UA replaces WebCT system

With the University's expansion during the past few years, it was only a matter of time before its Internet resources needed to be revamped.

Keeping that in mind, UA officials made the decision to transition from WebCT to a new instructional technology called eLearning. Last semester, the University implemented WebCT and eLearning, while this semester marks the first solely using eLearning.

"WebCT was the system used by faculty and students for many years, but we have outgrown that system," said Marilyn Staffo, the assistant director of the Office of Information Technology.

Not only had the University outgrown WebCT, but it was announced Blackboard, the company that makes WebCT, would no longer offer upgrades for it. At that time, the administration decided to switch to a much more expandable eLearning system also made by Blackboard.

"It will grow with the University," said Rachel Shuttlesworth, the coordinator of faculty development.

"It has a more up-to-date look and also provides new features," Staffo said. "One of the features includes Who's Online. It's somewhat like an instant messenger, but users can communicate with other members of the course."

The Who's Online feature is just one of many new improvements eLearning includes. It also has an announcement feature allowing instructors to send notices out to all students through a pop-up message.

One of the other features eLearning adds is the ability to look at different aspects of a student's performance in the class.

The system also offers the ability for an instructor to upload 15 files at a time, opposed to only being able to upload one through WebCT. It brings the addition of a Web links page where instructors can place descriptions beneath the links, unlike on WebCT.

Improvements also include a more detailed discussion board along with added selections to the calendar and increased options for the grade book and quiz feature.

With more than 2,000 classes using eLearning, student opinion is varied. Caleb Parker, a sophomore majoring in civil engineering, said he is not a fan of the increased Internet resources.

"I don't like the way it's going. It's a lot more technological and harder to understand," Parker said.

While students like Parker would rather have more traditional lecture classes, others don't approve of eLearning for different reasons.

"I didn't really use it that much," said Ebony Richardson, a junior majoring in human development. "I also think WebCT was better. It was less complicated."

Clark Davis, a freshman with an undecided major, doesn't like it because it could be unfriendly to Macintoshs.

"I have a Mac, and you can't do a lot of the Blackboard stuff on it, which sucks," Davis said. "I would definitely use it if I could."

Other students said if utilized right it can be a great help.

"I liked it," said Justine Hawkins, a freshman majoring in kinesiology. "They would say stuff in class then post it up on eLearning so it was kind of like a reminder."

"Sometimes [professors] put their PowerPoint notes on, which is a huge help," said Nicole Humphrey, a freshman majoring in nursing.

-Last semester was the first semester eLearning was used on campus with conjunction with WebCT.

-This is the first semester in which eLearning will be the only campus-wide online course supplement.

-Over 2,000 classes use eLearning which has many new features.