What are some considerations concerning returning assignments to students for further editing?
The option to return the assignment to students for further editing will show up only until the cutoff date has passed, after that, the students are not able to resubmit so the option is gone.  A couple of things you need to be aware of when returning assignments to students for further editing:

1. There is a known bug such that once the instructor makes comments and returns the submission, he can not see his comments or the original submission when the students resubmit. According to the help files, there should be a button to "View previous comments" and that button does display for students but not for the instructor. This is being fixed in an upcoming release.
2. If the student chooses to ignore the comments and not resubmit the assignment, the instructor only sees that the assignment is "Missed". He cannot see that the student had already submitted something and he cannot grade the original submission.

Can CougarVIEW be added as a "Trusted" site?
The CougarVIEW/Vista URL/Domain can be set up as a trusted site in the web browser, but this would not affect the acceptance of the security certificate on the Java applets. Setting the CougarVIEW/Vista server as a trusted site is not recommended. While it is convenient to do so because it automatically allows popup windows from the site, this also opens up the possibility that an instructor could post "infected" files inside a course that would bypass the built-in security mechanisms of the browser. One cannot partially skirt security without bypassing other important security safeguards. It would be better to communicate to lab users to click Accept when the popup window occurs.

What is the best way to use Camtasia with WebCT Vista?
In the task list of Camtasia there is a section labeled Produce. Use this section to convert the AVI file to Flash! Then upload the approximately four files that are generated into the same folder in the Vista File Manager. Link to the HTML file as a content file. See this link for more details: http://www.gpc.edu/~training/handouts/camtasiapdf/camtasia_handout.pdf

Where should a cascading style sheet be placed to assure maximum accessibility in Vista?
The CSS could be placed in the root content folder of a template, then the other course templates could be made as linked copies of the first base templates. All then would have a file link to the original CSS and relative links could be used in all of the html documents for any templates linked to the base template or any sections assigned those templates. Alternately, you could place the CSS in a folder at the institution level and make is a Public file. You should then be able to create a File Link to it in any template or section at the root content folder level and relative link to it as if it were a file in that template or section.

What are the character limits on files in the Gradebook?
Items that appear in the gradebook only allow 30 characters in the titles. If there are two or more quizzes or assignments in which the first 30 characters are the same such as in: “Introduction to Statistics - Unit Test” and “Introduction to Statistics - Unit Test – Alternate”. When you try to assign the template to a section, Vista attempts to create gradebook columns for these two names. Because gradebook columns can only have 30 characters in the title, the names are truncated to: “Introduction to Statistics – U”. The first column will be created properly, but the second one will fail because the name already exists. The workaround is to rename the quizzes in the template such that they don't have the same first 30 characters in the title. Renaming the quiz to: “Alternate - Introduction to Statistics - Unit Test” will allow the template to be copied, provided that there aren't any other quizzes or assignments with the same problem.

What is the best way to minimize course development time?
The template feature is great for minimizing course development time. It allows the designer to develop a "place holder" with the basic tools and files. Once the template is assigned to the section, it may be modified. If significant changes are made over the semester, the section may be promoted to a new template. With any new course development, there is always time up front, but the section can be rolled up as a template and all that development can be applied to several sections with little additional development work at the section level. The opportunities for collaborative development in WebCT Vista will divide the work of course development significantly.

What is the best way to create content outside of WebCT Vista and then import it?
Course Genie software from Horizon Wimba is a "plug-in" word macro that allows WYSIWIG HTML development from within Microsoft Word. It allows the designer to add a number of advanced features to the HTML such as styles, self-test questions and multimedia. The software refers to the zip file as a course, but it is actually just a learning module. In the "Settings" of Course Genie the user must choose to generate the content as a "WebCT IMS Package" to produce a learning module in the template. There are also options to generate content as "Plain HTML" or "WebCT HTML". Both of these options work as any collection of html files in a zip archive would when uploading using the File Manager. This software works much better than the old Dreamweaver extension to export WebCT Vista content. More information is available along with a 14 day trial version at http://www.horizonwimba.com/products/coursegenie/ Horizon Wimba, recent owner of Course Genie, is developing a version for Macs for release in the first half of 2006.

