Why did you choose to use Blackboard?

Blackboard helps manage the distribution of course material and assigned readings. My classes (Art History) are very visual and the Bb service allows me the flexibility of posting and augmenting images associated with lectures. It allows me to update my course material in real-time, without the delays associated with using other web-posting services and crafting web pages from the ground up.

It allows me flexibility in developing and deploying examinations and other evaluation projects, I am able to consult and update the quizzes and exams on short notice. It allows me to use a more objective examination format, regardless of course size, and by administering exams in a “take-home” format online, it frees up valuable course time for lectures and discussions.

Blackboard provides me with a tool that encourages student collaboration, for instance, I have my students post their research bibliographies online and contact each other regarding access to research materials and other course related projects. It provides a convenient outlet for students to coordinate test study sessions and preparation. I usually provide a discussion group (managed by the students alone) where students can ask one another about lecture material, the definition of terms, and concepts covered in class and readings. 

How have you integrated the technology into your teaching?

I store my lectures (as PowerPoint presentation) on the Bb server, so that I am able to access my teaching material wherever I might be or wherever my class might be scheduled. I also provide access to readings online (particularly those not available in the library) and am able to review some of them onscreen via the Bb site. I create online image review sheets that students can access to review lectures and prepare for exams and that I can use in classroom review sessions. And I review the syllabus almost daily via the Bb site at the start of class and point out new announcements posted on the Bb site.

How is your use of the technology innovative or different?

I encourage cooperation between students for both their exams and their research projects. I feel that this is much more in keeping with the academic tradition, where none of us operate in a vacuum, but are constantly aided by the input and collaboration of our colleagues. In having students post their research progress online, they aid one another in the completion of projects, but also learn that one’s colleagues can also be great resources. Also, in administering essay-type exams online, it encourages students to prepare for these by organizing and reviewing their class notes and course readings, and also by consulting with their classmates and learning to use these classmates as resources.

What parts of Blackboard have worked the best for you? What hasn't worked?

The online posting of course readings, syllabi, and exam review materials has been great. Students have access to class documents 24/7. Also, despite some initial hiccups, the online examination process has begun to work quite well. I had some initial reservations about going to an entirely online testing process, but I have found that, essentially, my good students do even better and my less-motivated students seem to try a bit harder due to the perception that it is “easier” to do things online (although I have increased exam and research project difficulty). The most surprising thing that I have found is that it seems that the same students who failed my course when it was 100% pen and paper, also fail my course digitally. Essentially my bell-shaped grading curve has remained unchanged despite my move to a digital format.

The chat-feature did not seem to work well (Virtual Classroom). I used to try to keep a session open for office hours and while examinations were posted so that students could have instant access to me - yet no one ever tried to make use of it. There are still a number of problems with the assessment engine - particularly those that rely on user-end hardware (the stability of students’ computers). I wish there were more fail-safe mechanisms set up for test taking (timed backups or “re-logon” timer for students who get kicked off their server and can’t log back into an exam in process). Also, as I have students upload paper projects - I have too much trouble with students who incorrectly saved/named/uploaded their papers. I would like to see a process whereby students could check the validity of their files once they are uploaded.

How has Blackboard changed the way you teach and manage a classroom? And how has it improved your students' ability to communicate and learn?

I have more student collaboration in my classes than ever before. Students are able to contact me and classmates at their leisure through Blackboard, giving them the ability to ask me about topics they may be hesitant to address in class and establish academic relationships with their fellow classmates on their own, rather that being forced to do so via stilted classroom activities and projects. Also the communication center allows students to contact me via email instead of using up class time going over assignments and answering questions about grades because I am able to address grades individually via the Bb gradebook. I have more class time freed up for lectures and discussion and don’t need to spend so much time going over material I can explain or highlight online.