College gets new online presence
WebCT to replace NICOnline this fall
Scott Fink
Issue date: 5/11/09 Section: News
As of June 1 the WebCT online course management system will be replaced with a more user-friendly management system which will be quite a bit more interactive, allowing instructors and students more options for communication.
MyNIC Courses, the name NIC is calling the new system, will house all internet,
hybrid and web-enhanced classes. The
eLearning Department will offer training for students to learn the new system.
"Students should participate in the training for their success in these courses," said Jamie Green, interim director for eLearning & Outreach. "They need to learn to navigate the new system."
According to Jane McCarville, senior instructional designer, the system is more user friendly because more options are available than with WebCT such as Wiki, blogs, live chat and live office hours. The new system allows students to communicate with instructors and each other without being face-to-face.
"The system makes it easier to interact with other students and instructors,"
McCarville said.
Green said a new technology that plugs into MyNIC Courses called Wimba allows for synchronous (live) meetings in an interactive, virtual classroom. Wimba also includes discussion boards with audio and podcasting. Also called a voiceboard, the technology enables users to listen to voice recordings and make their own recordings
for others to hear.
The four types of eLearning class formats include: internet (INT)-classes meet online with no scheduled meetings and students turn in assignments and tests on due dates; hybrid (HYB)-classes primarily conducted online, but with one or more scheduled meetings; web-enhanced (WEBE)-classes are primarily face-to-face with instructors with some online instruction; interactive video conferencing (IVC)-either HYB or WEBE, but classes are carried out with multiple forms of technology which broadcast classroom interaction to distance education sites.
Distance education sites are located at 6791 Main St., Suite B, in Bonners Ferry; at 300 Bonner Mall Way, Suite 81, in Ponderay and at 323 Main St. in Kellogg. MyNIC Courses training sessions will be held at these locations and on the main campus in Coeur d'Alene.
MyNIC Courses, the name NIC is calling the new system, will house all internet,
hybrid and web-enhanced classes. The
eLearning Department will offer training for students to learn the new system.
"Students should participate in the training for their success in these courses," said Jamie Green, interim director for eLearning & Outreach. "They need to learn to navigate the new system."
According to Jane McCarville, senior instructional designer, the system is more user friendly because more options are available than with WebCT such as Wiki, blogs, live chat and live office hours. The new system allows students to communicate with instructors and each other without being face-to-face.
"The system makes it easier to interact with other students and instructors,"
McCarville said.
Green said a new technology that plugs into MyNIC Courses called Wimba allows for synchronous (live) meetings in an interactive, virtual classroom. Wimba also includes discussion boards with audio and podcasting. Also called a voiceboard, the technology enables users to listen to voice recordings and make their own recordings
for others to hear.
The four types of eLearning class formats include: internet (INT)-classes meet online with no scheduled meetings and students turn in assignments and tests on due dates; hybrid (HYB)-classes primarily conducted online, but with one or more scheduled meetings; web-enhanced (WEBE)-classes are primarily face-to-face with instructors with some online instruction; interactive video conferencing (IVC)-either HYB or WEBE, but classes are carried out with multiple forms of technology which broadcast classroom interaction to distance education sites.
Distance education sites are located at 6791 Main St., Suite B, in Bonners Ferry; at 300 Bonner Mall Way, Suite 81, in Ponderay and at 323 Main St. in Kellogg. MyNIC Courses training sessions will be held at these locations and on the main campus in Coeur d'Alene.
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