What is the best way to handle students who have dropped a class?
The best option is to simply deny the students access. While the students will still show up in the gradebook, which can be confusing, it prevents the accidental deletion of a "live" student. When a student is deleted, those records (and any grades earned) cannot be retrieved. Students may have been dropped for non-payment and was later reinstated. It is also considered best practice not delete students due to possible audit purposes in the future.

What is the best way to conduct course evaluations?
Evaluations can be done a number of ways, including using WebCT Vista survey, a vendor solution and a different survey server. The WebCT Vista quiz can be used successfully to provide authentication to both non-Vista solutions. By setting up a quiz to deliver a non-evaluation related question (i.e., "I understand that this evaluation may be used to provide professional development for my faculty member."), you can direct students to the correct evaluation location and use all the native WebCT Vista quiz functions to authenticate students, limit access, and provide notification.

What is the best way to handle online student course evaluations?
One way the evaluations have been administered in WebCT Vista is as an assessment (quiz)--released on a date well before the end of a semester, and closed on the last day of classes. The "questions" are the standard ones from the college evaluation, reproduced here in Build, Assessments. The "answers" (data) appear as responses to the quiz and can be downloaded. They appear in a sort of funky format, but here is a solution for making them more readable in Excel:

1. Enter the class section you want to view, in the Teach tab, tool view
2. Select Assessment Manager - then select submissions
3. Select the ALL tab
4. Click on the assessment of interest (in this case course evaluation)
5. Click "Assessment Reports" in the upper right. (Little green Sigma symbol there)
6. Select "Course Evaluation" from the drop down menu (labeled Assessment title)
7. Check the round radio button for performance and then click the grey Run Report button
8. Click "Edit Paging" in the upper right and make sure that it is a number greater than the total enrollment for this class. (such as 40)
9. Click the Download Records button. The program will allow you to save it as a CSV file which can be read with Excel. Save the file to your desktop and LABEL it appropriately (such as FALL05his1111sect2eval)
10. Open the file and save it not as comma delineated, but as an Excel file. Add a short column title to each column that indicates the topic of the question (i.e. Textbook satisfaction). Adjust column sizes. For long commentary, wrap text. Adjust paging and print settings.
11. Repeat the procedure for each section.

Where can I get help for using my E-Pack course material?
Blackboard continues to support e-pack issues for the University System of Georgia (USG).  Directions for seeking assistance for e-packs can be found at the Online Support Center (OSC) & on the Blackboard site at:  http://www.blackboard.com/support/epack/Faculty.htm.  The e-pack support webform can be found at: http://behind.blackboard.com/epack/faculty.htm.  You may also contact e-pack support directly by telephone for assistance.  Blackboard Support's toll-free number is 1-877-855-3238 (Press 4).

How can an instructor link directly to a specific database in GALILEO?
Follow these instructions:

1. Go to GALILEO .
2. Select the Databases A-Z tab.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select GALILEO Express Links.
4. Scroll down the page and click on the link: Generate a formatted list of links for all databases for your institution. [Opt. 1]
5. Copy the express link for access to the desired database and paste into an application.
6. For custom menus, choose the link: View a pick list of all databases for your institution to create a custom menu link. [Opt. 2]
7. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select GALILEO Express Links.
8. Copy the Express Link created and paste into an application.

How can an instructor add an article in GALILEO to a course in WebCT Vista?
If an article is copied to a course in WebCT Vista or downloaded to a computer and linked from within WebCT Vista, then the copyright for that article is being violated. Instructors have several options for adding articles from GALILEO to a WebCT Vista course.

1. They may include instructions in the course on how to access the article in GALILEO.
2. They may link directly to the database by following the directions in the Best Practice "How can an instructor link directly to a specific database in GALILEO?"
3. If the article is available in full text AND it is assigned a persistent link, that link can be copied to a page in the course.

How often should faculty download or back up their gradebook?
It is recommended that faculty backup their gradebook by downloading it to disk after every grading event in order to ensure that data is not lost due to inadvertant situations. Exporting a copy of their Gradebook after each grading event that was entered into the Gradebook insures that the faculty has the current grades in case something ever happens to the course.

What is the best way to upload a file into the Vista Gradebook?
The best practice is to upload the file as a tab delimited rather than a comma delimited file. When uploading as a comma delimited files, sometimes commas are missing or added and not all information may be loaded or errors may be received.

