Policy for Faculty Use of WebCT

WebCT is the course management software package supported by SUNY Cortland. The Associate Provost for Information Resources and the Title III Grant Coordinator share responsibility for the implementation and effective use of WebCT on campus.

Since WebCT is a comprehensive software package with many integrated components, careful planning is critical to fully deploy its pedagogical and technical features, and to effectively adapt this instructional technology in coursework.

A team of three Information Resources professionals supports WebCT. The WebCT technologist is responsible for maintaining the hardware and software, and for setting up courses and registering students. The Instructional Materials Designer is responsible for working with faculty to identify their instructional objectives and develop WebCT modules accordingly. The Faculty Trainer provides training and technical support in the use of the WebCT software.

Faculty who use WebCT as an instructional tool work closely with the Information Resources WebCT team from the initial planning stages throughout each semester they teach with WebCT. Appropriate training is a prerequisite for first-time WebCT users. Faculty who have not previously used WebCT will consult with the Instructional Materials Designer or the Faculty/Staff Trainer at least one semester before teaching with WebCT. These faculty will be provided with training based on their knowledge and previous experience with other course management systems. Once they have participated in appropriate training, faculty will be authorized to establish class accounts.

Procedures for first-time faculty use of WebCT:

1. Interested faculty will contact the Instructional Materials Designer or Faculty/Staff Trainer, who will assess their instructional needs as they relate to course management.
2. Faculty will participate in training.
3. When student assistants have access to WebCT instructional data, faculty will be responsible for training assistants in WebCT. Upon request, the faculty trainer will provide customized training for the assistants.
4. Upon successful completion of training, the WebCT technologist will establish course accounts for the student assistants.
5. Each WebCT assistant will sign a confidentiality agreement that will be on file in the Title III Office and in the Office of the Associate Provost for Information Resources.
6. Faculty will continue to work with the WebCT support team as course-related issues arise.
7. Additional faculty training and student assistance will be provided upon faculty request

Information Resources WebCT Contacts:

February 2004