2008 Woodie Awards
Blackboard replaces Webster's online course tool application
This is a supplement to clear up confusion about a story The Journal ran in the Sept. 13 issue.
By: Bryan Coplin
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Connections course tools, an Internet application that students use as an online supplement, will be replaced by Blackboard Vista and accessible through the Connections portal as of Jan. 1, 2008.
Connections is a Web portal that offers the applications course tools, groups and e-mail. A Web portal is a site that functions as a point of access to information on the Internet. The Connections course tools application will be removed, and Blackboard Vista will be put in its place.
"It made sense to put everyone (online and students enrolled in traditional classroom settings) on the same platform," said Terri Jones, director of Information Services.
Blackboard, Inc. bought out WebCT, the company that Webster University previously used, more than a year ago. Webster used the Campus Edition 4.1 program, and had planned to upgrade to WebCT's Vista program. Blackboard has converted all of the WebCT software to Blackboard's name, so the software now being put into place is Blackboard Vista, though it is effectively the same software.
"Blackboard Vista is the new online teaching and learning platform," said Larry Haffner, director of Information Technology.
Blackboard Vista presents a number of advantages over the Connections course tools, Haffner said. Among the new functions will be the ability to submit assignments, as well as to take assessments online.
In addition, files can be saved. This means that if a professor teaches the same course in future terms, he or she will not have to load the same information back into Blackboard Vista as they would have had to using Connections.
There is also no practical limit on file size. This could greatly benefit media classes and other courses that deal with large file sizes, Jones said.
The Information Technology department and the Faculty Development Center have been working hand-in-hand for over a year to switch Course tools to the Vista software. The Faculty Development Center, located in Emerson Library, is currently preparing to switch information from the Connections course tools application to Blackboard Vista.
Connections is a Web portal that offers the applications course tools, groups and e-mail. A Web portal is a site that functions as a point of access to information on the Internet. The Connections course tools application will be removed, and Blackboard Vista will be put in its place.
"It made sense to put everyone (online and students enrolled in traditional classroom settings) on the same platform," said Terri Jones, director of Information Services.
Blackboard, Inc. bought out WebCT, the company that Webster University previously used, more than a year ago. Webster used the Campus Edition 4.1 program, and had planned to upgrade to WebCT's Vista program. Blackboard has converted all of the WebCT software to Blackboard's name, so the software now being put into place is Blackboard Vista, though it is effectively the same software.
"Blackboard Vista is the new online teaching and learning platform," said Larry Haffner, director of Information Technology.
Blackboard Vista presents a number of advantages over the Connections course tools, Haffner said. Among the new functions will be the ability to submit assignments, as well as to take assessments online.
In addition, files can be saved. This means that if a professor teaches the same course in future terms, he or she will not have to load the same information back into Blackboard Vista as they would have had to using Connections.
There is also no practical limit on file size. This could greatly benefit media classes and other courses that deal with large file sizes, Jones said.
The Information Technology department and the Faculty Development Center have been working hand-in-hand for over a year to switch Course tools to the Vista software. The Faculty Development Center, located in Emerson Library, is currently preparing to switch information from the Connections course tools application to Blackboard Vista.
Be the first to comment on this story