Blackboard, (Bb) is the chosen learning management system that will be discussed in this blog. Although it was listed on the class Wiki page, I chose this CMS because our institution is currently using this system. We implemented Bb in the fall semester of 2016 and many users here at the college are still learning how to use it effectively.
As our executive committee planned to move towards an online environment of providing distance education, they wanted to make sure that the chosen CMS would allow for instructors to have a smooth transition from a traditional classroom to an online format. They also wanted it to be a good fit for student and instructor use, and be user friendly for them both.
Instructional Design
Blackboard, is a nicely built system that currently meets our needs. It was designed with the "understanding that the way people learn is dynamic", and education will continue to evolve. (Blackboard, 2018). At our institution, instructors met with their respective divisions to plan which courses would be delivered through distance learning and plan their curriculum. The text tells us that "teaching at a distance requires planning and organizing" (Simonson, Smaldino, and Zvacek, 2015, p. 127). Reviewing Bb you will find that it meets the needs for the type of online instruction that the institution desires. Instructors want to be able to load course curricula, be able to track student attendance, create rubrics, measure student performance, grade assignments/ tests, and create discussions. These design features allows for a manageable student/ teacher learning experience. "Design is the fundamental element of effective instruction"(Simonson, et al, 2015, p. 128), and allows for instructors to teach and students to be able to learn at "anytime" and "anyplace".
Take a look at the video below that provides details on the "The Learning Experience" by Blackboard:
Teaching
Using Bb system has helped instructors to be more creative in the delivery of course curricula and manage students more effectively. Instructors are able to coordinate with textbook vendors to have their books loaded into Bb with the corresponding course. Some vendors even provide the service of loading and setting up the course in each instructor'shell. Once the content is loaded, instructors are able to set up weekly coursework, learning outcomes, create tests, track their attendance, manage their progress, even submit progress statuses. These components "create a learning experience necessary for student learning" (Simonson, et al, 2015, p. 129). Students
As instructors continue to use the system, there is a need and desire to create an engaging learning environment as well as to have collaboration among students in the online environment. The "student -centered approach to learning fits well into distance education environments", (Simonson, et al, 2015. p. 168). Bb offers a part of the application where instructors are able to build active discussion boards and videos to create an engaging course. Students can also download the Bb app that allows for more interaction with instructors, easy accessibility to the course and monitoring of course progress. For this reason, Bb is a good option for use by the institution as it continues to explore and develop more use for online development and learning.
Support Materials
Bb does provide various support materials to aid in instruction. The texts emphasizes that printed materials, course syllabus and interactive study guides improve the distance education environment, (Simonson, et al, 2015, p. 204). In Bb you can create your own syllabus or use their shell to create. Instructors are also able to create study guides, or have the option of using the loading textbooks content that has study guides attached to the text.The textbook loaded into Bb is an example of printed text and instructors can load and attach their own material to support course instruction.
Assessment
As instructors continue to use Bb, it was an important function to be able to assess student progress. Bb has a piece where instructors are able to grade student assignments, tests, discussions, etc., and provided feedback through a rubric. They are also able to see how student's are progressing and have the ability to send 'alerts' of students that are not performing well. This functionality allows instructors to track their students progress, see where they need to improve and make recommendations or referrals to the students. "Assessment is defined as the process of measuring, documenting, and interpreting behaviors that demonstrate learning" (Simonson, et al, 2015, p.226). This was very important for instructors to have and Bb provides that functionality.
Blackboard, the chosen one, is the CMS for our institution. It not only meets the requests of instructors but also meets the needs of student learning and engagement. The features of the system and it's user friendly resources and content allows for more creativity and course development for teaching. Bb is a great tool that supports higher education needs and appears to be keeping up with future trend as secondary education continues to advance.
Resources:
https://depositphotos.com/42564661/stock-photo-word-cloud-e-learning.html
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1242&bih=602&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=AK8pW4LuCcXEswXGz6H4BA&q=students+learning+online&oq=students+learning+online&gs_l=img.3..0j0i8i30k1l2.111739.113890.0.114063.24.18.0.1.1.0.199.1943.0j15.15.0....0...1c.1.64.img..9.15.1829...35i39k1j0i67k1.0.pCE26X5p7-Q#imgrc=EvKLtMfzb-QwUM:
https://www.learncube.com/benefits-of-virtual-classroom-for-teaching-online.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM3Csm3UNyo
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blackboard_Inc._logo.png
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and learning at a distance (6th ed.). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc..
Wow, it seems like the custromer service provide by Blackboard to their customers is incredible! When discussing technical policies, Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek (2015) stress the importance of resourse reliability. I used Blackboard in my Master's program (2008-2010) and must say that it was very reliable, and I never had any issues with joining classes or accessing and submitting materials and assignments. From your recent experience with Blackboard, it seems that it has only gotten better, making it a superior CMS.
ReplyDeleteSimonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Svacek, S. (2015). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.
It appears that Blackboard was a great option for your school district. The fact that you all started using that Learning Management System (LMS) in the fall of 2016 gives your staff a head start. Simonson, Smaldino, and Zvacek, (2015) found that an online course that is well designed can be just as easy to teach as a face-to-face class. If the teachers in your district are familiar with the LMS and do a good job designing the course, then your district should have success with virtual classes.
ReplyDeleteIt great to get another perspective of a LMS that wasn't on the wiki. It sounds like Blackboard has a lot of positive attributes and its great that your faculty is already getting a jump on learning how to use it. It sounds like it fits your student body great and the numbers of teachers and students that you have. Simonson, Smaldino, and Zvacek (2015) state that "The choice of a medium will depend greatly on the number of learners reached over the life of a course" (p. 147). Sounds like Blackboard is continuing to be a good medium for your system.
ReplyDeleteSimonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Svacek, S. (2015). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.