LATTE Project FAQ
Pursuing the LATTE Project
Why replace the WebCT Vista course management system?
Because of WebCT Vista’s system architecture, heavy ongoing use by faculty and students makes the WebCT database grow by 1 to 2 gigabytes each day. This rapid growth has already produced incidents of system downtime, and future downtime is certain. LTS cannot guarantee recovery of course materials or content if WebCT Vista were to fail. WebCT’s growth also prevents regular backups of course content. As a result, files inadvertently deleted from a WebCT course may be impossible to recover. Even if files can be successfully recovered, faculty and students may be forced to recreate some of the work completed before the files were lost. Additionally, since WebCT’s acquisition by Blackboard last year, LTS staff members have experienced poor vendor support for the WebCT Vista system at Brandeis. Without adequate vendor support, LTS often cannot quickly resolve technical issues faced by faculty and students.
When did LTS first recognize the risk associated with continued use of WebCT Vista?
Fall 2006 was the first semester during which faculty exclusively used WebCT Vista for their courses. Throughout that semester, LTS staff monitored the Vista database and became increasingly alarmed when incidents of system downtime were caused by the database’s rapid growth and ballooning size.
How will the LATTE Project affect support for learning and teaching at Brandeis?
The LATTE Project offers the opportunity to reassess LTS support of learning and teaching activities with the goal of creating a more robust and efficient learning environment for the Brandeis community.
Where can I learn more about the LATTE Project?
In addition to this FAQ, this website contains information about Moodle and the LATTE Project. The LATTE Help website also contains information about using LATTE.
The transition to Moodle
What will replace WebCT Vista?
In response to the risks posed by continued use of WebCT Vista, Library and Technology Services is recommending the replacement of WebCT Vista with Moodle, a new open source online learning environment. In the United States, Moodle is already in use at many selective colleges and national universities, including Smith College, Carleton College, Macalester College, the University of Minnesota, and UCLA. The Moodle implementation at Brandeis will be known as LATTE (short for Learning And Teaching Technology Environment).
How will Moodle compare to WebCT Vista?
Moodle will provide capabilities equivalent to the ones used by faculty in WebCT Vista, including posting documents, syllabi, and online resources; providing discussion forums; and creating graded assignments.
What additional benefits will Moodle provide?
Moodle will be easier and more intuitive to use than WebCT Vista. Moodle will also offer additional tools, such as blogs and wikis, that support active, collaborative learning.
Using Moodle
When can I start using Moodle?
A generic Moodle environment will be available in the spring and summer for workshops, informal demonstrations, and learning sessions. In August, faculty will be able to begin using Moodle to prepare their Fall 2007 courses.
How can I learn to prepare my course in Moodle?
Library and Technology Services will offer regular instructional workshops for faculty, departmental administrators, and teaching assistants.
When will Moodle workshops be available?
Workshops will be offered beginning in late April and continuing through the summer. Workshops will be offered throughout the 2007-2008 academic year. A list of available workshops is available on the LATTE workshop webpage.
How will my course materials be moved from WebCT to Moodle?
Faculty members may request past course content to be moved from WebCT into Moodle for Fall 2007 courses by completing a short request form. This request form will be available at the start of May. Beginning in early summer, LTS staff will place requested content in the appropriate Fall 2007 courses and work with faculty to prepare and structure their courses in Moodle. Further information can be found on the LATTE Help website.
Will students have access to coursework from prior semesters?
Library and Technology Services is investigating options to provide students with access to coursework from prior semesters.
Will faculty and students have to log in separately to WebCT and Moodle?
Yes. Each member of the Brandeis community must log into WebCT and Moodle separately using his or her UNet username and password.
How will students know whether their courses will be available in Moodle or in WebCT? Library and Technology Services will clearly communicate to students whether their courses can be found in Moodle or WebCT.
What support will be available?
LTS staff will be available for consultation with faculty whenever needed. In addition, a variety of guides and other support materials are available on the LATTE Help website.
Where can I learn more about using Moodle in my teaching?As part of the LATTE Project, Library and Technology Services staff will compile best practices for teaching using online learning environments and examples of how they can enhance the learning experience for students and faculty.
What if I have additional questions or unusual requirements for my course?
If you have any concerns, requirements, or needs that aren’t addressed in this FAQ document, please contact LATTE Help.
About course management systems at Brandeis
How long have course management systems been in use at Brandeis?
Course management systems have been used by the Brandeis community for nearly a decade. WebCT Campus Edition, the first online course management system at Brandeis, was introduced in Fall 1997. In Spring and Summer 2005, LTS began the transition to WebCT Vista, an updated version of WebCT’s course management system.
How many courses use WebCT Vista?
In Fall 2006, 550 Brandeis courses used WebCT Vista.
How does an online learning environment differ from a course management system?
Course management systems such as WebCT Vista support curricular instruction by faculty and provide course materials for students. Learning environments such as Moodle expand beyond a collection of course management tools to offer capabilities that encourage active, collaborative learning among students and faculty.