What’s up with WebCT @ UNT?

By Austin Laird, Distance Learning Administrator

Central Web Support is currently in the process of migrating all UNT WebCT courses to WebCT version 3.1. Our goal is to have all WebCT courses moved to the new server by the beginning of the fall 2001 semester. Check out the home of the new server at http://webct.unt.edu

What’s new in WebCT 3?

In general, the WebCT 3 user interface is more intuitive and user friendly than previous versions have been. A left navigation is provided that can be modified by the instructor to give students instant and constant access to important tools like Email or Bulletin Board. Also, along the top of the screen, there is an audit trail that WebCT likes to call ‘bread crumbs’ (apparently WebCT cites Hansel and Gretel as an influence). This comes in handy when you need to go back a step or retrace the path you have taken.

MyWebCT

The biggest new feature for users is MyWebCT. MyWebCT, which was introduced in WebCT version 2, is the new single logon method for WebCT that gives it more of a portal feel. When you logon to MyWebCT you are presented with a listing of all the courses that you are registered for as a student, or are designing as an instructor. This is a great improvement over version 1.3, where users might have to remember several passwords and would have to logon separately to their courses. In MyWebCT, the user can change their password and read announcements about the WebCT system. MyWebCT also notifies you when you have new email or postings to read in a particular course.

Logon hint

Another great improvement, also located in MyWebCT, is the ‘Logon Hint’. In MyWebCT you can set a logon hint question specific to you (e.g. What is you mother’s maiden name? What is your dog’s name?) that you will be asked when you forget your password. Provided you can remember the answer you set, the WebCT system will then email you a new password.You will then be able to logon and change your password to whatever you would like. The first time you logon to MyWebCT, set your Logon Hint. Then if and when you forget your password, go to http://webct.unt.edu and click ‘Forgot your Password?’

What is the future of WebCT @ UNT?

Sometime in the not too distant future we will be upgrading to WebCT 3.5 Campus Edition. The upgrade will not bring a lot of changes to the user interface, but will provide some great server side enhancements. We will be able to load balance our server to provide more stability and performance for our users. We will also be able to integrate WebCT with LDAP authentication here at UNT, which will allow us to use the same authentication for WebCT as is used for EagleMail. Now if I can just get WebCT to integrate Solitaire into MyWebCT…

For more information ...

On getting a WebCT course: Contact the Center for Distributed Learning at webct@unt.edu or http://www.unt.edu/cdl

 

On WebCT: http://www.webct.com

 

On this article: austinl@unt.edu