What is the best way to paste text from an HTML document created in Word into the WebCT Vista HTML editor?
The HTML Editor that is currently shipped in Vista 3.0 does not recognize the tag "‹o:p›".  This tag is specific to HTML documents created through Microsoft Office, and is not part of the HTML Standard.  For this reason many browsers, especially non-Microsoft browsers, have problems displaying or ignoring these tags.  It is recommended that such documents be run through a filter such as the one in Dreamweaver to clean this type of HTML documents. Another solution would be to save the Word document as a Rich Text File (.rtf), then cut and paste into the Vista HTML Editor. An even better solution is outlined under the (W) Word to HTML topic.

What is the best way to convert a Word Document into an HTML , or web page?
HTML Tidy is an excellent tool for error checking and cleaning up HTML source files, especially those that were converted from a Word document.  It is particularly useful for finding and correcting errors in deeply nested HTML, or for making grotesque code legible once more.  There is a very user friendly online version, which is free.  This online version enables you use it without installing the client tool on your PC.  More information about HTML Tidy is available from the original W3C page, and you can download a local copy (also free) of it from the SourceForge project page.  However, the online version is really all you need to get rid of all the junk code that you get when you convert your Word documents to HTML.

What are some considerations when changing icons within a section?
Changing icons is not recommended in order to maintain consistency across a course and between courses and sections.  Icons are navigation tools not decoration.  If they are fairly consistent across courses, then students know this is a content file, that is a learning module, and this other is an organizer.  Students become easily confused when different icons are used. This will become more important as future online student tutorials will use the original icons.  Therefore use of the original, or default icons is considered best practice.  However, if different icons are used, then consistency between course sections is required and within departments highly recommended.

What is the best way to minimize login issues?
The primary login issue is credentialing.  Users do not know or cannot find their username and password.  The second most common issue is the login loop.  This is primarily a settings issue.  Both of these issues can be addressed by having the students log-in to your course as soon as possible.  Students having problems will be quickly identified and should be directed to the Online Support Center.   If you provide them this information upfront, they will have far fewer problems.

What is the best way to embed video clip in a quiz question?
WebCT recommends the following:
First, do not reference files using "/_COURSEID_/FOLDER/FILE.swf".  Instead, use the optional "RelativeResourceManager/Template" referencer, such as "RelativeResourceManager/Template/FOLDER/FILE.swf".  Vista should interpret the link fine without the RelativeResourceManager/Template part, but it may be safe practice to insert it anyway.  Remember, students may not have the correct software or plug-ins for their browser to play the files.  Also, there are known issues with some browsers with certain plug-ins.  The safest way would be to use a link instead so the user will open using the user's own computer software application.  This is particularly desirable for file types such as mpg, avi, wav, mp3 etc.  An example of how to do this is:

[ a href="RelativeResourceManager/Template/test." ] Click here to view file [ /a ]

note: Square brackets [ ] used above instead of HTML brackets < > to allow viewing of code.  Replace all [ ] with < > .

How should multimedia files be embedded to display in a browser?
To embed the multimedia file and display it in the browser, the best practice would be to use a browser and OS independent format such as Flash.  You can embed a flash file using the embed tag:

[ html ] [ body ]
[ embed src="RelativeResourceManager/Template/test.swf" width="340"
height="460" hspace="0" vspace="0" quality="high"
pluginspage=http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" ]
[ /embed ]
[ /body ] [ /html ]

note: Square brackets [ ] used above instead of HTML brackets < > to allow viewing of code.  Replace all [ ] with < > .

How should multimedia files be embedded to display in a browser using the object tag?
The code below should work with different browsers and operating systems.  There is a lot more material on the internet on how to embed a flash/multimedia file on a webpage.  You can experiment with any of the suggestions but the main thing to remember is to link to the file using RelativeResourceManager/Template when you're inside the quiz.  It is a good idea to have a test page somewhere in the course so that students can see if they have the proper application/plug-in to view the multimedia files first before attempting the quiz.  This way students don't have to download and install the software after the quiz has begun, wasting valuable quiz time. To embed multimedia using the object tag:

[ html ] [ body ]
[ object data="RelativeResourceManager/Template/test.swf"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="340" height="460" hspace="0"
vspace="0" quality="high" ]
[ param name="movie" value="RelativeResourceManager/Template/test.swf" / ]
[ /object ]
[ /body ] [ /html ]

note: Square brackets [ ] used above instead of HTML brackets < > to allow viewing of code.  Replace all [ ] with < > .

