Student Resources

 

LIBRARY (general info, reference, online resources)

Need Help? Reference assistance can be obtained by contacting the Reference Librarian, Maura Dickerson. You can contact her at maura.dickerson@cui.edu or by phone at 949-854-8002, extension 1575.

Accessing Library Resources: You have access to all the services of the CUI library. From home, you can access the library web site by going to http://lib.cui.edu. This will allow you to search the catalog, search the online periodical and journal databases, and get reference help.

In the left hand column, you will see the "CONNECT ME WITH" box. You can get to any of these resources by clicking on the link. At the top of the library homepage, you will also see a Reference section. This is another way to get to the same online resources.

You will need your Banner number (including the E) and your WebCT password to access the library from off campus. If you have problems doing this, please contact bob.park@cui.edu, identify yourself as a CUA student, and provide him the details of the problem, including the Banner number and password you have been trying.

Here are specific directions for accessing and searching Library databases:

  • Connecting to the databases of journal articles from home requires a user name and password. The user name and password were given to you on the password sheet. These are necessary for home access to the data bases. This page will show you how to logon.
  • Searching with EBSCOhost. Our library uses EBSCOhost for a variety of data bases, including Academic Search Premier, ERIC, Business Elite, PsycInfo, etc. This page shows how to conduct a search with their interface.
  • Searching with JSTOR. For many journals, JSTOR goes back to the first date of publication. It is useful for finding older resources.
  • Using the A-Z Journal Title List. This list will show all the holdings of the library, along with the database or hard copy location for each.
  • Using Oxford Reference Online Collection. Oxford’s collection of online books includes language and subject books from their famous print reference sources. Currently, the Premium Collection is fully-indexed with a cross-searchable database of over 150 reference works.

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TILT - Tools for Information Literacy Tutorial This tutorial covers the process of doing research. It covers the selecting sources, evaluating sources, and how to use these sources when doing research online using the Concordia Library.

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APA FORMAT The American Psychological Association guidelines are used for preparing assignments for submission. This is a prescribed set of rules for margins, type style, citations, etc. Some information is available at their web site and the library has provided some additional resources.

The majority of questions about APA concern basic page formatting and citations. APA guides will show a running heading with part of the title at the top of each page. This is not necessary for papers since it is generally only used when an article is submitted for publication. The page numbers should be there. The library has prepared a style and citation rubric help guide you through this process. Click HERE to access the infomation.You may click HERE for a short overview of APA provided by the Writing Center. Click HERE for a sample APA paper developed by Charlotte Lewis, and provided courtesy of the Concordia St. Paul Writing Center.

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Steps in Writing A Research Paper This is a short guide compiled from a number of sources to help you in writing a research paper. It covers from selecting the topic to final proof-reading and editing before submission. A number of resources are listed to assist you in this process. Click HERE to open this PDF document.
The OWL is the online writing lab. You may submit papers to them for comments on improving your work. Click HERE for more information on the OWL. You may click HERE for a short overview of APA provided by the Writing Center. NOTE: the OWL is only available during fall and spring semesters.

CELT is the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. You will find resources for using Word efficiently and creating effective PowerPoint, along with a number of library research tips. Click on the Student Link to view these resources. Click HERE to go to CELT.

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WebCT TUTORIAL For some of you, navigating WebCT is old hat. You have used it for courses before. But for some, it is a new experience. In order to find your way around, a tutorial has been provided. It explains the main features and gives examples of how to effectively use the tools provided within WebCT, such as the discussion board, chat, WebCT mail, etc. Click HERE to go through the tutorial.

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BROWSER TUNE-UP While WebCT will run under many browsers, the supported browser at Concordia is Internet Explorer. If you are using AOL as your Internet provider, please contact technical support listed below for additional instructions.

WebCT takes advantage of many of the functions that are either built into your browser or can be added easily from third part sources. To make sure your browser is optimized for WebCT, click HERE to access WebCT's tune-up site. The navigaton of the page is not as clear as it could be. Click HERE to follow the navigation options.

It is highly recommended that you go through these settings. At one point you will be asked which version of WebCT you are using. We currently are using CE 4.0.

