Web Course in a Box is a course creation and management tool for Web-based or Web assisted delivery of instruction. It is produced at the Virginia Commonwealth University by MadDuck Technologies. Instructors who want to develop a Web presence without learning HTML will find this software very easy to use. It enables the creation of syllabi, class schedules, personal home pages, and interactive Web functions such as discussion forums and online quizzes.

Why use it for library instruction?

Although WCB (Web Course in a Box) was one of the first template-based Web authoring tools available, it distinguishes itself from other similar tools in several ways. Without having to learn HTML, instructors can create Web pages and view them immediately, with only a Web browser required. Its modularity allows for use of the entire WCB interface or individual features. For instance, the self-correcting online quiz feature can be used to provide in-context feedback to students taking online library literacy exams. The software is cost-effective in that there is only one institutional price and there is no need to pay on a course by course or student by student basis. WCB is written in Perl, the most widely used programming environment on the Web today, and it can be customized to fit the local needs of the institution. 

Using Web Course in a Box at Booth Library

Booth Library Media Services provides assistance and consultation for integrating Web-based technologies into instructional presentations. Along with several Web-based tools to support instruction at Eastern Illinois University, Media Services makes WCB available to the EIU community. Faculty members use WCB to develop course materials or entire courses online. It also facilitates asynchronous class discussions through its online forum features. 

Can I try it out first?

Web Course in a Box can be tried out at http://www.madduck.com/wcbinfo/tryit/html. The demo for students (login with id: guest and password: visitor) will give you the student's perspective of a set of sample class pages. The demo for instructors (login with id: teacher and password: teacher) lets you try out the instructor mode while creating sample class pages. WCB requires Netscape Navigator 2.0 or higher, or a compatible browser that uses frames and JavaScript.
 

Barbara Cressman is Assistant Professor and Assistant Head of Circulation Services, Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University. Barbara also chairs the LIRT Computer Applications Committee which provides the software review column for every issue of the newsletter.