As part of Eastern’s transition into a new online interactive learning system, students, graduate students and faculty can take part in workshops to help orient them to Desire 2 Learn.

Kim Ervin, the training and technology specialist for the Gregg Technology Center, has been teaching the workshops frequently since Aug. 20. The workshops feature a basic tutorial of the website, along with instructions of how to use the tools featured on the site.

“For the most part, I’ve heard people say they like Desire 2 Learn,” Ervin said. “WebCT seems antiquated now, and Desire 2 Learn is more updated.”

Ervin said almost all learning management systems feature the same tools, but it is just a matter of finding where the features are located from system to system.

“They pretty much all function the same way,” she said.

She compared the new Desire 2 Learn system to a new car, saying that all the features are still there, but locating them is different from car to car.

“Eastern just got a new car,” she said. “It’s just about finding where the new buttons are.”

Some of the new features available in Desire 2 Learn include the locker feature where students can store files and have the ability to post audio recordings in discussions.

“There are benefits for both students and instructors in the new system, but the benefits are different between the two,” Ervin said.

The sessions being offered differ from student sessions to graduate student sessions and faculty sessions.

Ervin said participation in the session averages about five people per session, and each session is scheduled to last 50 minutes.

“It seems like we don’t necessarily hit huge numbers with this type of training,” she said. “The students that do come really appreciate it, though.”

The contract for WebCT has not officially expired, but some professors have made the switch from WebCT to Desire 2 Learn already, though both are still available on Eastern’s website.

“Some professors have required that their information be transferring over from WebCT, but to what degree they are using the course, I’m not sure,” she said.

Eastern will officially make the switch over to Desire 2 Learn entirely in the Spring 2013 semester.

Lindsey Sturm, a junior sociology major, said she came to the workshop to better her knowledge and be able to help others.

“I did this because I’m a Resident Assistant in Lincoln Hall, and I feel like when this website is being used by all the teachers, students will be coming to me with questions because they know I’m a valuable resource,” Sturm said. “I thought it would be important for me to have answers.”

Robyn Dexter can be reached at 581-2812 or redexter@eiu.edu.