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COMPUTER PROBLEMS Beyond Java and Pop-Up Blockers discussed under Chat Problems on this same page, the following issues can cause your computer to behave strangely. Often these types of problems will cause WebCT not to display mail properly, chat will fail to load, pages won't totally open, etc. Included are possible solutions to the issues.

Virus - If you are not already running anti-virus software, you would be wise to purchase and install one of the many on the market. If you have installed an anti-virus program, keep it up to date. New virus forms are constantly being developed by people with more time on their hands than sense. If you computer is starting to do unpredictable things, run a scan to see if a virus could be the cause. If you want to run a free scan from the web, go to http://www.trendmicro.com and use their HouseCall feature. You will find it under the pull down menu for Find a Product. You can also direct link to it by clicking here. It works well, but is not a substitute for having a program installed.

Spyware - Some websites install spyware on your computer to see and report what you are doing. This happens without your realizing anything is being installed. You can go to http://www.download.com. Use the search box to search for Spybot. Download, install, and run Spybot - Search and Destroy. It is offered free by a group interested in keeping the Internet safe.

Ad-Aware - Like spyware, these track where you go on the net in order to better target advertising when you go to a site. They are installed without your knowledge as you surf the web. You can download Ad-Aware free at http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10045910.html?legacy=cnet. Install and run this software to detect and delete ad-ware from your computer.

Firefox - Firefox is an open source, free browser that often avoids many of the issues with Internet Explorer. It works well with WebCT and has some nice features. You can download and install it from HERE.

If the links do not work, try running a search on the name of the product and you will find an alternate source for the programs.

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CHAT PROBLEMS (typed version) Here are the three most common issues that cause the Chat window for typed chat not to open, and the solutions:

  • A pop-up blocker is active. Some software, including Google's personal search bar, have a pop-up blocker. It is found in MSN software as well as some Earthlink releases. Some software is specifically designed to block all pop-ups. Since the chat window is a pop-up, the blocker must be disabled in order for your to participate in chat. Check to see that you do not have an active pop-up blocker, and if you do, disable it.
  • If you are working in a networked environment, your router may be configured to block pop-up windows. Check whether this is the case, and if so, disable the function.
  • Chat is a function of JAVA, and different "flavors" of Windows have different characteristics. WindowsXP often does not include it in their installed package. If you can't open a Chat Room, click HERE to go to Sun Microsystems, download their JAVA client, install it, and restart your computer. Click on the OPEN option once the download starts. The download is free. Most of the time, this will solve the problem.
  • You may also find installing and using Firefox as your browser instead of Internet Explorer will resolve the issues. Firefox is a free, open source browser. Click HERE to dowload and install Firefox.

If you continue to have difficulties with typed chat, please contact technical support listed below.

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POP-UP WINDOW PROBLEMS Since both typed chat and pop-up windows in chat, email, and discussion board all depend on JAVA, please refer to the section just above this one, TYPED CHAT PROBLEMS, for the solution. Again, if this does not solve the problem, please contact the technical support number.

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Accessing Banner Banner contains your personal records, including grades, holds, and student information.

  • If you already know how to navigate in Banner, click HERE to go directly to Banner Web.
  • If you need directions for using Banner, contact Leigh Ann Unger (x1342)

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Eagle Mail This is the official email of the university. You will receive notification of financial aid awards, deadlines, etc. through this account, so you do need to check it. To access it, go to http://eagles.cui.edu. Your password sheet will have your user name and password. The system works in a very similar manner to all web-based mail programs. You can not set it to forward to your regular email account so it needs to be checked separately.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT Occasionally, technology does not perform as advertised. Sometimes it is a simple problem, and others require more digging.

  • CUAccelerate: If you are experiencing difficulties with a function of WebCT, please contact Paul Massmann either by email or by phone (949-854-8002, extension 1507).
  • MA Online: If you are experiencing difficulties with a function of WebCT, please contact Jill Gredvig either by email or by phone (949-854-8002, extension 1487).
  • Both Programs: If you are experiencing difficulties with library resources (such as passwords for accessing data bases), contact Bob Park either by email or by phone (949-854-8002, extension 1518).

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Last updated 6/1/2007