Course Interface: Course Menu Icons

When the Course Menu is collapsed, it displays the icons only.  If the instructor chooses to display the links on the Course Menu as both icons and text, you can expand and collapse the menu as necessary. Collapsing the course menu increases the viewing area of the current screen. Expanding it shows the text of the links.

But if the instructor chooses to display the links on the Course Menu as just icons, it may not be obvious what the different icons mean.  You should be able to hover your mouse over the icon and the meaning of that icon will appear.  Or use the legend below:

NOTE: All tools may not be available to you.  The Instructor decides which tools to include in the course.  If you are enrolled in more than one online course, not every course will necessarily have the same tools and design.

Course Tools

 = New items (displays when new items are available for the tool next to which this icon appears)

 = Course Content Home (go back to the home, or start, page in the course)

= Announcements (view course-wide notices sent by administrators or instructors) 

 = Assessments (access quizzes, self tests, and surveys)

 = Assignments (submit written or web site assignments)

 = Calendar (view dated reminders about events and create your own events if allowed)

 = Chat (communicate in real time with other course members using a text messenger and whiteboard)

 = Discussions (communicate asynchronously with other course members using threaded messages)

  = Goals (view the goals for a course. If institution permissions allow, you can also view files and course content, such as assessments and assignments, that have been associated with a goal.)

 = Learning Modules (interact with course content that is organized in a learning path)

 = Local Content (view files linked to a CD on your local computer rather than in the course)

 = Mail (communicate privately with other course members)

 = Media Library (view lists of text entries, images, videos, and audio files in the course)

  = Roster (view the profiles for course members)

 = SCORM Modules (contain course content, such as a single page or graphic to a full-blown learning path containing quizzes and assignments)

 = Syllabus (view information about the course)

 = Web Links (view web sites that are outside of the course site)

 = Who's Online (chat in real time with other course members who are logged in at the same time you are logged in; works like an instant messenger)

My Tools

 = My Files (create and upload course-related files in your own private file space; access files here to attach to assignments, discussions, and mail)

 = My Grades (view all released grades for your course)

 = My Progress (track your activities in the course, including the number of content folders, files, discussion messages, assessments, assignments you accessed during a session)

 = Notes (make general notes or notes on a specific learning module; use these notes as a reminder or study aid)

 = Search (find specific data within the course using special search criteria)