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Phase Two: Developing the Content Modules

The WebCT Content Module

• WebCT uses the Content Module tool to contain links to the actual pages of course content. The Content Module is characterized by an outline structure headed by the title "Table of Contents." The reasons for using content modules (and the path pages that link from the Content Module) include the extensive tracking of path pages, the action menu, the usefulness of using the Compile feature for students' printing of Content Module pages for intensive study of course materials , and glossary keywords which are only available on path pages. Calendar entries may only be linked to pages that appear as entries in a content module table of contents. Please see the Assignment tutorial and the WebCT Learner Guide tutorial to see the advantages of the Content Module.
• The overall and initial organization may be chosen to be organizer pages (the Course Modules link). However, at the unit level the Content Module must be used.

The Sample Module

• The Sample Module is intended as a guide for instructors who want the advice. The module has been broken into several pages for easy reading on the computer. Remember that the student can use the Compile/Print tool to print entire modules. Of course, the sample module should be deleted.
• The content and design of individual course content pages is the responsibility of the course developer. Keep in mind however that best practices indicate that the following items should be clearly stated at some point in the module:
  • introduction
  • time requirement
  • due dates
  • learning objectives
  • key words
  • references including internet links
  • assignments and/or tests details
  • summary

Web Page Construction

• The choice of web page editor is up to the developer. Because most schools have a site license for the Microsoft Office products, FrontPage will be the choice of most developers. Macromedia Dreamweaver is also a good choice and there are others too numerous to mention.
• Caution : Microsoft Word is NOT a good choice for web page development. Word does have a Save as Web Page option. However, please realize that this will cause many complications that should be avoided. These complications include the file size, insertion of XML, creation of supplementary folders and files, images that can be seen but not printed, and the imposition of such style settings as line height which are inappropriate in the RODP template.
• There are two good options for developers with existing lectures in Microsoft Word format.
  1. Using FrontPage :
     1. Load the page in Microsoft Word.
     2. Save the page in Rich Text Format (*.rtf).
     3. Start FrontPage and create a New document.
     4. Choose Insert File... and insert the pre-saved rich text format file. (Do NOT simply open the file - it will load in Word instead of FrontPage.)
     5. Edit as needed.
     6. Save the file. It will be saved as a *.htm web page (the default choice in FrontPage).
     7. This page will be free of inappropriate Word style formatting.
     8. Cut & Paste from Word to FrontPage will work nicely for many pages, especially those that are strictly text.
  2. Using DreamWeaver :
     1. Load the page in Microsoft Word.
     2. Save As Webpage (creating a *.htm file).
     3. Start DreamWeaver and Open the pre-saved page.
     4. From the Command menu, choose Clean Up Word HTML.
     5. In code view, search the head section and remove the <style>....</style> block.
     6. Return to design view and edit as needed.
     7. Save the file.
     8. This page will be free of inappropriate Word style formatting.

FrontPage Web - Dreamweaver Website

• WebCT is a web site management tool as well as a course management tool.
• Both FrontPage and Dreamweaver contain tools for linking individual pages together in a web or website. These tools include intra-site linking of pages.
• For the most part, these site management features should NOT be used. For novice developers especially, construct individual independent web pages. Upload these pages into WebCT and use WebCT to manage the linking of pages together.

PowerPoint Presentations

• Many developers will have existing PowerPoint presentations that have been very effective in the classroom. However, these presentations are often the TALKING POINTS which the instructor uses as he or she delivers a VERBAL LECTURE.
• Are these presentations appropriate as stand alone lectures without the verbal accompaniment? In many cases, extensive notes should be written to accompany the presentation. Audio is also a possibility.
• A tutorial is available in the RODP Faculty Development course which explains and illustrates creating compatible presentations.

Streaming Media

• Small audio and video clips may be embedded within the file structure of individual courses.
• For large audio and video files, the developer should contact the Eduprise Helpdesk for the appropriate forms to have the files served from a dedicated Eduprise streaming media server.
• There is a restriction on the file storage space available to each course. In addition, the developer should realize that many students will be accessing these files using a 56K modem.
• An alternative to serving the files over the Internet is to use the WebCT CD-ROM tool. With the CD-ROM tool, the course references the students local CD-ROM drive when it is time to view the video. (This introduces a logistics problem of delivering the CD to students.)