University of Idaho Uses WebCT to Spare Public Speaking Course from Budget Ax; Creative online program recouped revenue and improved student satisfaction

Business Wire, Jan 3, 2006

LYNNFIELD, Mass. -- As a model for thousands of higher-education programs facing difficult budget challenges, the University of Idaho (UI) used creativity and the WebCT Campus Edition(TM) course management system to offset a painful budget cut while improving education.

UI's Public Speaking 101, a course with 800 students in 30 sections, sustained a recent 25-percent budget cut and coped with it by moving course content partially online. Educators developed original online material and charged a $30 per student course fee for the technology. The fee generated $24,000 in new revenue for the department while saving students a total of $8,000 since they no longer needed to spend $40 for other materials.

The new revenue helped keep classes small, sustained in-class speaking levels, reduced the number of necessary class days, and ensured that students benefited from a high-quality, educational class. "This was a solution to a single financial challenge in one department of the university, but it demonstrates how online learning can turn educational problems into opportunities," said David Schlater, UI's educational new media manager. "Moving courses online prompted us to rethink and restructure our teaching methodology, and we ended up with an overwhelmingly productive course experience according to student surveys."

Saving the public speaking program is just one way UI has used WebCT Campus Edition to contend with pervasive academic challenges affecting a number of higher-education institutions, including large classes, shrinking budgets, increasing demands on faculty, shorter student attention spans and the frequent mandate to "do more with less."

The university made large music history courses more productive and dynamic by putting quizzes and multimedia content online. It moved a business course online, making better use of executives from the community who serve as lecturers. The university opened up discussions on diversity by moving a sociology course online, thus making it easier for students to honestly express sensitive views. It addressed disparate learning styles and measurably improved outcomes in a biology course by moving content online, where it is available 24/7, and making it more interactive.

"The University of Idaho has pioneered the use of e-learning to creatively solve a number of academic challenges that face virtually every institution in the world," said Carol Vallone, WebCT president and CEO. "The university's solutions are supported by innovative faculty, a can-do outlook, and a keen ability to look at challenges through student, instructor and administrators' eyes."

About the University of Idaho

The University of Idaho is a doctoral-research extensive land-grant institution, with the principal responsibility for research and the granting of the Ph.D. degree in Idaho. UI offers more than 140 undergraduate degree programs, from agribusiness to virtual technology and design. UI awards bachelor's, master's, Ph. D., juris doctorate and specialists degrees. Certificates of completion are offered in 16 areas of study. For more information, please visit www.uidaho.edu.

About WebCT

WebCT has set the standard for e-learning systems in higher education. Based in Lynnfield, Mass., WebCT provides a highly flexible e-learning environment that empowers institutions across the educational spectrum with the ability to achieve their unique objectives. Colleges and universities around the world - from vocational colleges to large university consortia - are using WebCT to expand the boundaries of teaching and learning. For more information, please visit www.webct.com.