Comparison between WolfBlogs and the WebCT Vista Discussions tool
This table presents some basic differences between WolfBlogs and the WebCT Vista Discussions tool and is not intended to be comprehensive. For assistance, please contact Kim Duckett, Librarian for Distance Learning and Educational Technology Services, 513-3653, or the Learning Technology Service.
| |
WolfBlogs |
WebCT Vista Discussions tool |
| Viewing entries |
Posts are public and can be read by
anyone |
Posts can only be read by those
enrolled in the class |
| Posting entries |
Limited to blog authors |
Limited to those enrolled in class |
| Organization of posts |
blog author(s) can group posts into
categories |
instructor can group posts into topics
and categories |
| Presentation of new posts |
Reverse chronological display (most
recent posts at the top) |
New posts appear within particular
topics (new posts indicated with special icon) |
| Comments on previous posts |
Anyone can post replies to specific
previous posts |
Class members can post replies to
specific previous posts |
| Integration with WebCT Vista |
Limited integration: a blog (or an
individual post) can be linked as an external URL |
Tightly integrated: topics can be
integrated with learning modules, organizer pages, groups tool,
grade book, etc |
| Special features |
RSS syndication, trackbacks,
permalinking |
File attachments, selective release
criteria, usage statistics, sorting posts, compiling posts |
| Authorial voice |
Typically a single author or a small
team, communicating to the world |
Typically internal, between the members
of a class, discussing amongst themselves |
| FERPA laws |
To use as a required part of a class,
FERPA release forms are required |
To use as a required part of a class,
FERPA release forms are not required |
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