By Bekah Warren
Feature Editor

Beginning this summer, RSU’s online classes will no longer operate under WebCT.
The decision has been approved to change from WebCT to a more user-friendly design that will be known as eCampus.

Online classes have been operating under WebCT. The new program will be called eCampus, rather than by the brand name of the new software, Angel.

“We’re trying to get away from the commercial tag,” said Diana Lurz, instructor of English and Humanities and Chair of the Distance Education Committee.

The new program is much more user-friendly than WebCT and includes several tools that were not in WebCT, said Myra Haulmark, director of the center for teaching and learning.

“It is going to serve students in a much better way,” she said.

Some of these tools include an instant-messaging feature in which students can chat with other online classmates, as well as with instructors who can choose to have live office hours.

Intensive faculty and staff training will begin in late April or early May, at which time summer instructors will be preparing for online summer classes.

Training will continue through the summer for instructors who do not have classes until the fall semester.

“This has been a faculty-driven process,” said Haulmark.

Various faculty members have been able to pilot test the new program.

Previous issues and problems with WebCT should be eliminated with the implementation of the new eCampus.

“There was widespread dissatisfaction with WebCT. Those complaints are addressed with the adoption of this platform,” said Lurz.

Students are also invited to pilot test the program during the last week of April. Interested students may contact Haulmark at 343-7713 or mhaulmark@rsu.edu.