WebCT as a Tool in Distance Learning Murali Shanker Department of M&IS College of Business
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker2 Why WebCT? Flexibility to organize online content Several tools for student management and evaluation Standard and extended tools for student interaction Synchronization with other campus systems Help and support
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker3 Why Not WebCT? File management Web interface requirements
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker4 Class Characteristics Fundamentals of Business Statistics Required for all business students Two traditional (in-class) sections are offered each term Web class being offered for the first time this term Enrollment: In-class: 300; Web: 30
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker5 Class Characteristics (cont.) Emphasis on real-world applications Information gathering exercises 8 quizzes and 3 examinations Several extra-credit quizzes Multiple surveys
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker6 Study Aids Online lectures with audio and animationaudio and animation Interactive exercises Let’s Do It! Problems Let’s Do It! Chapter exercises Practice quizzes
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker7 Evaluation Tools Online quizzes Extra credit quizzes Examinations: Online for web students, and in-class for traditional students
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker8 Communication Tools Chat Whiteboard Bulletin board
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker9 My Tools Dreamweaver (for HTML, JavaScript) Flash (for audio, text, and animation) Java (for animation) Adobe Photoshop / Imageready SAMBA / WebDAV for connecting to server Netscape 4.76, Mozilla 0.7, Internet Explorer 5.5 (don’t use), Opera 5.02
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker10 Suggestions Keep only secure materials on WebCT site. All other materials, keep on your (or Kent) server. Stick to browsers, and avoid IE 5.5 or Netscape 6.0.
February 16, 2001Open House - Shanker11 Conclusions For the most part, WebCT does provide a comprehensive approach to delivering online content.