All Distance and Online Education courses are offered online. They are hosted by an learning management system (LMS) where you can logon to the UM web server and access your course website in a secure environment. You can read course materials, chat with your classmates and instructor, submit assignments and check assignment grades, all online.
Access your course at umanitoba.ca/D2L.
How our courses work
Online course deliveries vary, but standard features in all courses include interaction options
such as chat, student lounge and e-mail, and online assignment submission.
Courses may also feature one or more of the following features:
- PDFs of course materials in the course website
- scheduled web conferences (required in some courses)
- tutorials (onlineFort Garry Campus)
- audio/video resources
- links to online library and web resources
Technical requirements
Most computer systems with Internet access will be sufficient for online courses. However there are some recommended minimums.
Hardware
We recommend that your computer have a sound card, speakers, and a printer. Although it is possible to use a dial-up modem, high speed Internet is recommended. Cable modems or home use DSL lines will work well for online courses. Linux or MAC computers may be used, but are not supported by UM Information Services & Technology (IST).
All Computer Science courses require Windows XP, or newer.
Software
The required browser is Firefox 3 or Internet Explorer 8 or higher. Mac users require Firefox 3.5. For most courses, Word 2003 is sufficient. Other word processing software can be used, but you may experience some compatibility issues that will require a little extra time to work through.
If you plan to access your course(s) from a computer at work
Many organizations have firewalls blocking the ports used by the UM’s learning management system. So if you plan to access course websites from work, you may have to make special arrangements with your computer administrator since you will need to confirm that you have access to the correct ports before the term begins. Try to access your course website, as early as possible, from all computers you intend to use.
If your course includes web conferences
For courses that offer synchronous web conferences, you will require a headset (headphones combined with microphone).
Contact Distance and Online Education Student Services at de_info@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-8012 (toll free 1-888-216-7011 ext. 8012) for more information regarding:
- course features
- course syllabus
- required term work
Claiming an ID
You must claim a UMnetID (a user ID and password) before you can logon to the course website. If you are a returning student, you may already have a UMnetID. Be sure to copy your user ID and password in a safe place as this information gives you access to several computer services on campus, as well as your course websites. If you have problems claiming your UMnetID contact the computer accounts office at 204-474-9788 (toll free at 1-888-216-7011, ext. 9788)or at computer_accounts@umanitoba.ca. Please allow at least one business day after claiming your ID before logging into your course website.
Logging into the course website
Access your course at umanitoba.ca/D2L.
Online course sections should be available to students 30 days before the start of term, provided the new course section has been created. You should be able to access your course about 48-72 hours after registering for your course. If you have problems logging in please contact de_support@umanitoba.ca.
Submitting assignments
Unless specific instructions are outlined on the course website or your instructor's letter of introduction, assignments must be submitted online. Assignment due dates are indicated in your course material. You can confirm that your assignments were received and check your assignment grades using your course website.
Textbooks
Unless otherwise specified, you are responsible for ordering your textbooks, readings packages, CDs/DVDs, or other required materials from the UM Book Store. Some reading materials and/or CDs/DVDs can be borrowed from Off-Campus Library Services.