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WCET

WCET, the Cooperative advancing the effective use of technology in higher education, continued its involvement in projects that focused on finance last year. Most recently, staff developed an online course with eCollege software that teaches users how to apply the Technology Costing Methodology tools. Another project, supported by the Hewlett Foundation, is allowing WCET to study new IT developments, such as the policy implications of the open courseware movement.

WCET is also continuing its work with Web-based student services for online learners, with support from its corporate and state members. Another project, Edutools: Web Resource for Comparisons, addresses the needs of institutions developing online education by giving administrators a single place to go for product and policy comparisons; the project is supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and is used in over a dozen different countries.

WCET continued to work with institutions and state agencies as they develop and expand their e-learning plans. It hosted a major professional development event, its 15th annual conference in San Diego in November of last year. As part of its global outreach, it also worked with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to explore issues related to universities in developing nations. And this year, Prentice Hall releases a new edition of WCET's classic Distance Learner’s Guide, a comprehensive consumer's guide to e-learning.

Last summer saw the launch of the WCET Online Community (www.wcet.info/community), a Web discussion board that serves as an online gathering place for WCET members. Participation in the online community means access to a broad and diverse network of experts in technology and education – the WCET membership. WCET members from over 240 institutions can participate in conversations on a wide range of distance education topics, sharing experiences and getting up-to-the-minute information on policy developments and effective uses of educational technologies.

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