Open a web browser. Use Netscape or Internet Explorer version 4 or higher.
Go to http://owl.oit.umass.edu/departments/Astronomy (or click on the OWL Homepage link on our course homepage)
You should be on the OWL Student Login.
Enter your Login (your 8-digit student ID number)
Enter your Password (initially this is set to your last name).
Click on the LOG IN button. (You may have to scroll down the page.)
If you see the Invalid Login page, read login information and then TRY AGAIN.
If you continue to have problems, click on REPORT IT, and follow the directions.
First Time Information
Carefully read the Welcome page, then click CONTINUE.
Enter or correct your email and phone so that you can be contacted if necessary.
Click CONTINUE.
Working on Your Assignments
On the Course Menu page check that you are rostered in the correct OWL course. If it is incorrect, click Add/Switch Class to the left and follow the directions.
Click on the underlined name (i.e. link) for your course.
If there are any Course Notes, read them and then press the View Assignments button.
Click on the link of the name of the assignment on which you want to work. It is important to do the tutorial first to learn to how to enter answers, including special formatting, correctly.
Click on the link for the unit on which you want to work.
If there is content material to read, follow the directions given.
Press Next at the left to go on.
When you get to a question, type in your answer(s), and then click CHECK ANSWER.
Usually, your score, the correct answer(s), and feedback will be shown. (You may have to scroll down the page.)
If you did not get the problem right, you may click Redo Question to the left (if available) to try the problem again. Otherwise you can try again during another attempt of the unit.
When you are ready to move on to another question, either:
choose a question number link from the status bar at the top of the page,
or click Previous or Next to the left,
Click Unit Menu to the left to return to the complete unit list.
When you are done working, click Assignments and check your current grade.
Click the Logout button on the left side of the page to exit the OWL system.
Miscellaneous
Click Course Notes to see any instructor announcements.
Click Contact Info to change your email and phone information.
Click Appendix to view helpful information.
Click Units to see the acceptable units and abbreviations for the system.
Click Help for the User’s Manual including the online tutorial, Browsing for Beginners.
Click Send Message to report a problem or ask a question.