lms

Current uses of WebCT and other online tools

Several of the faculty who attended aren't regular users of WebCT, but use course web sites and blogs instead. Most who didn't use WebCT use a course web site to post content (handouts, assignments). One had her own online quiz tool, and also password protected areas of her web site. Of those using WebCT, uses included posting of handouts, readings (replacing/reducing printed coursepacks), quizzes, students sharing documents, discussions, chat rooms, gradebook, posting audio and video files. Being able to use accents in typing is critical.

Frustrations with current tools - things they'd like an LMS to do better

Faculty are frustrated with the equation editor. They want one that is truly WYSIWYG, and that they can use anywhere they can input text.

They are also frustrated with image management, finding it too difficult to insert images inline (say in a question). Also difficult to create a question with an image scaled to an appropriate size, while still keeping the image readable.

They are also frustrated with WebCT courses going away after a semester. They would like an easy way to access and review past courses. On this same note, storage for large files is an issue - some classes require lots of large images and some faculty aren't comfortable with their current storage options.

Some expressed dislike for the fact that a WebCT course was closed to outsiders. Others liked this.

Uploading files to WebCT is awkward to do and they would like a better option. One did say that WebDAV, which is an option on WebCT though not widely used, would be satisfactory but she hadn't set it up yet because it seemed like too much work given that WebCT is going away. She did say she would set it up for a new system, though.

Things they like about current tools - hope a new LMS will allow them to still do this

They like using WebCT for students uploading and sharing documents, for linking outside the course, for storing course content, for chatting, discussions (though not used much by faculty attending our sessions), quizzing, making grades available, typing in a foreign language (accent marks), listening to audio files. All these things they will need to continue to do in a new LMS. Most of these they find essential.

One faculty member pointed out that some of what she does on webct - particularly making documents available to students - could be done on a web site, but by using webct she doesn't have to spend time thinking about design or navigation.

They also like being able to use publisher supplied content (eg, epacks) and are concerned that by not using WebCT or Blackboard in the future this ability may go away.

Things they can't do easily now, and would like to be able to do

They would like to be able to easily upload images with a space for some data about the images.

Would like a way for students to mark up documents that faculty post online (eg, readings) the way they would mark up a printed reading.

Would like the LMS to facilitate communication with students. Frustrated with using campus email, and would find it nice if the LMS offered a communication option that would be better.

They would like a better equation editor, and want to be able to insert raw HTML into questions.

Faculty sense of student reaction to WebCT

Students have complained about the quiz tool, especially the fact that they need to make adjustments to their pop-up blocking settings.

They like having access to content and documents online. Some faculty say they appreciate having readings online instead of buying a thicker coursepack. Others say that students don't like doing readings online and complain about cost of printing readings (this may be at other campuses).

Other notes

Some of the faculty who are using a course web site now are happy with what they are doing and don't feel they'd be likely to adopt any LMS, even a new system. Others are interested in giving a new LMS a try.

Faculty are asking about how content can be moved from WebCT into new system, and also about gaining access to old content which is just available in a WebCT backup file.