This interactive flash tutorial will demonstrate how to log into WebCT at the University of Manitoba and take a multiple choice quiz.

After viewing this interactive tutorial a user will be able to login into WebCT 4 and will be able to take a multiple choice quiz.

After viewing this interactive tutorial a user will be able to login into WebCT 4 and will be able to take a multiple choice quiz.

At previous conferences in the subject field of web-based teaching and learning a number of presenters emphasised the importance of training to users of WebCT, as well as the unsuccessful implementation of WebCT tools and applications due to insufficient training. To address this important and basic step of successful use of WebCT, third year Public Management students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) received intensive training to make use of particular WebCT applications comfortably. The focus, pertaining to WebCT activities in the subject Public Human Resource Management, is primarily on on-line assignments and e-tivities, as well as the use of quizzes for self-assessment. The WebCT training subsequently focuses primarily on the use of the assignment and quiz tools in WebCT, additional to the use of general tools such as the bulletin board and calendar. The paper will outline and explore the various steps and applications, used to enhance WebCT training to these students. Special measures were implemented to accommodate a large group of students (200). Furthermore, the perceived usefulness and value of a Camtasia Studio training DVD, compared to face-to-face training in the Electronic Research Centres (ERCs), will be explored. This article aims to focus on the end results and success in terms of the experiences and perceptions of the students, as well as skills obtained by the provision of intensive training for the use of particular WebCTtools. It will determine by exploring a number of training strategies and approaches for "Creative training strategy can make a difference, this article uses interesting empirical data to illustrate the use of student training as a key success factor in the implementation of WebCt in teachning and learning environments.

This descriptive study was designed to assess college instructors? perceptions of the usefulness of WebCT features designed to enhance course management and instruction. Also assessed were college instructors? perceptions of instructional incentives and instructional challenges encountered when using WebCT as an instructional delivery system and their perceptions of the quality of WebCT training and institutional support. A web-based survey questionnaire was sent to 181 college instructors at two southern universities who used WebCT for instructional delivery. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including means, standard deviations, and one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs). All significant analyses of variance were followed by Tukey?s post hoc procedure. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents had positive perceptions of WebCT features designed to enhance course management and instruction. In addition, respondents showed positive perceptions of the instructional incentives listed on the survey questionnaire. On the other hand, the majority of respondents showed ambivalent perceptions of the quality of WebCT training, quality of institutional support and instructional challenges encountered as a result of using WebCT. Also, the analysis of data identified significant differences in respondents perceptions based on age, faculty rank and years of teaching experience.

The work deals with the topic of portability of test questions and creating a program unit for on-line testing. It mentions standards used for data exchange among e-learning systems and describes formats used for import and export of test questions. On the basis of gained knowledge a concept and subsequently a complex program unit for on-line testing of students were created, which matches the requirements for work with test questions, test management and evaluation and the possibility of exchanging questions with other systems.

Computers afford an environment in which use of communication tools can promote deep learning. This may be ascribed to the creation of a varied learning environment, and to the induction of active, collaborative and self-directed learning. A quantitative study was performed based on the results of a questionnaire developed to evaluate the students experience of web-supported learning. The association between presumed active use of communication tools, and perceptions concerning learning principles (varied and challenging learning environment, application of higher order thinking skills, and lecturer feedback and encouragement to interact frequently), was evaluated. The results indicate that in general, learners associated a varied and challenging learning environment with the lecturer’s feedback and encouragement to interact frequently (e.g. with discussions; e-mail contact etc.) and with perceived active communication via the bulletin board and e-mail facility. It appears that CMC using all communication tools, excluding the calendar, was dependent on encouragement by the lecturer to interact frequently. Perceived active use of e-mail and the chat facility was significantly associated with recognition of the need to apply higher-order thinking skills in order to do well in the course. These findings support previous reports that CMC promotes deep learning. It is recommended that · The e-mail facility is used for deeper problem analysis and where alternate solutions and strategies are to be generated. · The bulletin board is used for application, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. · The chat facility is used to build attitudes, beliefs, confidence and motivation. · The challenge of an environment should be created in which communities of learners are formed. Opportunity should be provided for socialising as well, as this promotes interdependence and collaboration. · Feedback to individuals and groups and encouragement is provided timely and continually via e-mail and the bulletin board. / Dissertation (MEd (CIE))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

