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WebCT's digital content solutions provide innovative ways for faculty
of all experience levels with online learning to enhance their existing
WebCT courses. If you are new to online teaching and learning, you
can take advantage of digital content that is ready-to-use in WebCT,
rather than starting from scratch.
WebCT's digital content solutions also provide the depth in functionality
and pedagogical flexibility to support even the most advanced online
course designers and instructors. Instead of spending countless
hours developing multimedia course materials from the ground up,
you can immediately access a suite of fully customizable, media-rich
online course materials found in WebCT's digital content solutions,
such as e-Packs.
Based on feedback from instructors about the features in WebCT
e-Packs that help them the most, here are just a few of the ways
you can enhance your existing WebCT courses with digital content:
Question Database with Varied Question Types
Why waste time creating all of your quiz questions and answers
from scratch? Many e-Packs include several pre-made quizzes and
self-tests that are ideal for student practice and review.The
self-tests and quizzes are a separate tool/function than the Question
Database. Self test only allows for MC questions. The question
databases typically contain varied question types, such as matching,
true-false, and multiple choice. You can immediately leverage
these questions in your existing courses, giving students rich,
rapid feedback on their performance.
Interactive Games
More and more educators are interested in using games to enhance
online learning. Many WebCT e-Packs contain ready-to-use, pre-loaded
games, saving you the time and resources required to create games
on your own. For example, you could present quiz questions in
the format of a fun, interactive game show. You could also quiz
students on vocabulary terms by presenting them in the format
of a pre-designed crossword puzzle.
Audio Flashcards
What could be more effective in a language course than a "talking
glossary"? Many e-Packs contain "audio flashcards", allowing students
to see a term or textual definition and then hear the pronunciation.
This helps students to build their knowledge by providing an effective
structure for learning terms at a pace that is most effective
for them, contributing to a highly individualized learning experience.
In many e-Packs, you can also randomize the order of the audio
flashcards. Audio flashcards are particularly helpful in Modern
Language or Science courses.
Video Animations
Many e-Packs contain video clips that visually demonstrate course
concepts with accompanying audio. For example, in a Physical Science
course, you could give students immediate access to a video clip
demonstrating the density of solids and liquids, with a voice-over
that explains the scientific processes that students are observing.
Simulations and Virtual Environments
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a virtual environment
is priceless. Using simulations and virtual environments found
in many WebCT e-Packs, you can replicate issues that students
will encounter in the real world. For example, in an IT Troubleshooting
course, you could include a simulated computer crash and give
an assignment that requires students to actively troubleshoot
the issue.
Audio and Visual Demonstrations
Often, the written word isn't enough to explain a difficult course
concept. For instance, in an Accounting or Mathematics course,
you may want to walk students through an equation step-by-step.
To this end, some WebCT e-Packs contain audio and visual demonstrations.
For example, an Accounting e-Pack may include a movie where a
narrator walks students through a classic balance sheet equation,
defining terms and using appropriate visual aids.
Critical Thinking Exercises or Activities
Many e-Packs contain critical thinking exercises that challenge
students to apply knowledge or to expand their understanding on
their own. Critical thinking exercises may include developing
essays, research proposals, multimedia presentations, or case
studies. For example, in a Sociology course, students could be
required to read content about the topic of divorce, then answer
a series of open-ended, high-level questions about the material
and submit the answers to the instructor. An e-Pack might also
include group exercises where students are required to research
a course topic using a series of suggested links, then compile
the findings in an HTML page that can be shared with the rest
of the class. Critical thinking activities such as these provide
increased visibility for students, as well as 'publishing' opportunities
for student work.
Modular Content Design
WebCT e-Pack content is presented in a modular fashion with clear,
effective organization of course concepts and materials. Many
WebCT e-Packs contain Content Modules or Learning Modules that
integrate online content with a wide range of associated learning
activities, such as quizzes, discussions, or assignments. Presenting
course material in this manner contributes to a more holistic
and contextual learning experience. Furthermore, using Selective
Release capabilities in WebCT, you have the flexibility to control
when students access course content based on pre-defined time
or performance parameters. For example, you could specify that
students must achieve a passing grade on a quiz before advancing
to the next content module.
Discussion/Debate Groups
Frequent student-student and student-faculty communication is
one of the most important factors in student motivation and involvement.
Some WebCT e-Packs contain pre-developed Discussion areas with
topics or issues that are paired to the course content. Students
benefit by having opportunities to discuss and debate relevant
course topics and issues with their peers. In addition, instructors
can reply privately to Discussion posts with personalized feedback
or e-mail to their students.
How to Find Key Features in WebCT e-Packs
Every e-Pack is unique, with varying features and functionality.
To assist you in finding the right e-Pack for your course goals
and needs, we have developed
a list of key features most requested by instructors when adopting
digital content. You can also search our list
of Frequently Adopted e-Packs by author, title, or key features.
Online Guides for Instructors and Administrators
Consult our online guides for information on how to find and use
digital content:
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Practical Ways to Use Digital Content