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What is WebCT?

WebCT is an online learning management system which provides a virtual learning environment for faculty to deliver classroom instruction to students. This software has been used at Eastern Illinois University since 1999 to supplement traditional classes that meet on-campus, as well as deliver instruction totally online. Based upon the number of course accounts created and survey data reported by faculty, more people at Eastern are using WebCT every year.

Instructors are able to manage their course materials and use helpful resources such as the Gradebook, Calendar, Quiz Tools, and Chat Rooms to communicate with students and share information. WebCT is easy to use and the newest version has made creating and navigating courses even easier.

Blackboard acquired WebCT recently, so WebCT is now officially identified as a Blackboard company on its website. Following that merger, Eastern was notified that the current version of WebCT CE v4.1 will not be supported by Blackboard for much longer, so the need to upgrade to WebCT CE 8.0 became obvious. Fortunately, the upgrade to WebCT CE 8.0 brings a number of improvements and new features that were not available in the previous version.

The belief is that this system could potentially benefit many more faculty and students with its new, easy-to-use design. Individuals who have seen or used WebCT CE 8.0 indicate that it looks and feels quite a bit different, especially since the navigation is easier and more intuitive. Any faculty member who plans to use WebCT in Fall 2008 classes should make plans to attend the training workshops being provided on-campus or look at the online resources available for WebCT CE 8.0.