Sociology + Technology = Educational Innovation
Daniel Franc, studying at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, created the technology for the new product envisioned by his graduate professor, Douglas McConatha, Ph.D. Doug had the vision for how software could enable the fundamental academic process. Together, they developed features and functionality based on a solid understanding of the usability characteristics of students, faculty and administrators.
Dan Franc, recalling the beginnings of what has become WebStudy, Inc., says he and Dr. McConatha saw the human usability issues of the new system as more important than the technology behind the software.
Flexibility + Attitude = Optimal Teaching & Learning
Franc, who admits to coming up with original intuitive design on notebook paper during one of his lectures, also claims his own "keep-it-simple attitude" played a role in what has become a real strength of the flagship Course Management System: "We didn't want to make a CMS that takes too much time to use or update," he says. And that consideration was serendipitous in making a flexible system that instructors and students can easily use.
The fluidity and adaptability of the software design remains the solution to a slow or prolonged technology adoption rate – a problem facing many institutions. The usability of WebStudy's Course Management System, and its related products, is enticing to power users and faculty “slow to recognize” how to use technology to enrich their classes.
Add New Partners
Joseph Curt Corbi and Gisele Larose were both inspired by parents who were educators. As a result, they were motivated to add their entrepreneurial and experienced corporate leadership to a higher education software development firm. The needs of educational stakeholders were placed first in comparison to investor shareholder needs. When they brought their combined 50 years of successful experience in corporate training and software manufacturing, to WebStudy, Inc., today's company took shape within that "perfect storm": the convergence of enterprising talent, technological know-how, and passion for education.
Early History
WebStudy, Inc. was the lynchpin in the Education Technology Consortium, an early distributor of telecourses, and satellite broadcasts of accredited course work produced and delivered by the former PBS Adult Learning Services. During WebStudy's nine years of providing software to the Consortium, an estimated 175,000 learners earned academic credits from participating colleges and universities.
WebStudy's product suite was further developed purposely by educators, both
faculty and students, working with software developers. All the WebStudy
products are structured to be easy to use and our company is committed to
helping you succeed.
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Our Evolution
- Fall, 1997 – 2006, WebStudy remained an R&D arm to the Educational Technology Consortium
- Spring, 2005, CourseStream (CS), a streaming media management system launched
- Fall 2005, CourseLive (CL), a real-time synchronous software launched
- Fall 2005, WebStudy CMS (Course Management System) v7, fully integrated with CS and CL released
- Spring 2006, WebStudy Inc. becomes a nationally recognized independent educational technology provider
- Fall 2006, the WebStudy CMS v8 certified as SCORM 2004
Testimonials
"It's astonishing that barely ten years ago, it was still the Wild West in development of educational technology. But even in the Wild West, our philosophy was that the most sophisticated technology was of no value if people were unable to use it."Daniel Franc, Director of Development WebStudy
“Faculty made numerous suggestions that were ALL implemented for the betterment of the entire software package. We gained pride and ownership of the software.”
Mark Saks,, Director of Distance Education [retired], Community College of Philadelphia
“WebStudy is always pushing the technology envelope and is very interested in making our DL program as successful as possible.”
Ronni Ticker, Director of Distance Learning, Gratz College