What are some best naming conventions for templates, files, and quiz questions?
It is important to use unique and understandable file names and question names. This becomes particularly important when utilizing the tracking features in Vista so as to distinguish files appropriately. You also need to know that there are certain "illegal" folder names which conflict with some Vista hidden folders. Two of these are "assignments" and "projects." You can't give folders in the file manager these names, as they can corrupt your template.

Is there a phone number I can use to call the Online Support Center for help?
Yes, there is a number you can call, however, we (the University System of Georgia) is charged for every call. It is much better to use the OSC knowledge base (or the context-sensitive help in Vista) to find the answer to your question. If you cannot find what you are looking for then you can click on the grey "Request Support" tab located on the OSC home page. There, you will be given the option of submitting a trouble ticket, engaging a service representative in a live chat, or contacting them by phone. The phone number is listed via the 'Contact Us' link on the "Request Support" page.

When should a quiz be used rather than a self-test?
Vista lacks the capability of tracking specific self-tests. So, in order for an assessment to be trackable, it must be defined as a gradable quiz rather than as a non-gradable self-test. Design new courses on Vista with this in mind.

How can an instructor create truly randomized question sets?
If there are only a few questions in the pool, and there are several students in the class, then the odds of students getting questions in the same order may be high. In a class of 30+ students, there are high chances that 3 or more students may get similar exams. To increase randomization of questions, increase the number of questions in the pool. Also, by having multiple question sets, the possibility of students getting similar questions in similar order is high. Instead of having multiple question sets, consider using only one large question set, and selecting questions from that one set. If an instructor has 3 question sets, and only 4-5 questions available for each set, then it is highly likely that two or more students will get the same questions in the same order because the options for randomization are few. However, if there is only one question set composed of 15-20 questions, then the options for randomization are greater.

What is standard format for questions in the text files when using Respondus to upload quiz questions?
Follow these steps:

1. Put a period or parentheses after the question number
2. Place a period after the choices
3. Add line breaks after the question and each of the choices
4. The correct answer should be asterisked (*) before the letter choice
5. If feedback is desired, place it after every choice preceded by a "@".

How can rude postings be managed?
Post clear guidelines for appropriate, expected student conduct/postings, and define possible consequences for immoderate language. The eCore program uses the following:

"Please make sure you follow the rules of NETIQUETTE (etiquette on the net) when you post anything electronically. Never write in all capital letters unless you want others to think you're "shouting" and refrain from "flaming" others with hasty, nasty words that you might later regret. For more information on netiquette, see the link on the URL tool."

What are the recommended end of semester tasks for faculty?
Faculty should download their Gradebook to a comma separated file they can open with Excel.  They should also gather and download any mail, discussions, chat logs, etc., they wish to keep.

How can an instructor verify a student's participation in a Vista class?
There is a simple way to run a report that will give you excellent information regarding attendance and activity with a Vista section.  The following method can be used by all Vista instructors.  Some of the data that can be obtained includes, first login, last login, total logins, total time spent logged in, assignments started/completed, assessments started/completed, total content files viewed, and discussion/mail messages read and sent.

1. Login to the desired Vista section and click on the Teach tab.
2. Access the Grade Book by clicking on the first link that appears at the top of the homepage.
3. You will notice that for each enrolled member, there is a hyperlink on their last name.  Click on the link for the desired student.
4. Click on the View Performance Report link in the popup menu.
5. The following page will display all relevant information for that student.

What is the easiest way to convert a Word document to a web (HTML) page?
Using MS Office 2003:

1. Select "File - Save As Web Page" from the drop-down menu
2. In the "Save As" window, change "Save as type:" from a Word Document to "Web Page, Filtered (*.htm; *.html)". MS Word will notify you that saving in this format will remove "Office-specific tags." Say yes, you do not want those tags in your web page and more than likely it will not affect your formatting.

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