2008 Woodie Awards
Blackboard to replace WebCT
By: Bryan Coplin
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Connections course tools will operate under a new platform as of Jan. 1, 2008. Webster University will be operating under Blackboard Vista, rather than the previous program, WebCT Vista.
"Blackboard Vista is the new online teaching and learning platform," said Larry Haffner, director of Information Technology.
Students and faculty members have expressed problems with WebCT since its inception. Issues ranging from spontaneous e-mail deletion to random log-offs plagued its users, as reported by The Journal in a Sept. 7, 2006 article.
Blackboard Vista presents a number of advantages over the WebCT Vista program, Haffner said. Among the new functions will be the ability to submit assignments and take assessments online.
"It's been a long, thought-out process," said Haffner about the decision to switch to Blackboard.
Over the summer, 12 online courses piloted the program under Dan Viele, associate vice president of Academic Affairs. The system is already partially in place.
"As of Fall I, (Blackboard Vista) platform is for online courses only," said Viele.
Faculty members are being trained to use the new platform, Haffner said. Currently, online course instructors are being trained. After fall break, regular faculty will be trained to use the program. Orientation materials are also being developed for students, Haffner said.
Connections course tools will become Blackboard Vista, said Mary Peterson, assistant director of information technology. The switch should improve the course tools, allowing more functions. Connections course tools' format will operate the same way, but the platform will be supported by Blackboard Vista.
The investment in Blackboard Vista was made in large part due to increased enrollment in online courses. Blackboard Vista makes distance learning more efficient, said Haffner.
Blackboard Vista's annual cost will be $100,000 to $125,000, whereas WebCT's annual cost was $50,000 to $70,000, estimated Haffner.
WebCT was the educational software company that Webster previously used. The university used the campus edition, which was geared towards on line courses. WebCT developed WebCT Vista, the highest level of course platform about a year ago, which Webster uses.
Blackboard, Inc., the company that owns Blackboard Vista, bought out WebCT recently, though Webster had already planned to switch software companies.
According to its second quarter report, Blackboard, Inc. has gained new clients from elementary through higher education since its buyout of WebCT.
"Blackboard Vista is the new online teaching and learning platform," said Larry Haffner, director of Information Technology.
Students and faculty members have expressed problems with WebCT since its inception. Issues ranging from spontaneous e-mail deletion to random log-offs plagued its users, as reported by The Journal in a Sept. 7, 2006 article.
Blackboard Vista presents a number of advantages over the WebCT Vista program, Haffner said. Among the new functions will be the ability to submit assignments and take assessments online.
"It's been a long, thought-out process," said Haffner about the decision to switch to Blackboard.
Over the summer, 12 online courses piloted the program under Dan Viele, associate vice president of Academic Affairs. The system is already partially in place.
"As of Fall I, (Blackboard Vista) platform is for online courses only," said Viele.
Faculty members are being trained to use the new platform, Haffner said. Currently, online course instructors are being trained. After fall break, regular faculty will be trained to use the program. Orientation materials are also being developed for students, Haffner said.
Connections course tools will become Blackboard Vista, said Mary Peterson, assistant director of information technology. The switch should improve the course tools, allowing more functions. Connections course tools' format will operate the same way, but the platform will be supported by Blackboard Vista.
The investment in Blackboard Vista was made in large part due to increased enrollment in online courses. Blackboard Vista makes distance learning more efficient, said Haffner.
Blackboard Vista's annual cost will be $100,000 to $125,000, whereas WebCT's annual cost was $50,000 to $70,000, estimated Haffner.
WebCT was the educational software company that Webster previously used. The university used the campus edition, which was geared towards on line courses. WebCT developed WebCT Vista, the highest level of course platform about a year ago, which Webster uses.
Blackboard, Inc., the company that owns Blackboard Vista, bought out WebCT recently, though Webster had already planned to switch software companies.
According to its second quarter report, Blackboard, Inc. has gained new clients from elementary through higher education since its buyout of WebCT.
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