How to upload course materials to WebCT using Windows XP Web folder and

Macromedia Dreamweaver MX

The WebCT Campus Edition 4.1 provides “WebDAV” – Web-based Distributed Authoring and

Versioning which allows designer to:

1. Setup Web folder for upload multiple files to WebCT server by a simple “drag-and-drop”

mechanism. This new feature can save you much time as you don’t have to zip and unzip your

files during the upload process.

2. Use Macromedia Dreamweaver MX connect to WebCT course website, designer can build

his/her course website using Dreamweaver MX and directly synchronize the website into

WebCT Manage File area. (Note: Dreamweaver can only edit the webpage content of your

WebCT course. None of the WebCT-specific features, such as quizzes, discussion boards, or

content modules, are directly editable via Dreamweaver.)

Part 1 – Procedure setting up Web folder in Windows XP

Step 1. In your Windows XP, double click “My Network Place” and click “Add a network place”.

(Note: For user, who have already setup the web folder connect to WebCT server previously can

move forward to Step5).

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Step 2. In the wizard, select “Choose Another New Location”, type your WebDAV URL:

Internet or network address: https://webct server name/dav/WebCT Course ID

(For example, https://webct2.polyu.edu.hk/dav/ITS502/)

Step 3. Fill in your NetID and NetPassword (your WebCT ID and password) and name your folder.

Step 4. Click “Finish”, type in your NetID and NetPassword to open your WebCT directory in a

new window. (Note: the NetID and NetPassword will be memorized in your PC until your have

power off the computer).

Step 5. You need to setup the Web Folder for your WebCT course website using (step 1 to 4) only

once, next time you want to access your WebCT course materials, you just open the “My

Computer” and click “My Network Place” and you will be able to see the Web Folders.

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Step 6. To manage files using Web Folder:

Upload file/directory – open the local folder with Window Explorer of which file or directory

you want are located. From the upload folder window, select the file or directory to be

uploaded with mouse and drag to the Web Folder window. If you want to upload multiple files,

you can hold down the Ctrl key and select multiple files or directories from the local folder and

then drag to the web folder of WebCT server. (Note: If directory is uploaded, all

sub-directories and files within the directory will be uploaded too.)

Dowload file/directory – open the local folder with Window Explorer of which directory you

want the file to be stored. From the Web Folder window, select the file or directory to be

downloaded with mouse and drag to the local folder window. If you want to download multiple

files, you can hold down the Ctrl key and select multiple files or directories from the Web

Folder and then drag to the local folder of your PC. (Note: If directory is downloaded, all

sub-directories and files within the directory will be downloaded too.)

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Cautions:

Since WebDAV gives you direct access to your course files, any changes you make will be

made directly to your WebCT course. So, please make sure you have backup copy of your files

since same filename will be overwritten, but filename like Image1.gif and image1.Gif (with

letters in different cases are treated as different files and will not be overwritten). Also, be

careful before removing files from your Web folder, because you are deleting the file from the

WebCT course website.

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Part 2 – Procedure for connection using Dreamweaver MX

Step 1. Start Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, click the “Site” option from the top menu and select

“Manage sites…” to setup Site definition. (Note: For user, who have already setup the remote

connection to WebCT server previously can move forward to Step 7).

Step 2. Click “New..” and select “Site”

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Step 3. Click “Advanced” tab and select “Local Info”, fill in the Site name and assign the Local root

folder (This is the place you buildup your website).

Step 4. Select “Remote Info”, select “WebDAV” in Access option and then click “Settings…”

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Step 5. Fill in the information in below:

URL: https://webct server name/dav/WebCT Course ID

(For example, https://webct2.polyu.edu.hk/dav/ITS502/)

Username: Same as your login ID in WebCT

Password: Same as your login Password in WebCT

Email: your email address

Step 6. A new site has been created in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX. Click “Done” as finish.

Step 7. Now, press “Connects to remote host” button to connect with WebCT server first, and then

click “Expand/Collapse” to view files between Local and Remote site.

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Step 8. Now, you can buildup the web pages / web site using Dreamweaver. When ready, you can:

- Upload or download files and web pages to your WebCT Manage File area by using “Put” or

“Get” command between Local Site (your PC) and Remote Site (WebCT server).

- Or you can use “Synchronize” to transfer a copy of the website to your WebCT course area.

Cautions:

Since WebDAV gives you direct access to your course files, any changes you make will be

made directly to your WebCT course. So, please make sure you have backup copy of your files

since same filename will be overwritten, but filename like Image1.gif and image1.Gif (with

letters in different cases are treated as different files and will not be overwritten).

by ITS HK PolyU

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