FAQs - Web Drop Folders Version 2.0

What is Web Drop Folder 2.0?

Web drop folders are a secure and convenient place for students to submit any work in electronic form using a web browser. Student files are kept in a centrally-administered database and are accessible only to the course instructor and authorized teaching assistants.

Students receive confirmation of successful submission of files and are able to pickup annotated "graded" copies if the instructor makes them available.

How do Faculty Access the Program?

Faculty access the program via the URL: https://webdrop.d.umn.edu/.

After authenticating (using their x.500 username and password combination), they will see the faculty view of the program.

Setting up a Course Folder

Faculty members can create webdrop folders for a course. TA's should contact the instructor of a course to have one created and the TA added to the access list.

To create a course folder:

1. Access the web drop folder program
2. Click the link "Create a new Dropfolder for a course"
3. From the subject drop down list, choose the subject for the course
4. Enter the course number in the course number field
5. Click the button "Open a New Folder"
6. On the next page select the Year and Semester for the course.
7. The class list for this course will be automatically added and will update as students add and drop the course using the official registration process.

How do Students Access the Program?

Students access the program via the URL: https://webdrop.d.umn.edu.

After authenticating (using their x.500 username and password combination), they will see the student view of the program.

How do TAs Access the Program?

Teaching Assistants access the program via the URL: https://webdrop.d.umn.edu.

After authenticating (using their x.500 username and password combination), they will see a subset of the faculty view of the program.

Teaching assistants need to be added to the course as TA's by the instructor.

How to Download Student Files

To read student files, you will download (i.e. "copy") them to your desktop computer. They will saved to your desktop as a zipped file. This file, when unzipped, will create a set of folders containing subfolders for your course(s), the students in the course, and the files themselves.

To download files:

1. Access the web drop folder program
2. Click the link "Manage Available course folders"
3. Choose the appropriate folder from the list
4. Click the "Submit Option" button
5. Select the "Show/Get New Uploaded Documents" option
6. Click the "Submit Option" button
7. Click the check box(es) next to the file(s) you want to download
8. Click the button "Get Documents"

The file(s) will be zipped into a single document and copied to your desktop. Depending upon your computer's settings, the file may unzip automatically, or you may need to double-click on the file to unzip it.

The files will be saved in a folder on your desktop entitled "webapps" with subfolders within for course and student.

Once a file has been downloaded, it no longer will appear in your list. It is NOT gone, but we do not show it in the new files list. If you need to reaccess it, contact the people under the section "Where to get help".

Important: the web drop folder does not check for viruses. Keep your computer's virus protection software up to date!

How to Return Files

You can annotate files and dropthem to the web drop folder for students to pick up later.

To return a file:

1. Access the web drop folder program
2. Click the link "Manage Available course folders"
3. Choose the appropriate folder from the list
4. Click the "Submit Option" button
5. Select the option "Return Submitted document into Student Folder"
6. Click the "Submit Option" button
7. Click the id for the student
8. Browse for the file on your computer
9. Once you have located the file, click the "Send File" button

Maximum Filesize

Each file uploaded to the web drop folder can be up to 10 MB in size. It does not matter what type of file it is.

If instructors find they need to allow for larger files to be dropped into their web drop course folder, they should contact the people noted under "Where to Get Help".

Important: storage fees for files stored in course web drop folders are charged to the instructor's department in a fashion similar to file storage on the main web server. For more information regarding file storage fees, please see the ITSS Fees and Rates Page

Deleting a Course

Deleting a course is a drastic step and should only be done once you are certain you do not need the course folder and the documents submitted into it.

To delete a course folder:

1. Access the web drop folder program
2. Click the link "Manage Available course folders"
3. Choose the appropriate folder from the list
4. Click the "Submit Option" button
5. Select the option "Enable Course Folder Deletion For This Course Only"
6. Click the "Submit Option" button
7. Select the "Delete Course Folder and all Documents" option
8. Click the "Submit Option" button

Where to Get Help

You can email or call: Bruce Reeves (breeves@d.umn.edu or x-6831), Amanda Evans (amevans@d.umn.edu or x-7680) or Robert Sand (rsand@d.umn.edu or x-6122) for help.