University Technology

Getting Started with Online Learning

This resource site has been compiled to support WIU students with the primary tools provided and supported by Western Illinois University. It may not include every technology that your instructor might choose to use.  If you do not see a help resource listed here that covers your needs, consider searching tutorials for that resource on Google and YouTube or request additional information from your instructor. 

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Getting Started
Technology Support
Technology Specifications for Online Students
Western Online (D2L Brightspace)
Zoom
Google Workspace (Formerly Google Apps for Education)
Microsoft Office 365
Taking Online Exams
Online Course Evaluation System



  Getting Started

Read this short article about how to Develop Online Learning Skills

Visit our Technology Specifications for Online Students website to ensure that you have all necesary technology and skills. 

Confirm that your browser will support Western Online with this Brightspace Browser Check 

Register to complete the self-paced Western Online Student Orientation.

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  Technology SupportuTech logo

Western Online VIrtual Assistant  (for all questions regarding Western Online/D2L Brightspace)

University Technology Support Center  |309.298.TECH (8324)|support@wiu.edu
(For all questions not related to Western Online and Western Online enrollment issues only)

Third-Party Application Support Contacts 
(Respondus, TurnItIn, Cnegage, McGraw Hill, Pearson, etc.)

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  Western Online (D2L Brightspace)

Western Online (powered by  D2L Brightspace ) is the course management system used at Western to provide online courses, hybrid courses, and supplements to face-to-face courses. Login to Western Online (using your WIU ecom username and password) by choosing Western Online under the myWIU portal link on the WIU Homepage.   When you get logged in you will see your homepage with a listing of courses that you are enrolled in for the semester.  Your professor should indicate in their syllabus if they will be using Western Online.  We recommend that all new students register for and complete the Western Online Student Orientation to familiarize themselves with using Western Online prior to classes.  Information for registering and completing this orientation is available at  Western Online Orientation Registration Instructions.  

Visit WIU's Western Online  On Demand Documentation and Videos . 

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  Zoom 

Zoom is a video conferencing tool already used by many instructors for videoconference and Live Streaming courses. 
All WIU students, faculty, and staff have an enterprise Zoom meeting account.  Visit wiu.edu/zoom to sign in using your Ecom username and password. 

Additional information is available at the Zoom Help Center 

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Google Apps for Education

Western Illinois University uses Google Workspace (formerly G Suite).  In addition to email, all WIU students have access to a multitude of Google Apps, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and more!  

To log in, visit the WIU homepage, then click on the myWiu drop-down menu at the top of the page, then choose Email. Log in with your WIU ECom username and password. 

Additional information is available at the Google Help Center.

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Microsoft Office 365

Every student at Western Illinois University has a Microsoft 365 account that can be downloaded and installed on their Windows or Mac OSX computers.  Included apps include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and various other tools for Windows users. 

To log in visit Microsoft Online , and log in with your WIU Email address and ECom password. 

Training on additional applications can be found at the Microsoft 365 Training website. 

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Taking Online Exams

Some of your instructors may decide to use Respondus Lockdown Browser and/or Monitor to administer exams.  If your instructor decides to use this tool refer to the resources below.

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Online Course Evaluation System

WIU students have the same opportunity to evaluate online courses as their face-to-face courses.  The Online Course Evaluation System may also be accessed from within Western Online.

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