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About WebCT

About WebCT
About WebCT .................................................................................................................................... 1 What is WebCT and how can it be used?......................................................................................... 1 What do you need to use WebCT?.................................................................................................... 1 System Requirements.............................................................................................................. 1 Skills .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Which types of content can be used? ................................................................................... 2 Integration with other software .......................................................................................................... 3 Support and training........................................................................................................................... 3 Scheduled Workshops............................................................................................................. 3 Course design consultation.................................................................................................... 4 Support for School-based support staff................................................................................ 5 Technical Advice...................................................................................................................... 5 Web site and contact details................................................................................................... 5

What is WebCT and how can it be used?

WebCT (Web Course Tools) is a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). This is an application that enables teaching staff to provide access to course materials and resources, to support and manage class projects and assessments and to communicate online with students. For example, WebCT can be employed in any of the following ways: To create a complete integrated course on the Web (e.g. distance learning course) To facilitate a group project using the online discussion tool and links to material For online class discussion and tutorials For revision and self-assessment exercises using the Quiz tool As a means of presenting multimedia materials, for example music, poetry, video As a gateway to a selection of external URLs for research purposes To facilitate online student presentations (individual or group Web pages) To provide supplementary information or facilities (e.g. online course guide) To place lecture notes online, and support them with Web links, glossary and search tools

What do you need to use WebCT?

System Requirements
To design and deliver a course in WebCT you need an Internet connection and a current web browser such as Internet Explorer (v6 or above) or Netscape (v7.2 or above). Java is required for some WebCT components, such as Chat.

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1. About WebCT

If you are using an unsupported browser or Java version, a message informing you of this will be displayed upon entering WebCT. You can also check your browser and whether it is supported by entering WebCT and clicking on the Check Browser link in the panel at the top of the My WebCT page. This page will also provide information on supported browsers, and links for downloading them and the Java software. If you are installing an updated version of Internet Explorer, visit the Universitys web page http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/ie6 for detailed information and easy-to-follow instructions. Please note that Internet Explorer (IE) is the Universitys recommended Internet browser. If you have problems updating your browser and settings, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@abdn.ac.uk or call extn 3636. If you have problems accessing WebCT from off-campus, this may be due to firewall or virus protection software on your computer. For more information see the information page Using WebCT off-campus: common problems and solutions at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/webct/factsheets/webctoffampushelp.htm

Skills
WebCT itself is easy to use, and basic Windows file management skills along with an understanding of the Internet are the only pre-requisite skills. Any additional skill requirements are related to the type of files you put into WebCT (see table below).

Which types of content can be used?

The table below lists the main file types that can be uploaded and used in WebCT: File types: HTML files Use for: Course content and supporting materials; instructions for projects/tutorials. Create in/source: Files can be created by either: Typing/pasting directly into WebCTs HTML editor Using an HTML application, such as Dreamweaver Converting from Word (can cause problems with formatting) Word, Excel, PowerPoint Or have PowerPoint files compressed for quicker downloading (especially helpful for distance delivery) this can include audio narratives. From: Own photographs Free sources on the Web Image editing software Support/training: For queries on WebCTs HTML Editor, contact webct@abdn.ac.uk, extn 3765 For Dreamweaver Courses (run by the Web Design Unit), see http://www.abdn.ac.uk/web/c ourses.hti Courses in Word, Excel, PowerPoint: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/ta d/courses/ Impatica information and support at webct@abdn.ac.uk, extn 3765 Contact webct@abdn.ac.uk, extn 3765 with initial queries.

Files for external applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoin t Image files: .gif and .jpg

Course guides, reading lists, data for projects, lecture notes; supporting material and guidelines for projects/tutorials. Illustration and diagrams. Can also be used for icons, and for logos or banners at the top of e.g.

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File types:

Use for: Home pages.

Create in/source:

Support/training:

Multimedia files (video and audio clips) such as .avi, .mpg and .mp3; also animations and Flash movies

Illustration, example, simulation, resources.

