WebCT Discussion Boards:
Engaging Students in Learning Outside of the Classroom
by Dr. Kathy Zanin

I. What is WebCT?

• WebCT is an acronym for Web Course Tools. It is an internet site where you can set up interactive web pages for your classes. At The Citadel, WebCT's database is located on a server in Bond Hall. WebCT can be accessed from any computer in the world if the computer has internet access.
  • WebCT is password protected and only the students or guests that a faculty member allows can view the course materials.
  • WebCT can be used to publish your syllabus, course materials, announcements, grades, calendar updates, mail, quizzes, and more. One of my favorite features of WebCT is the Discussion Board.
    • You can find WebCT resources for Citadel Faculty on the following webpage:
      http://www.citadel.edu/computing/mm/webct/faculty/index.html

II. Using WebCT

• Submit an online request for a new WebCT course to the WebCT Administrator. You will find the request form online on the following webpage:
  http://www.citadel.edu/computing/mm/webct/faculty/add_class_request.htm
  Our current WebCT administrator at The Citadel is Conyers Bull, 953-2134.
• You can add your students to your class yourself, or you can submit a form to request that the WebCT Administrator add them for you. You can find this request form on the following webpage:
  http://www.citadel.edu/computing/mm/webct/faculty/add_class_request.html
  • If you choose to add the students yourself, all you will need is their CIT #s, which are now available as part of the class lists on PANCHO. Within your course, the path to add new students to your course yourself is: Control Panel, Manage Course, Manage Students, under Actions, choose Records option, drop down to add/import students, enter CIT #, click "Go", click "add".
    • I suggest you also ask the WebCT Administrator to set up a "test account" for you. This allows you to log in as a "student" and test out how your course is working.

III. Using the WebCT Discussion Board

• Participation in a WebCT Discussion Board gives students a fun way to review classroom concepts. This second exposure to the concepts makes it easier for the students to retain the information, and gives the students a deeper understanding of the material.
  • Even though it is fun to use, your students' won't use the WebCT Discussion Board regularly unless you make it a required, graded element of your course.
  • You can track your students' use of WebCT using the "Track Students" function. The path to this function is: Control Panel, Manage Course, Track Students. THis will allow you to see how many times each student has hit the site, how many posts each has read, and how many posts each submits.
    • I grade my students on a weekly basis to amke sure that they participate regularly.
      • Your students may be a little reluctant to get the discussion board started, so you should proabably post some questions right away to get the discussion going!