Introduction
In this lecture I will be talking about where we were and where we are going
with WebCT and all the trials and tribulations along the way. I look forward
to and welcome your questions and comments during our time together.
Contents
History
Lewis & Clark received a Title III Grant to pilot an online learning
environment for students. Since our classes are grant funded certain elements,
calendar, weekly lecture notes, quizzes, etc., must be incorporated into each
online and web-enhanced course offered by L&C. Online and web-enhanced
classes have slightly different requirements. When I first started working
with WebCT we were using version 2.2. We had started looking at upgrading
WebCT as our version was slowly becoming less and less supported for updates
and hot fixes. Primarily WebCT was patching problems that we discovered because
there were much newer versions of WebCT in which problems we were experiencing
had been resolved.
Over this past summer we upgraded to version 3.6. At the same time we also
migrated to a new server. While an upgrade took a great deal of work, the
migration also added a new dimension of problems and issues for us. I will
discuss those issues in the “What I have learned” section.
When we started using WebCT in the first year of the grant, students and
designers were allowed to add students to the global database. As we grew
and began expanding we realized that this procedure actually started posing
problems for us. For instance: we originally purchased a limited use license.
Because students and faculty could add students to the global database, we
found ourselves with duplicate accounts and over the limited use license.
Again, I will expand on this issue in the “What I have learned” section.
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WebCT Tools
Let's begin by taking a look at the various WebCT tools.
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What I Have Learned
The following represent some lessons learned through the use of WebCT
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Take A Tour of WebCT Classes
You are Welcome to take a tour of two courses specially created for this
course. These courses were created using the current, original course developed
by our faculty. In order to protect our students, we have deleted actual student
material. Both of these classes are offered as online classes. One is more
graphically involved while the other is simple in design.
View Course as a designer:
You have the ability to access a course as a designer. You will need to access
the course with the user ID and password below. Please note: Ids and
passwords are case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as shown.
| WebCT ID: |
3Student20 |
| Password: |
student20 |
Click on the link below to access the course.
View Course as a student:
Again, you have the ability to access a course as a student. You will need
to access the course with the user ID and password below. Please note:
Ids and passwords are case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as
shown.
| WebCT ID: |
3Student20 |
| Password: |
student20 |
Click on the link below to access the course.
Log Onto WebCT
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Advice to Others
“WebCT Commandments”
- Always do your “homework”. (Research as much as possible
when doing anything with WebCT. Never assume that you have found all
the information because there will surely be someone else that has a
;missing’ piece.)
- Always configure your browser correctly and use the “recommended” version. (Again,
version 3.6 is far more browser and cache dependent. Configuring your
browser can help to prevent problems within the course.)
- As a designer, always provide clear instructions to your students
when creating assignments. (Remember that if you are teaching an
online class, you don’t usually see your students. Communicating
with them and clearly defining expectations and giving more detailed
instructions about assignments will alleviate student confusion. Students
who feel like they have their instructor’s “ear” tend
to continue with the course.)
- Always remember when you or your students experience technical problems,
that traditional classes have problems too, online class problems are
just different. (Students and faculty can get discouraged when
they can’t access the internet due to ISP problems or downtime
with the server. Reassuring students that you understand this and make
adjustments as necessary to due dates and such. I have found that reminding
students that traditional classes have problems too often helps reduce
student frustration as well.)
- Always check your email, discussion board and grade assignments. (If
there is one thing I hear quite often from students is that they are
having a problem and have “emailed their instructor but have not
heard back from them.” As an instructor you are often pulled in
many different directions, but it is vital to the success of your online
students to communicate with them at least daily and respond to their
needs. )
- Always backup your courses. (Our server is backed up nightly
as part of the campus back up. Back ups are maintained on a weekly basis
and rotated. In this way we can ensure that we have access to at least
7 days worth of backups.)
- Always communicate technical problems with the technical staff. (WebCT
can be “glitchy” and if you see something that seems out of
the ordinary, it is important to document the problem/issue. Don’t
assume that the technical staff already knows about the issue.)
- Always have a good time with your students. (Online teaching
is fun! Taking a class online is fun! Have fun with your course and your
students.)
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Summary
In summary, for all the ranting and raving I have done about WebCT I have
found the software to be easy to learn. Sometimes the logic for creating tools
or things in WebCT can seem rather illogical at times, but the potential and
capabilities for growth and expansion of your class is limited only by your
imagination and creativity. If you are “creatively challenged” (as
I often am) WebCT had built in tools to help build your class so that it looks
like you are creative.
I welcome your questions and comments. Take some time to “play” in
WebCT – touring classes provided. I will post discussion questions within
the ION Class – Student Mode. If you are interested in participating,
please “stop by”.
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