Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System (GSAMS)
The department offers many of its courses via GSAMS (Georgia Academic and Medical Systems) to distance students around the state. Sites are one to three hours from campus. Based on student needs, funding, and the availability of GSAMS sites, the department carefully selects GSAMS sites to meet the needs of students in the program. The sites are selected two semesters in advance of the course offering so appropriate planning and scheduling with the Distributed Education Center and remote sites can take place.
GSAMS is a two way audio visual teleconferencing systems that enables the instructor to deliver a class from the College of Education’s site in room 243 Education Center (or the Newnan GSAMS site at the Shenandoah Center) to students located at other GSAMS sites throughout the state. Additional information about GSAMS can be obtained at the Distributed Education Center.
The first night of every distance class is always held at the home site on campus or at the Newnan Center to distribute course syllabi, meet the instructor and students in class, and become familiarized with the course. If difficulties arise due to this requirement the instructor of the distance course should be consulted in advance of class.
More information can be obtained at: http://www.westga.edu/~distance/
WebCT
The department offers online courses through WebCT. Depending upon the nature of the course and instructor, courses range from partial to totally online courses. WebCT is web-based and allows students to interact with the instructor and other students through e-mail, real-time chatrooms, and bulletin boards. Course notes, assignments, projects and grades are often posted on WebPages using an online course management tool called WebCT. Tests can even be taking online, automatically graded, and provide instant feedback.
More information on WebCT can be obtained at: http://www.westga.edu/~distance/distancestudents/
Horizon Wimba
Horizon Live is a web-based platform that enables faculty to develop and present multi-media presentations, live or synchronously. Some of its features include an integrated whiteboard, application sharing, streaming audio and/or video, troubleshooting diagnostic tools for users, breakout and private messages.