WebCT Policy

The mission of the Instructional Resource Center is to provide training and support for instructional improvement and technology to enhance student learning, to support the use of technology-based courseware in classrooms, and to support instructional initiatives University-wide.  Part of this mission is accomplished through the support of George Mason University's primary online course management tool, WebCT (Web Course Tools) for the development of web based learning modules.

This service is offered at no charge to faculty or students. WebCT is a learning management system with over 35 unique tools for use in 24/7 online education activities.  WebCT is installed on a university server and is distributed to individuals via their web browser.  Course materials can be added to WebCT and accessed by students through a variety of activities including quizzes, discussion conferences, and assignments.  WebCT features a central database integrating content, communications and evaluation with a course management tool that instructors can access remotely.

Faculty and student accounts are log-on authorizations (username and password) that allow access to WebCT. These authorizations are not necessarily connected to a WebCT "course" (see "Course Folders").

• Students automatically receive a WebCT username and password authorization when they first register for courses at George Mason. The username and password is always the same as their Mason e-mail account username and password. If you need to activate your email account please go to https://chimera.gmu.edu/e-mail/prod/index.html
• Faculty automatically get a user account when they request a WebCT course. Once created, faculty username and password are the same as their GMU email username and password.

A WebCT course folder provides access to a single faculty member and any additional faculty and students designated by the holder of that folder.  Faculty may request a WebCT folder for a course they are teaching at George Mason.

Course folder requests can be submitted online at http://www.irc.gmu.edu/coursetools/webct/courserequest.cfm

• Non-instructional use of WebCT is discouraged but will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Course folder requests are typically processed and completed within 24-48 hours after they are received.
• Courses are maintained on the server for approximately one calendar year, after which they are archived and removed from the server.
• Student rosters for a particular semester can be downloaded from the WebCT 'global database' approximately one week after the last day of final exams for the preceding semester. 

Faculty can receive support for WebCT by contacting the Instructional Resource Center (IRC) at 703.993.3141 during regular business hours 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  Questions about the software's operation can be e-mailed to Brooke Adams (bwadams@gmu.edu).

• Faculty are strongly advised to receive training in basic WebCT design and operation by attending workshops that are scheduled throughout the semester and during BYTE week. Link to http://ittraining.gmu.edu for scheduling and registration information.
• The IRC also has a "walk-in" facility that offers one-on-one consultation which can be scheduled by appointment. Contact Brooke Adams at 703.993.2951 to schedule a consultation.
• Students can access support by sending e-mail to webct@gmu.edu .  Students typically receive a response within 24 hours with the exception of the first week of classes when response time can require up to 48 hours.  Walk-in support for students is available at the STAR Works lab, Johnson Center 311.
• Faculty and students can find online resources for WebCT at http://www.irc.gmu.edu/coursetools/webct/index.html
• Faculty can schedule demonstrations of WebCT for their students by contacting Brooke Adams at (bwadams@gmu.edu)

irc@gmu.edu | 703 993-3141