1. Why/When should I use Blackboard
or WebCT? And, then, which one?
Blackboard and WebCT, two Web-based learning systems,
can be used to distribute course information (e.g., syllabus,
grading procedures, project descriptions) and course documents
(e.g. text, images, short video/audio clips, animations) to students
for anytime, anyplace access. They can also be used for small
group or large group discussions and for class surveys and quizzes.
When should you use a Web-based learning system? When such a system
will help you meet your course objectives in an efficient and
effective manner. Blackboard and WebCT have similar features.
Which one you choose to use will depend on what department you
are in, what you wish to do, and how you wish to do it. If you
want help making a decision on whether or not to use a Web-based
learning system or on which one to use, contact Donna Raleigh
(836-5162, draleigh@uwec.edu)
or Kathy Finder (836-2654, finderks@uwec.edu).
2. How can I structure
my student presentations in an online environment?
If you are using Blackboard or WebCT, you can have
students complete presentations or projects individually or in
small groups. Generally, it is critical to structure the assignment
well and to provide clear directions for the students on how to
"publish" their presentation/project for other class
members to see. Because presentation assignments are generally
unique, you may want to discuss the assignment with a colleague
who has assigned a presentation online or with one of the CITI
support staff.
3. How should I structure
questions to stimulate discussions in an online environment?
This, too, will depend on your goals and objectives.
What is it you wish to accomplish with your on-line discussion?
In general, you need to carefully plan your questions so that
they are not so narrow that the first student responds with all
"the good stuff" leaving nothing for the other students
to do but agree. On the other hand, a question that is too broad
may lead to many different conversational threads and not actually
hit on your purpose for the question. Using questions that help
students make use of their attitudes, values, and prior knowledge
work well. So do questions that require students to reflect, analyze,
synthesize, compare and contrast; in other words, those questions
that require the higher level thinking skills. These kinds of
questions tend to be open-ended questions rather than closed questions,
questions that require a definite answer.
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4. Can I do quizzes
online? What are the issues I should be concerned about?
Both Blackboard and WebCT allow you to create and
administer quizzes and surveys. Both support a variety of question
types (multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer, essay)
and both will score the objective portion of any quiz automatically.
Besides creating questions related to your objectives, you may
want to consider when and how long you want the quiz available,
whether or not to make it a timed quiz, should questions be randomized,
and should the quiz be password protected. All of these will help
you minimize the situations that are less controllable: the students'
use of notes/textbooks, student/student collaboration and absolute
certainty that the correct student is taking the quiz.
5. How can I distribute
documents to and collect documents from my students electronically?
Both Blackboard and WebCT have digital drop boxes
which allow students to "drop off" their assignments
and for you to collect and return the assignments electronically.
Other ways to collect assignments electronically include email
attachments and the use of the DeptDir shared spaces. Each academic
department has a space on DeptDir where faculty can leave assignments
for students and students can leave assignments for their instructors.
Appropriate permissions can be assigned to assure security. For
more information on collecting and distributing documents contact
Donna Raleigh (836-5162, draleigh@uwec.edu)
or Kathy Finder (836-2654, finderks@uwec.edu).
6. What is SCORM?
Should I care?
SCORM
stands for "Sharable Content Object Reference Model,"
and it refers to the standards that make it possible to share
content between various Web-based learning systems. For example,
a SCORM-compliant document would be loadable to your local website,
to Blackboard or to WebCT without any file conversions. While
SCORM standards are just being developed, the concept of "sharable
content objects" is useful for faculty as they move from
one Web-based learning system to another. It's also useful to
know that materials you receive with your textbooks can be loaded
into the Web-based learning system of your choice.
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