Most WebCT problems result from incompatible computer settings

The answer to some students' problems with an Internet resource required for many classes may be no more than a few mouse clicks away.

The Center for Computing and Information Technology receives a steady stream of questions from students who use WebCT, a course-management tool that allows students to complete assignments, view grades and access other course resources for more than 400 classes.

The more than 11,000 students enrolled in courses that use WebCT frequently log in with improperly configured Internet browsers, a mistake that often causes unneeded frustration, said Jean Kreis, WebCT program coordinator.

"Sometimes it's so frustrating to not be able to take quizzes when the computer won't open up WebCT," said Jocelyn Garrido, an undeclared sophomore. "Once, I had to go take the quiz on another computer because mine just wouldn't open it."

Vladimir Chetochine, an MIS freshman who works with the Center for Computing and Information Technology, said he typically gets two or three e-mails per day from people having trouble with the program.

But many of those problems are the result of students with improperly configured settings.

"A lot of students try to log on to WebCT without checking their browser version and settings" said Kreis. "With over 4,000 students logging in each day, there are going to be a couple of problems."

For WebCT access, users must have Java enabled, at least Netscape 4.78, Internet Explorer 5.5 and some plug-ins for sharing certain files.

One TA who deals with the complaints of her students using WebCT, but also the power of WebCT as a course-management tool, has mixed views on the technology.

Most of the WebCT problems that graduate teaching assistant Zeina Makhoul sees among her students are browser related.

"Sometimes WebCT asks students for a password and user name - usually because of browser problems," Makhoul said. "But our students don't actually have to submit anything on WebCT, they just print out assignments to do them. If they can't access WebCT, they can come to the office and we give them a copy."

Other problems that occur on WebCT may be due to its peak hours of use.

"I've had times when I couldn't open certain links in the WebCT for one of my classes," said Chelsea Richards, political science freshman. "It's difficult to keep up in classes that rely on WebCT if you can't easily access it."

Sunday and Monday night and mid-weekdays are peak hours of WebCT.

"Avoiding using WebCT during these times might be a helpful way to reduce frustration," Kreis said.

When WebCT problems are reported to CCIT, people in charge of different aspects of WebCT can identify where the problem is coming from, the student side or the faculty side.

Kreis explains that correcting these problems is simple.

"Whenever there is a very powerful instructional technology, special access is required," Kreis said. "But we always make sure to provide the information on browsers for students."

But for some professors who incorporate the program into their classes, the benefits of being able to communicate efficiently with students outweigh the accessibility problems.

"WebCT saves so much work," said Peter Waller, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering. "I didn't have the capacity with a large class to ask all the questions that I can now. I think that my students' learning is improved and now papers are never lost."