WebCT Users Group
From CTLpedia
Project Summary: The WebCT Users Group consists of MCC faculty who utilize WebCT software in their teaching. Faculty and CTL staff gather several times a semester to exchange information about WebCT.
Contents |
Project Goals
- Provide a mechanism whereby faculty can share pedagogical approaches taken with WebCT.
- Provide continuing education for faculty on upgrades/changes in WebCT technology and distance learning.
- Support networking among faculty who teach distance or hybrid classes.
Relation to CTL Department Plan Initiatives
- 2006-7 #6 CTL Innovative Instructional Technologies Program -- To provide effective support for teaching and learning with technology, CTL staff must explore, develop and experiment with promising new instructional technologies that have potential to enhance teaching and learning. These activities will allow us to recommend and support appropriate technologies to promote learning outcomes.
- 2007-8 #1 Evaluate, promote, and support innovative and appropriate use of new instructional and multimedia technologies (especially those that integrate with WebCT and MCC Online).
Project Staff
- Peggy Johnson plans the agendas for the WebCT Users Group meetings and promotes attendance among faculty.
- Donna Gaudet attends the meetings, providing extensive experience utilizing WebCT and supporting faculty who use it.
- Melanie Kroening attends the meetings and often leads the discussion of topics for the group, drawing on her extensive WebCT programming experience.
- Jeff Anderson makes periodic presentations to the group, drawing on his extensive WebCT programming and multimedia experience.
- Peggy Johnson posts minutes of the meetings on the CTL website for those faculty who are unable to attend the meetings.
Project Timeline
- The WebCT Users Group was initiated in Fall, 2003, by Donna Gaudet.
- The group meets several times each semester.
Current Status
- Increased interest in using WebCT and continued expansion of available WebCT tools makes the group an important liason between CTL staff with technical expertise and faculty in the classroom.
Future Directions
- The WebCT Users Group will support faculty using WebCT, or other course management system at MCC. Technology is continually changing and faculty need technical support to utilize software to its fullest and modify pedagogical approaches based on their students.
Project Resources
- Staff time has been required to plan and deliver meeting agendas.
- Staff time has been required to advertise and register participants for meetings.
- Staff must continually upgrade their knowledge of WebCT and supplementary software so as to educate MCC faculty in its evolving use.
Project Outcomes
- Faculty are inspired when they see their colleagues implementing innovative strategies using WebCT in their classes.
- The number of faculty using WebCT has increased dramatically. Making faculty comfortable using the tools available for delivering effective online resources is an important task facing the CTL for the forseeable future.
- Faculty who are experienced WebCT users serve as mentors for those interested just beginnning to explore the exciting potential of WebCT.
