WebCT can be used to launch files stored on CD-Roms that have been issued to students.

Create a dummy folder structure within 'Manage files' to replicate the folders and files held on the CD-Rom as shown below. When a student clicks on a link to this file within WebCT, it will search the CD-Rom first for the relevant file and open it from that location:

• Determine your CD-Rom file structure:
  • CD-Rom file structure where D is the CD drive letter:
    • D:\handsheets\video\airperm.mpg
    • D:\airperm.gif
  • Create a Manage file structure:
    • Add a folder ‘cdrom’ and then recreate the real CD-rom folders within it:
      • My-Files/cdrom/handsheets/video/airperm.mpg
      • My-Files/cdrom/airperm.gif

You can either put the files within an ‘umbrella’ folder: (/cdrom); or simply within the root of ‘My-Files’. Either way, make certain that when you set up the CD-Rom tool as a designer, you tell WebCT exactly where to look for the CD-Rom folders and files.

The files "airperm.mpg" and "airperm.gif", within Manage Files, are both dummy files designed to replicate the real files. Click on create new file within Manage Files, give the file the same name as the real file but in the file content box simply type a period ".". It is essential to create a dummy file otherwise the CD-Rom tool will not work.

Click on the CD-Rom tool and give the new CD-Rom a title, which can be any meaningful title, such as : Module 4.

Next select the course folder, in this case: cdrom.

Add a new content module. And do the add content link.

Click Create and Add HTML file. Edit that file and put in a link to the dummy file.

• HTML link - <a href="../cdrom/handsheets/videos/airperm.mpg"> or using an graphical link:
• <a href="../cdrom/airperm.gif"><img src="cd.jpg"></a>

Note:Your html document cannot be stored in the same folder as the cd-rom files.

To test this, you have to be logged on a student after setting up the cd drive letter.

When the student clicks on the CD-Rom tool, they will be able to select the title you have given your CD ‘Module 4’. Then they would enter the drive letter of their cd-rom (i.e. D:) then click on update. WebCT now knows exactly where the CD-Rom folders are stored, what they look like, and which drive to search on the student’s machine.

After inserting the CD labeled ‘Module 4’ in the appropriate drive, any links to the files held on this CD-Rom will launch the file from the CD-Rom. For example, a link to an .mpg movie file will automatically launch Window Media Player/Real Player.

If you are still having problems getting the "student view" to work, try changing the Internet Security settings. This can be done by going to:

• Tools > Internet Options > Trusted Sites and go into the Sites tab.
• Now uncheck the https box at the bottom and add http://webct.udayton.edu to the trusted sites.