Online Courses

Online Course Development, Support and Training

Web and Instructional Technology Services (WIT) assists faculty members with the development of their online courses, content adaptation, and multimedia elements. WIT also provides support for using Metro's course management system - WebCT – as well as providing training in all areas of WebCT class creation and operation.

• Setting up your course shell on the WebCT server
• Course archiving
• WebCT user account management
• Coordination of Banner course schedule information

Once you have been assigned to teach an online/hybrid course, please contact the WIT office at 303-556-3600 or via the Service Request Form to schedule an appointment with a course developer to get started.

Online Course Access

If you would like to have access to an online course for which you are not assigned as the instructor, please have the instructor contact the WIT office at 303-556-3600 to discuss the various options and implications. 

Content Development Services

• Adaptation of course content
• Templates and style guides for recommended course architecture and navigation design
• WebCT online course development
• Graphic arts (custom images, artwork, banners)
• Animations (Flash)
• Interactive applications (games, quizzes, tutorials)
• ADA compliance, accessibility advisement, quality assurance, tips and techniques
• Document and image scanning
• PowerPoint conversion for online use
• PowerPoint optimization for better quality and quicker downloads
• Audio recording (lectures, instructions)
• Video production
• Video conversion to digital (DVD, VHS, etc.)
• Streaming media (audio, video)
• Photo shoots
• Special media projects

Training Services

If you have not been trained or need additional training, we strongly recommend that you submit a Service Request Form or go to the WebCT Vista Faculty Training Page for more information.

Pedagogical Considerations

See WIT's pedagogical considerations for information that helps provide a high quality learning experience for students enrolled in an online course.

Important Information about Online Course Development

Online course development has unique challenges and timeline requirements.  The course planning and development process for a new online course takes approximately 1-2 semesters. You must plan ahead if you are going to meet your course development deadline.  It is best to schedule a meeting with an online course developer as soon as you are assigned to teach an online/hybrid course.

Online Course Content

As the subject matter expert, no one knows more about your course content than you.  The WIT team members will assist you in translating your content into a format that works for online instruction, but you are responsible for all content related to the course.  When you submit your course content, corrections, and any special instructions, please keep the following suggestions in mind.  All course content should be:

• Free of spelling and grammatical errors.
• Arranged in folders/files according to the organizational schema of your course.
• Submitted in its entirety and in an organized, electronic format, such as Word documents, digital pictures, HTML pages, etc.
• Turned in prior to published WIT deadlines.

For online course design and content suggestions, please see the Basic Online Course Development Guide and the Recommended Online Course Structure.

Custom Media Object Development

• Custom graphics often take considerable time to prepare, therefore it is important to plan ahead and allow enough time to produce the graphic before it is needed.
• Interactive media - allow at least 60 days.
• Audio/Video compression and enhancement - allow a minimum of 60 days to complete the digitization process.

E-Packs

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