Help! Communication

As with all university bodies the VUB uses particular databases and software that unless one has prior experience with, may not be all that familiar or obvious to the incoming student. Additionally the MSc in Educational Sciences follows a Blended Learning approach meaning all the more reason to familiarise yourself and get comfortable with the online communication tools.

The three most important (PAM, WEBMAIL, POINTCARRE) are listed below as well as Important Offices and their respective campus locations.

             CC BY-ND Karen Triquet

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PAM

PAM - Meaning Personal Account Manager is the first line of contact you will have with the university (online) apart from your personal email address. This system allows you to set and modify your password using your NetID provided by the university upon successful registration. You will need your pin code and enrolment number - received during the registration/student card process.

The password set here will then allow you to access and manage the your university accounts, the VUBnet, and online databases (Library, Pointcarre, Webmail etc). Additionally, PAM can be used when you want to top up your print credit and manage/view your administrative data. The NetID registration is equally necessary if you want to register a number plate for parking purposes , wireless access, modify classes and check exam results. 

Tip:**It is advisable to change ones password from time to time.

© Vrije Universiteit Brussel

To go register for a net ID follow this link: https://idsapp.ulb.ac.be/pam/pamsignup.php?language=uk
(The registration process takes about 24 hours to occur. Following that time, you will have a NetID and a university email address- see Webmail information below)


To access PAM follow this link: https://idsapp.ulb.ac.be/pam/pamlogin.php

WEBMAIL

The webmail is your university created email account. All students and staff at the VUB have one and it composed generally of firstname+lastname@vub.ac.be, with few (lengthy name) exceptions. This makes it easy to send your classmates and teachers emails if you know their full names.

Generally the university and official directed mail/communication, if not sent through Pointcarre, will be sent to your registered student webmail. This address can be redirected to your usual mail if you do not want to have to continuously check multiple accounts. 

Additionally being a webmail it does not have a very large storage memory, so emails sent with attachments for instance - the attachment will not be kept on your account following the sent item, as might be the case on other larger mail accounts. So if you want the attachment to best solution is to send it to yourself too.

FOR MORE INFORMATION (found on the left hand side) and to go to THE WEBMAIL LOGIN PAGE: CLICK HERE

POINT CARRE

Is a Learning Management System (LMS) similar to Blackboard and Moodle in that it "offers a wide range of e-learning functionalities, including course materials, course agendas, discussion forums, group functionalities, training communities, test functionality, 'ad valvas' functionality and curriculum information."(Vrije Universiteit website, 2012)

The open source software LMS is based on Chamilo (a product co-developed with the educational technology department at the VUB) and is a branch off of Dokeos LMS. Below is a short video stating its functions as an e-learning platform and briefly giving an overall view and understanding of the system.

Created by Nosolored SL ( http://www.nosolored.com ) - Chamilo Association (http://www.chamilo.org) - 2011

On your PointCarre homepage you will find your registered courses and a whole host of tools such as learning paths, peer assessment, and those mentioned above, which can be followed at ones desired pace. The best way for you as a student to understand the system is to, once you have gained access, to have a look at the different tabs and options available.

For the VUB English version 'How To Guide' and the COMPLETE MANUEL of PointCarre and its possibilities for you as a student CLICK HERE

ICT Help desk for assisstance - CLICK HERE

For more General description of PointCarre and its LMS make-up CLICK HERE

TO LOG IN ONTO YOUR OWN HOMEPAGE : https://pointcarre.vub.ac.be/cas/login?service=http%3A%2F%2Fpointcarre.vub.ac.be%2F

COURSE-RELATED OFFICES

                CC BY-ND Karen Triquet

Additionally although emails, online communication, and work can be used for numerous issues, questions, and tasks...sometimes you just want to discuss face to face. With that in mind, below are the general - first point of contact- course related offices and their locations/contacts.

>Secretary (for general information, teachers mailboxes, task submission): Mrs. Karina Van den Berghe Room: 3B255 Tel. +32 (0)2 629.13.10 Email: karina.van.den.berghe@vub.ac.be

>For all Masters related questions: Ms. Sabrina Gutierrez Vidal Room: 3B206 Tel.+32 (0)2 629.35.06 Email: Sabrina.Gutierrez.Vidal@vub.ac.be

Educational Sciences General Office: Building B - 3rd Floor Room 255

GENERAL UNIVERSITY ORGANISATION

For those of you who really want to know where you stand in the organisation of your university and the whos who on a large scale. Follow the link below to see the universities organisational chart and its actors: http://www.vub.ac.be/english/home/organizationchart/index.html


FOR ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONS YOU CAN ALSO GET REDIRECTED TO THE 'ADMINISTRATIVE DEMANDS BLOG' BY CLICKING HERE