WebCT
Faculty Tip Sheets
Course Backup and Restore Instructions
What is a backup? Why should I make one?
A backup is a copy of your course. When a backup is created, WebCT compresses your course into a .zip file. Think of the backup file as a vacuum storage bag (a bag in which items such as comforters, pillows, sweaters, etc. are stored). When it is time to save a copy of your course for your records, you don't want a 2 GB course on your hard drive. By creating a backup, you suck all of the air out of your course and are left with a small, compressed file.
You should make backups at the end of each semester and any time you make major changes (i.e. colors, layout, grades, etc.) to your course.
To create a backup:
NOTE: To view an interactive Flash demo of how to create and download a backup, click here. If you do not have Flash on your computer, download it from Macromedia's download site.
- From your myWebCT page, click the Course functions button. The Course and Backup Listing screen appears.
Note: UNLV currently restricts each course to two backups. If you already have two backups, you will need to delete one of them to make room for the backup you are about to create. For instructions on how to delete backups, click here.
- Select the check box next to each course you want to backup. Note: You can create more than one course backup at a time.
- Under Options, click Create backups. The Create Backup screen appears.
- Enter a short description for each of your backups. When you are finished, click Create.
- You have successfully completed the backup process and are now ready to restore your backups.
To restore your backup:
- If you are not already in the Course Functions area, go to myWebCT. From there, click Course functions. The Course and Backup Listing screen appears.
- Select the check box next to the backup you want to restore. Note: You can restore only one backup at a time.
- Under Options, click Restore backup. The Restore Course screen appears.
- Select the check box next to each course into which you want to restore the backup. Check to make sure you are selecting a course in the desired term. Important: The selected courses will be overwritten by the backup.
- Under Options, click Keep Users . A warning message appears. Note: Selecting one of the other options creates problems that must be solved by the WebCT Administrator. Please use caution when performing this step and ensure that you select Keep Users.
- Click OK. A progress bar will appear. Let the progress bar run until it completes the restore. Do NOT interrupt the restoration process. Doing so could corrupt your course. If your encounter problems during this step, please contact the Computing Resource Center.
- When the progress bar finishes, a success message will appear. The course backup is restored to the selected courses.
- Click Continue. The Course and Backup Listing screen appears.
