WebCT Vista is in the final stages of being upgraded to the latest version, WebCT 4, which will be referred to as WebCT OWL (Online Western Learning).  WebCT OWL is currently being piloted by the Distance Studies department for summer courses, and will be released campus wide for the fall term.   WebCT Vista will no longer be available.

While WebCT OWL is similar in appearance and function to WebCT Vista, changes have been made to incur a more effective online learning resource.  WebCT OWL is a very flexible system that features a wide range of enhancements to user interface navigation, teaching and learning tools, and administrative processes resulting in an e-learning system that is easier to use. 

Some of the enhancements and greater functionality that WebCT OWL offers:
(Appeared in the Spring 2007 ITS Newsletter):

1. The user interface has been simplified for both designer/instructors and students. It features consolidated toolbars and makes greater use of collapsible menus to improve navigation and increase the design space on the screen.
2. Several new tools facilitate active learning, self-reflection, and group projects, including course-based blogs, journals and peer-rated discussions.
3. When instructor enabled, a new feature allows students to contribute favourite websites and multimedia examples in course areas.
4. The new Class Roster tool allows students and instructors to create viewable personal profiles, promoting interaction and participation.
5. OWL also includes new tools that enhance student assessments. Grading rubrics make it easy to provide grading to students.
6. New functionality within the quiz tool allows instructors to customize instructions for each quiz.
7. The improved "My Grades" tool allows instructors to augment basic grade reporting with comments and performance statistics.

More highlights include:

1. Web Links are now easier to manage.  Whenever a web link is added to a course, it is automatically added to a comprehensive web links page, giving instructors and students a central place to easily access and review all web links used within a course.
2. You can use the Media Library tool to create a media library collection.  The entries in the collection can be text, images, audio, or video.
3. OWL offers new ways of conducting online discussions –students can rate discussions and/or they can be graded.

Further information about the upgrade and other changes to the online teaching and learning environment will be available at http://webct.uwo.ca/ over the next couple of months.

All instructors who will be using WebCT OWL - those who teach online or web enhanced courses - will need to register for OWL Training.

Tips for Instructors Teaching Online
(Appeared in the April/May issue of LERN Magazine)

1. Weekly or Unit Welcomes

Do a separate and different "welcome" for each unit or week of your online course. It doesn't have to be long. It does have to be positive, enthusiastic and warm. The weekly welcome constantly involves your students, tells them there is something new, and solicits their enthusiasm.

2. Online Icebreaker

Online instructors report excellent success with online icebreakers at the start of the course. Here are some of the latest new online icebreakers instructors have shared:

"Find someone who..."
Give students a list of 10-20 items someone may have, and have them find a person with each of the items.

"What you have always wanted to do?"
Each person shares his or her thoughts.

"Find three things in common."
Break the class into small groups and have them find three things in common.

"Pair off-ask odd questions."
Pair up participants. Prepare a list of odd questions for them to ask each other.

"Crazy characteristics."
From a list of 20 crazy characteristics, each student tries to find someone with that characteristic.

Continuing Studies encourages all instructors to become familiar with the Teaching Support Centre. The Teaching Support Centre is located on the main floor of The D.B. Weldon Library, just west of the Circulation Desk. 

The Teaching Support Centre works collaboratively with faculty, graduate students, and staff to advance teaching and learning at The University of Western Ontario.  They believe that the quality and value of university education is enriched through scholarship and pedagogical reflection.  Working in partnership with Western Libraries and Information Technology Services, the mission of the Teaching Support Centre is to:

1. Lead and foster a culture of excellence in teaching and learning
2. Enhance the practice of teaching and learning
3. Nurture a community that values and recognizes teaching excellence and innovation
4. Encourage the exploration of diverse learning styles and approaches to discovery
5. Contribute to the scholarship of teaching through research

Some excellent online resources you may find interesting are:

1. Using PowerPoint effectively in the classroom
2. Active learning and student engagement
3. Instructional Technology
4. Effective Course Design

An extensive list of external resources for instructors

Diploma and Certificate in Not-For-Profit Management

The Continuing Studies team would like to remind you that our new Post-Degree Programs, Diploma in Not-For-Profit Management (https://www.uwo.ca/cstudies/framepostdegree.html) and Certificate in Not-For-Profit Management (https://www.uwo.ca/cstudies/framepostdegree.html), will be starting this fall. 

As the not-for-profit sector takes on new roles and importance in today's economy, it has become increasingly important to ensure that those who are entering the field and who will become its leaders in years to come, are well-equipped to handle the challenges and opportunities associated with the rapid growth of the sector.

Our Diploma and Certificate programs in Not-For-Profit Management offers students the prestige of a university education with needs and assessment training, as well as program planning and implementation practice.  Continuing Studies is looking forward to working with the instructors and students involved and enrolled in these newly implemented courses.

A Better Way to Live and Work™

Also starting this fall are the Weekend Workshops associated with the new Professional Development program: A Better Way to Live and Work™.  This innovative program has created a buzz and has sparked the interest of many people. 

Just a reminder that you can participate in a FREE one-hour Teleseminar in which individuals will get the opportunity to ask questions and speak personally with one of the Certified Coaches that will facilitate the program.  Please call our office if you are interested in listening in on one of these sessions.  The next scheduled dates are:

August 30, 4:00 - 5:00pm
September 20, 12:00 - 1:00pm

Upon registration, participants will be e-mailed a confirmation teleconference phone number.

I would like to thank instructors for getting their contracts and supplementary forms in promptly and for the positive response to the reminder e-mail. 

This will allow everything to be prepared and set into place for the upcoming fall semester.  It also helps to move textbook ordering along, allowing enough time for books to come in on time for students.

WebCT OWL Training Sessions

Information Technology Services (ITS) will be offering a number of training sessions to help introduce faculty and staff to this new interface. 

The following courses are currently open for registration:

1. What's New! An Overview of Changes in OWL: This one hour, hands-on course is designed to introduce current WebCT Vista Instructors/Designers to the changes and new features available in OWL. This course is intended for faculty and staff members who have experience in building or teaching courses in the current WebCT Vista environment.
2. Introduction to Building a Course in OWL: This 90 minute, hands-on course will give an overview of skills required to Build or Teach a course using OWL (formerly WebCT). This course is intended for faculty and staff who have not previously built a course in WebCT.

Click here to view the current schedule or to register for one of these courses.

Galleria Parking
Galleria has parking for approximately 1,500 vehicles. Entry to covered parking is via Wellington Street, York Street, Clarence Street or King Street.

Hourly Rates:
$1.75 each 30 minutes or less
$8 daily maximum: 6:00am - 6:00pm
$5 evening maximum: 6:00pm – 6:00am

Early Bird Special:
$6 per day: in between 6:00am - 9:00am and out by 6:00pm
$3.00 flat rate on Saturday
Free parking on Sunday

Please note that there is construction taking place in Galleria and that there may be an increase in noise on the second floor, as well as mall detours.  First floor renovations will be done by November 2007.  The renovations are for a new tenant, Citibank, who plans on officially opening their Galleria location in August 2008.

Continuing Studies’ Hours of Operation

Summer Hours
July and August
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 4:30pm

Fall Hours
September - June
Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 7:30pm
Friday
8:30am - 4:30pm