, and quiz information that your instructor posts through the calendar on the course home page. You can also add personal tasks that only you will be able to see.

Classlist

The Classlist tool has several uses for interacting with others in your class. You can use this tool to see who's enrolled in your course, view profiles, check who's online, send emails and pages, and see group enrollments. The Classlist tool is also a convenient place to e-mail your instructor or your classmates.

Discussions

The Discussions tool provides a way for users to communicate by posting messages into defined topic areas and responding to messages posted by other users to facilitate class discussions. If your instructor utilizes the Discussions tool, they will typically post a discussion topic related to the course material and you and your classmates will respond by posting messages. The instructor will guide you on their expectations, as far as, frequency, composition and etiquette. The Discussions tool is much like a message board in an online community, as communication does not take place in real time and discussion postings allow you to interact with your instructor and classmates.

Assignments Tool

The Assignments tool provides a location to accept, submit, and receive feedback for assignments. Each assignment link provides instructions and an individual folder in which you can attach and upload your assignment. Depending on the instructor's directions, you may upload only during a specific time period or upload multiple documents for the same assignment. After you have submitted your assignment and your instructor has assessed it, you can click on the submissions link to review possible instructor feedback. All assignments should be submitted via the Assignments tool rather than through the Email tool since the GoVIEW email system provides very little email storage.

Quizzes Tool

The Quizzes tool provides the opportunity to gauge your understanding of course content and receive feedback from your instructor by delivering online tests based on your course material. Quizzes in online courses are the same or similar to quizzes in face-to-face classes in that you may find multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and/or essay questions. Most instructors will make quizzes available for a specific time period. The time period will vary by instructor and may range from one day to the entire semester.

Self-Assessment

Self-Assessment is an assessment tool that allows your instructor the opportunity to provide you with a series of questions about your material with immediate feedback. Question types can be similar to quizzes; however, your responses are not graded but allow you to gauge your understanding of the course material.

Grades

The Grades tool is your personal grade book where you can see the grades for your course activities, review instructor comments and track your overall progress in the course.

Locker Tool

The Locker tool is a storage area that provides a small amount of general storage. You can use this area much like the way you use a flash or travel drive. For example, if you are working on a document at school or home, you can save the document to your locker; then, when you get to your next location, you can then take the document out of the locker and finish your work. Files saved in your personal locker are kept private.

Instant Messenger Tool

The Instant Messenger tool is an instant messaging tool within GoVIEW that allows you to quickly talk to any of your peers or instructors when they are online. It can be faster and less formal than an email; however, not all instructors choose to utilize the Instant Messenger tool. Check with your instructor first to see what communication method he or she prefers.

Computer Support FAQ's

  • I do not have my own computer at home. May I use the local library's computer for the eCore course?
    • It is important to have your own computer. Public computers will not have all of the hardware, software, and plug-ins that you need to access your eCore courses.
  • Where can I find 24-hour support or help with GoVIEW questions?