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Getting
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What
is WebCT?
WebCT
(Web Course Tools) is a web-based software application that offers
a suite of tools for administering a course, delivering instruction
and facilitating student interaction online. WebCT is an easy
alternative to creating a web site from scratch. The variety of
tools allow faculty to create an online environment for their
class based on their individual goals and objectives for their
course. At Bard, faculty use WebCT tools for a variety of purposes,
from posting information online to facilitating discussions to
multimedia presentations.
How
is Bard faculty using WebCT?
Bard
faculty is using WebCT tools for posting information online and
also as a way to facilitate communication between and among their
students.
Faculty
members’ usage in the past few semesters includes:
- posting
a syllabus
- posting
class announcements via the electronic bulletin board
- extending
classroom discussions via the electronic bulletin board
- creating
links to sites on the world wide web
- creating
searchable image databases
- assigning
students to create online presentations (text only or multimedia)
- posting
events/due dates on the online calendar
- using
private email within the WebCT course
- facilitating
class discussions using the chat room
- using
online quizzes for tests and review (one professor has even
placed images to review in the quiz module)
What
are the benefits of using WebCT?
Practical benefits:
- access
class material 24 hours /7 days a week via the www.
- archive
bulletin board messages and/or chat room discussions for future
reference.
- use
course material again; make simple updates to dates or changes
in content (student information, including discussions can be
deleted while course content remains intact).
Pedagogical benefits:
- electronic
bulletin boards and chat rooms allow every student to have a
chance to speak and create collaborative learning environments.
- image
databases and audio files create additional content for class
discussions, assignments.
- bring
virtual visitors to a chat room so your class can have a "live"
discussion/lecture with a scholar on the other side of the globe
- online
student presentation create yet another type of collaborative
learning experience where students view each other's work
There
are many other uses that are particular to the specific content
that is being taught. See WebCT's site (http://www.webct.com
) for information they have compiled: WebCT's Tools and Good Teaching
Principles.
What
does a WebCT course look like?
To
see a sample WebCT course:
- Go
to inside.bard.edu and click on WebCT and log in
- or
follow this link http://webct.bard.edu/webct/homearea/homearea
- Enter
Faculty1 for your username.
- Enter
tour for your password.
- Click
on either of the tours to explore the course
What technological skills will I need to use
WebCT?
If
you can use Microsoft Word and a web browser, you can use WebCT!
The WebCT Basic Training information packet provides you
with step-by-step instructions on WebCT Basics:
This
packet is available in hardcopy at the Faculty Lab, or click on
the PDF links above.
You
must have Netscape 4.0 or Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher
to use WebCT. To check what version browser you are currently
using, look in the box below.
How do I request a WebCT course?
If this is your first time using WebCT, you should read "Getting
Started with WebCT." Otherwise, go directly to the online course
request page, fill out the form, and submit it. You will receive
a response within 3 days.
What
happens to my WebCT course after the semester is over?
The course can be archived for future use. That is, student's
names and work can be removed, but other content can remain in
the course. When you wish to teach the course again, you simply
request that it be reactivated.
For
information on how to use individual tools in WebCT, see the Help
and Guides section of this site.
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