Blackboard Strategies: Using Blackboard Pedagogically

Contributed by:
Jonathan James
What is the learning outcome? What do you want your students to know or be able to do?

What activities will help them gain these skills?

How will you know if they have mastered the learning outcome? What assessments will provide you with this data?

How can technology be used as a teaching tool to accomplish the items above?
1. Blackboard Strategies:
Using Blackboard
Pedagogically
2. Instructional Design with
Technology
 Work backwards…What is the learning
outcome? What do you want your students
to know or be able to do?
 What activities will help them gain these
skills?
 How will you know if they have mastered
the learning outcome? What assessments
will provide you this data?
 Finally, how can technology be used as a
teaching tool to accomplish the items
above?
Refer to “A 3-Step Approach” Handout
3. The Classroom Flip Model
 Move lecture materials out of the
classroom through online delivery.
 Move assignments into the
classroom where faculty can serve
as a guide.
 Use extra time for application and
practice.
 Extend conversation out of class
through threaded discussion.
4. Teaching and Learning
Challenges
Students aren’t prepared for class
because they haven’t kept up with the
reading.
Students need extra resources to
expand on what the text offers.
Students need to assess their
understanding of the content more
frequently.
Students need additional opportunities
for discussion and learning from peers.
5. Linking Learning Challenges,
Teaching Strategies,
and Technology Features
Learning Teaching Technology
Challenge Strategy Feature
Students Use more Use online
aren’t frequent assessment
prepared for quizzes on feature in
class the readings Blackboard
6. What is Blackboard?
 A “container” for your course
materials and activities
 Course Management System
 Many tools and features
 A system
 A database: users and courses
 Integrated with other KU Systems
 A teaching and learning tool
 User-friendly Interface
 A web presence
 Available Anytime, Anywhere
7. Common Uses of Blackboard
 Post documents, pictures, graphics, website
links, videos, assignments, other info., etc.
 Communicate with Students
 E-mail
 Discussion Board
 Virtual Classroom
 Announcements
 Manage Course Data
 Online Surveys, Quizzes, and Exams
 Gradebook
 Course Statistics
8. Getting Started…
(How to Prepare)
 Read articles on online teaching and
learning.
 Gather your materials together.
 Outline the course and its components.
 Which materials will be distributed in
class and which will be available online?
 Build the framework for your course by
creating content areas (buttons) and if
necessary folders (Chapters, Weeks)
 Upload files to the content areas or folders.
9. Benefits of
Online Discussion
 Messages are archived and available
for review
 100% participation
 Gives “Voice” to silent students
 More thoughtful, articulate responses
because of increased time for
reflection
 Increased time for discussion, not
limited to space and time
 Supports additional peer learning
10. Discussion Board
Considerations
 Focus the discussion on the main topic
in the readings
 Require participation
 Establish protocols
 Use open-ended questions
 Ask additional probing or follow-up
questions as needed
 Have students serve as moderators,
critiquers, or summarizers
Refer to “Discussion Board Guidelines Ideas”
Handout
11. Discussion Board Ideas
 Posting assignments/projects for
peer review
 “Dumb Questions” forum
 Mid-semester course evaluation
 Brainstorming
 Guest Lecturer
 Test Review
 Case Studies
 Website Critiques
12. Advantages of Online
Assessment
 Instructors can assess student understanding
more frequently and customize lectures
accordingly.
 Students can monitor their own progress and
be held more accountable for their own
learning.
 Displays immediate feedback and results and
provides individual item and overall exam
statistics.
 Allows inclusion of multimedia elements not
possible in paper assessments.
 Can save class time.
 Can repeat (multiple attempts) for mastery.
13. Training and Support
 “Using Blackboard: Tools and
Strategies” course site
 Online Users Manual
 “Behind the Blackboard” at
http://www.blackboard.com/
 Blackboard Users Group/Listserv
(JayBbug)
 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
14. Training and Support cont.
 Quick Reference Card
 IDS Website (http://ids.ku.edu/ )
 Email or Phone (Business Cards)
 Course Check-up
 Course Make-over (
http://ids.ku.edu/cmo.shtml )
15. Misc. Blackboard
Policies and Procedures
 Course Requests/Renewals
 Copyright and Fair Use
 Intellectual Property Rights
 Privacy Issues
 Student Support
 Other Software
16. Thanks for attending!
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