Over 200 students responded to the recent challenge to name the newest version of WebCT, Western Carolina University's online course system, and they overwhelmingly chose the name “WebCat.”
An upgrade to WCU's current version of WebCT, WebCat is based upon Vista 4, WebCT's latest generation software. WebCT Vista 4 is the premier academic course management system.
“The upgrade presented us with the opportunity to make WCU's version of WebCT distinctively ours,” said Kevin Sisson, instructional technology consultant at WCU.
Both students and faculty will find WebCat easier to use thanks to the improved look and functionality, said Sisson. Students will enjoy the “Who's Online?” tool which will allow them to see when their classmates are online and invite them to chat. Faculty will find building and operating a class much easier than before and, whether uploading content or entering grades, they'll spend less time clicking and more time interacting with their students.
WCU purchased the upgrade in January 2006 and will be rolling it out over the next 18 to 24 months. Select faculty are learning how to use WebCat this spring and a limited number of students will take classes in WebCat this fall.
WCU is a part of a statewide collaborative effort to upgrade to the latest version of WebCT Vista. WCU is working with the University of North Carolina Teaching and Learning with Technology Collaborative (TLTC), NC State, UNC Asheville, UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington to bring the latest technology and teaching tools to WCU.
Visit the Web Cat Web site at https://online2.wcu.edu/preview/ . For more information, contact the WebCat Advisory Committee at webcatcommittee@email.wcu.edu or Kevin Session at ksisson@email.wcu.edu .
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