From: Own video/audio recordings and other sources.

Contact webct@abdn.ac.uk, extn 3765 with initial queries

Integration with other software

If you are using Question Mark Perception for delivering online assessment, you can place a direct link from your WebCT course to a test. Students who are already logged on to WebCT can access the test without logging on again, and their results are automatically returned to the Grade Book in WebCT. A similar link will be available for Turnitin, the plagiarism detection software, from the beginning of AY 2006/7.

Support and training

WebCT is supported at Aberdeen by the Centre for Learning & Teaching. If you have any queries about using WebCT, or if you would like to discuss an idea for your course, please contact us at webct@abdn.ac.uk, or call extn 3765.

Scheduled Workshops
All scheduled workshops can be booked online at: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/tad/courses/

WebCT course development workshops These regular workshops are aimed at both new and existing users of WebCT. If you already have a WebCT site you can use this session for uploading further materials, adding tools or making other changes to your site. If you are a new user this workshop begins with an introduction to WebCT and a demonstration of the basic tasks. After this you begin to work on the development of your WebCT site using your own teaching materials, with the workshop leaders on hand to discuss your ideas and to provide advice, examples demonstrations as required. WebCT clinics WebCT clinics are drop-in sessions aimed at existing users of WebCT. Come along with any questions or ideas you have regarding your WebCT site and explore ways in which you can develop it further. Or simply use this session to upload new materials or to edit and update those

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previously uploaded. Tools workshops In addition to the generic workshops above we run sessions on using the specialist WebCT tools. Find out how to use the assessment tool to build online tests for self-assessment, skills audits, revision and pre-tutorial investigations, or look at ways to use tools such as discussion and chat for collaborative work and projects. We also offer, in collaboration with the School of Education, a workshop on Tutoring online in WebCT. This workshop covers areas such as induction, how to design and online discussion, the role of moderators and designing individual and group activities.

Tailored workshops for Schools & programme teams

We provide workshops for Schools and programme teams on request. These workshops are developed in consultation with Heads of School, School representatives or Programme coordinators. They are designed to reflect a local implementation of WebCT and any relevant factors such as distance learning issues or assessment strategies, or to focus training around a School WebCT template where one is in use. The workshops are often co-presented with a member of School staff. If you would like to arrange a workshop for your School or programme, on any aspect of WebCT, please contact us at webct@abdn.ac.uk, or call extension 3765.

School & programme templates

Several Schools now use a template for WebCT courses. This ensures a consistent set of Schoolspecific links and a familiar look-and-feel for all courses. Teaching staff requesting a WebCT site are provided with the template used in their School. They can upload materials and extend the structure as required. Templates can also be provided for individual programmes To view some examples of templates that have already been developed for Schools, go to http://webct.abdn.ac.uk/ and log on as templateguest for both username and password. If you would like to discuss a template for your School or programme please contact us at webct@abdn.ac.uk, or call extension 3765.

Course design consultation

We work with individuals and course teams to help in the development of WebCT course and programme sites. Depending on your requirements these consultations might take the form of a single meeting or a series of joint development sessions when we work on your course with you. We will discuss your ideas with you and help you to find the most appropriate solutions as regards the tools used and the structure of your site, and can advise on accessibility, usability and pedagogical design issues. Other services, such as training for support staff or documentation for students, are also available as required.

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Support for School-based support staff

In most Schools WebCT is supported on a day-to-day basis by secretarial staff. We provide training sessions on request specifically for support staff within a School, either on a group or oneto-one basis. We can also advise and assist in the development of structures and strategies for administration of a Schools WebCT courses, including content and student management.

Technical Advice
If you have any technical problems with using WebCT, please contact us at webct@abdn.ac.uk or call extn 3765.

Web site and contact details

Our WebCT information site at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/webct/ provides a range of documentation and details of training events, as well as a Web-based form for applying for a blank WebCT course. For further information on any of the above, contact webct@abdn.ac.uk or call extn 3765.

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