Texas 2-Year Colleges Move Testing Into the 21st Century; WebCT, Question Mark, and Ed Tech Tools Selected for Virtual College of Texas Online Products

Business Wire, May 16, 2000

Business Editors/Technology and Education Writers

PEABODY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2000

The Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) today announced the acquisition of statewide licenses for three online software products for use by its fifty-one two year college systems.

After an extensive review, a task force of distance learning, testing, and student services specialists chose the products WebCT, Question Mark(TM) Perception, and Ed Tech Tools for delivery to its member colleges.

Specifically, the products will supply the platforms for TACC's Virtual College of Texas' Online Testing Project. The three-year Online Testing Project was established to enable the VCT member colleges to provide online testing and distance learning support. "This moves the testing programs for the colleges into the 21st Century," says Dr. Bud Joyner, CEO for the Virtual College. The project is funded by a Discovery Grant from the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Board and is also supported by the Meadows Foundation and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

WebCT

"WebCT and VCT share the same goal of providing faculty and students with the most comprehensive online educational experience," said Carol Vallone, President and CEO of WebCT. "We look forward to working with VCT and Question Mark to provide VCT's vast network of users with the highest quality educational tools, as well as unmatched service and support." A three-year agreement will grant unlimited WebCT licenses to each of the 2-year college districts in the State of Texas, representing a total student population of more than 450,000.

"It's our mission to remove geographic boundaries to students and provide the tools to make their lives easier," said Ken Luke, also with Tyler Junior College and chair of the VCT Online Testing Task Force. "We selected WebCT because of its powerful features and how well it integrates with the Question Mark system."

The Online Testing Project will build off of an existing WebCT and Question Mark's partnership to integrate their products, which began in November 1999. The combination of products will offer VCT instructors flexibility in testing options, course preparation and presentation.

Through the project, instructors and course designers will have the ability to create online courses that meet their own specifications, provide communication tools for course participants, assess student performance through tests and quizzes, and track student progress. Through the selective release option of WebCT instructors can release content to students based on test scores or other criteria, thereby tailoring the course material for each individual student.

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to upgrade to WebCT 3.0, which will be available in July 2000. Version 3.0 will feature a completely redesigned user interface that provides all faculty and students, from the techno-savvy to the technophobe, with a product that is approachable and easy-to-use. In addition, WebCT 3.0 will be fully compliant with W3C Level 1 guidelines for accessibility.

Perception by Question Mark

Question Mark's Perception was chosen as the "front line testing product," says grant project director Dr. Mickey Slimp of Tyler Junior College, "after an extensive review of the authoring, delivery, reporting, and security features of a number of testing products." VCT member colleges will use Perception for students enrolled in distance learning courses, courses acquired through the VCT, and regular classroom courses. Self-assessments as well as proctored tests may be administered using the software, which will link with WebCT's Internet course management system.

Question Mark Corporation of Stamford, Connecticut is providing unlimited use of Perception's authoring software within the member colleges, as well as quiz, survey, and test delivery via web servers. Participants will use Perception Secure Browser, which prevents them from accessing other programs or web sites, printing out questions, or viewing source documents.

"The Virtual College of Texas has shown tremendous leadership in seeking to provide online courses and assessments throughout the state," commented Eric Shepherd, president of Question Mark Corporation. "We are delighted to be part of this important initiative and look forward to supporting it for many years to come."

Ed Tech Tools

Ed Tech Tools is a series of products created and distributed by the University of Hawaii's Maui Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development. Ed Tech Tools is available as a service that anyone affiliated with an approved educational institution may apply to use. Detailed information on Ed Tech Tools, including QuizMaker, CorrectQuiz, QuizMail, and QuizCenter, is available through their WebSite at http://www.motted.hawaii.edu/.> Although Ed Tech Tools is available as a free web product to individual instructors, the Virtual College project acquired a server license for Ed Tech Tools for installation at each of its member colleges. Task Force members viewed Ed Tech Tools as a simple to learn testing product that can be used for quizzes and for tests where security is not as large an issue.