Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers have been compiled to assist you with common vUWS enquiries.

Please check the information below and the resources on the left hand side of this page to see if your question is already answered before contacting support.

How do I login to vUWS?

1. Go to the vUWS login page. You can get to the login page from the UWS website by clicking on the 'E-Learning' link in the top grey bar and then click the 'Login to vUWS' link at the top or bottom of the page.

2. Insert your MyUWSAccount details:

• Username: Student number
• Password: MyUWSAccount password

3. Click on the Login button.

Your MyUWSAccount login details are the same details that you use to access Studentmail, Platform Web, and General Purpose Computer Labs.

If you have not activated your MyUWSAccount, you will need to do so at https://myuwsaccount.uws.edu.au, and if you need assistance with your MyUWSAccount password, please contact the IT Helpdesk on 02 9852 5111 or helpdesk@uws.edu.au

Not all of my units are appearing when I login.

There are a number of reasons why not all of your units are appearing when you login to vUWS.

• Not all taught units have a vUWS site. It is up to your lecturer to decide whether they choose to use vUWS.
• Your site has not been opened for student access by your lecturer. Lecturers may be updating the site at the beginning of semester and will open the site for access once the site has been updated.
• Your enrolment controls which sites you have access to. If you do not have access to an existing site, but it is open to other students in your unit, you should contact your local Student Centre to confirm your enrolment for the current teaching semester. The contact details for your local Student Centre can be found at: http://www.uws.edu.au/students/centres/contact
• If you have an encumbrance, your access to all vUWS sites will be suspended. An Encumbrance is a sanction applied to students with outstanding fees, in accordance with University policy. For more information regarding encumbrances, please go to: http://www.uws.edu.au/students/stuadmin/fees/encumbrances

Note: Once your enrollment is updated at the Student Centre or with Encumbrances, the process for re-establishing access to vUWS sites may take up to 24 hours.

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When I click on a link in vUWS nothing opens.

The following are some possible solutions to problems with downloading files:

1. A pop-up blocking application is installed on your computer (eg Norton Internet Security, MySearch, MSN or other toolbar). If you do have a pop-up blocking application installed on your computer then you will need to insert the vUWS URL address 'elearning.uws.edu.au' into the application's list of trusted sites. For more information see the Configuring your computer section.

2. When viewing and downloading files from the unit site, your connection speed will play a contributing factor in the time it takes to download the files. Depending on the size of the file, you might need to wait for a few minutes while it downloads and opens. Please ignore the 'done' at the bottom in your browser window, as it doesn't give a true reflection of the download process.

3. You do not have the software to view the file. You can download a free viewer for many file types on the Plug-ins section. If you are not sure what format a particular file is in, you will need to ask your lecturer.

I am having problems printing out documents

Printing documents from vUWS will differ depending on several factors, such as the type of file you are trying to print and the way your lecturer has setup the site. The 'Printing from vUWS' reference sheet explains how to print documents from vUWS.

Download the Printing from vUWS reference sheet at: www.uws.edu.au/students/onlinesupport/referencesheets.

I am having problems using the tools in vUWS

If you are having trouble using an vUWS tool, click on the Help link (see image below) at the top right hand side within vUWS.

There are a number of reference sheets available which will explain how to use common tools in vUWS. You can download these vUWS Reference Sheets at: www.uws.edu.au/students/onlinesupport/referencesheets.

Additionally, you should consult your lecturer to identify how they expect you to use the tool and how often you need to participate.

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Your Privacy and vUWS

vUWS is an online environment providing opportunities for students to participate in collaborative work and discussion related to their units of study as well as in more informal networks such as Campus Connection.

As with all online environments you need to think about your privacy and be careful about the sharing of information about yourself. Within vUWS you can remain anonymous in the Who’s Online feature - for instructions please prefer to the ‘Changing your status to invisible in Who's Online’ announcement once you have logged into vUWS under ‘Campus Announcements’. In other forums such as class based groups your identity will be revealed to other members of the group but it is still important that you consider what other information about yourself you feel comfortable about sharing. This particularly relates to projects such as group work where you may share personal contact information with other students.

If you have any concerns about your privacy and the use of the vUWS site please contact the Service Desk in the first instance. Detailed information about privacy is located on the University's web site at Privacy at UWS, including contact details for the University's Privacy Officer.

My question was not answered here.

If your question relates to any content within one of your sites, contact your lecturer.

If you have a question relating to how to use a tool within vUWS, click on the Help link in the right hand side of the the top bar within vUWS.

If your question relates to any technical problems with vUWS, you can contact the E-Learning Team via the online Student Help Form.

Alternatively, search the Dr C Blackboard discussion forum for information about your problem. The Blackboard discussion forum can be found at: www.webct.com/searchdrc.

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