Savannah State named Digital Content Leader by WebCT

Black Issues in Higher Education, August 12, 2004 by Ronald Roach

SAVANNAH, GA.

For the second consecutive year, historically Black Savannah State University has earned the distinction of Digital Content Leader by WebCT, a higher education software vendor and provider of integrated e-learning systems.

Launched in 2003, the Digital Content Leader selection by WebCT is based on a school staff's ability to reach significant numbers of faculty with the message about digital content solutions, vision for the role digital content solutions will play over the next few years and dedication to advancing the school's online learning mission.

Digital Content Leaders were recognized during the 6th Annual WebCT User Conference in Orlando, Fla., in July. Danny Martin, SSU's technology support specialist, and Dr. Emily Crawford, professor of marketing in SSU's College of Business Administration, represented the university. During the conference, Martin and Crawford presented a workshop on Savannah State's success with using E-packs, which are templates that reduce the time it takes for instructors to develop and design Web-based courses.

Savannah State has one WebCT course that is taught completely through the Web and about 30 Web-enhanced courses that incorporate both online and face-to-face classroom instruction, according to officials. Crawford's Web-enhanced course, "Principles of Marketing," was developed as part of a technology initiative funded by AT&T to bridge the digital divide at historically Black colleges and universities.

Crawford's online course requires students to attend class to become familiar with the Web features, including "meets" she has with students in chat rooms.