This dissertation discovered the factors influencing how students value asynchronous Web-based courses through the use of qualitative methods. Data was collected through surveys, observations, interviews, email correspondence, chat room and bulletin board transcripts. Instruments were tested in pilot studies of previous semesters. Factors were identified for two class formats. The asynchronous CD/Internet class format and the synchronous online Web based class format. Also, factors were uncovered for two of the instructional tools used in the course: the WebCT forum and WebCT testing. Factors were grouped accordingly as advantages or disadvantages under major categories. For the asynchronous CD/Internet class format the advantages were Convenience, Flexibility, Learning Enhancement, and Psychology. The disadvantages included Isolation, Learning Environment, and Technology. For the synchronous online Web based class format the advantages were Convenience, Flexibility, Human Interaction, Learning Enhancement and Psychology, whereas the disadvantages included Isolation, Learning Environment and Technology. Concurrently, the study revealed the following factors as advantages of the WebCT Forum: Help Each Other, Interaction, Socialization, Classroom News, and Time Independent. The disadvantages uncovered were Complaints, Technical Problems and Isolation. Finally, advantages specified for the WebCT testing tool were Convenience, Flexibility and Innovations, and its disadvantages were Surroundings Not Conducive to Learning, and Technical Problems. Results indicate that not only classroom preference, learning style and personality type influence how students value a Web based course, but, most importantly, a student's lifestyle (number of personal commitments, how far they live, and life's priorities). The WebCT forum or bulletin board, and the WebCT testing or computerized testing were seen mostly by students, as good tools for encouraging classroom communication and testing because of the convenience and flexibility offered. Still, further research is needed both quantitatively and qualitatively to ascertain the true weight of the factors discovered in this study.

During the past several years an increase in use of Course Management Systems (CMS) in higher education’s instructional infrastructure had been witnessed (Morgan, 2003). As a result, increased online education placed an emphasis on CMS because CMS were able to provide information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Faculty, staff, and students were increasingly dependent on information and learning services provided by the colleges and universities (Carey & Gleason, 2006). The flexibility provided by the CMS had led campus faculty, staff, and students to expect continuous availability in campus systems (Carey & Gleason, 2006). This study examined faculty perceptions of a course management system used to enhance teaching and learning. Faculty members’ perceived motivation reasons and barriers were analyzed in this study using descriptive statistics. The important motivation reasons for using a course management system were to provide course information, augment student learning, and provide diverse teaching methods. In addition, the study revealed that faculty members were satisfied with institutional support in terms of training and technical support but not rewards received. Demographic variables (gender, age, faculty tenure status, faculty rank, college of teaching, location of course delivery, and time spent per week preparing materials) were examined to see if there were differences in faculty members’ perceived satisfaction of pedagogical effectiveness. An online survey was sent to 300 faculty members who used CMS in their academic courses at Mississippi State University. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey data. The results revealed that the majority of faculty used CMS primarily to: (a) distribute information to students, (b) augment student learning and (c) provide diverse teaching methods. In terms of strengths and weaknesses of a CMS some faculty members thought the tools were complicated to use while others thought it was easy to use. Overall, the majority of faculty thought that CMS was a great way to communicate with students. Faculty also thought that lack of time played a role in their ability to use CMS effectively.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the use of a course management system in a University learning environment and the factors that affect students' attitude and performance in such environments and to study the relationship between these factors. The course management system that was used in the research studies in this thesis was WebCT. Three in-field studies were carried out to achieve the aim of this research thesis. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches was used in the studies. Data from participants were collected via questionnaires, interviews, and numerical data from the WebCT tracking system. First the relationship between the students' attitude towards using WebCT and their module leaders' attitude towards using it was studied. Then, the relationship between students' cognitive styles and their satisfaction, their achievement, and their way of using WebCT was investigated. Finally, a model of the critical factors affecting students‟ attitudes to WebCT, use of WebCT and achievement was developed and tested. The model is divided into three main dimensions. The three dimensions are 1) The learner dimension: students' interaction with their classmates, students' capability of using the internet, students' capability of using WebCT. 2) The instructor dimension: Instructor's technical competence, instructor's way of presenting materials on WebCT, interaction between students and their instructor. 3) The technology dimension: usefulness, ease of use, flexibility, quality. The results suggested that students have a positive attitude towards using a course management system (WebCT) on their courses. Also, the results indicated that students' use of WebCT is a positive indicator of their academic achievement (in terms of performance on specific modules). It was also found that instructor attitude and way of using WebCT affects students' attitude and performance when using WebCT. The Technology dimension was found to be a positive indicator of students' attitude and use of WebCT. The Instructor dimension was also found to be a positive indicator of students' attitude and achievement in WebCT. Moreover, the Learner dimension was found to be a positive indicator of students' attitude, use of WebCT and achievement.