A Holistic Approach to Encouraging the Use of Blackboard

Charmian Eckersley, [email protected]

Education Services Tammy Robinson, [email protected]

Faculty of Health Ron Sharkey, Faculty of Health The University of Newcastle

20 November 2003

Exponential growth in Blackboard Use

Number of Courses Number of Enrolments 1,100 - 2003 88,000 Number of Instructors Hits on Most Active Date 1,476 6 Aug 2003 254,909 20 Nov 2003 The University of Newcastle 2

Escalating Use

Organisational Context

University Review 2002 “Devolution without duplication” IT Review 2002-3 – Teaching and Learning Working Group 20 Nov 2003 The University of Newcastle 4

Management Framework for Teaching and Learning Environment

Deputy Vice Chancellor Pro Vice-Chancellor – Information Technology Pro Vice-Chancellor – Teaching and Learning Exec Directors USD IT Portfolio Committee (ITPC) Curriculum Teaching & Learning Portfolio Committee (CTLPC)

ADVICE & INFORMATION

Asst Deans IT and T&L

USD – system operation & support

•Infrastructure services •Education services •Student Alumni & Community Services •Human Resource Services

User Groups

(USD & Faculty representation): •Blackboard User Group

Faculties

through: •IT Committees •Curriculum Teaching & Learning C’tees

Teaching & Learning Systems Blackboard

Library databases Theatre technologies (AMX) Videoconferencing Tutorial tracking system Professional placement system NURAPID Timetable system (Syllabus+) Computer Laboratories Skillbuilder

Administrative Systems

Curriculum Tracking System (CTS) Groupwise (email) NUSTAR (student & course records) Concept (staff records) Finance systems

Student Systems

Studentmail etc

Support Groups Education Services (system owner) Blackboard User Group

Faculty reps

Infrastructure Services (System & Database Administrators) Network for Innovation In Teaching & Learning Call Centre (for staff) Information Desks (for students) Human Resource Services

Training Integration Project – Peoplesoft, Course Tracking System, etc.

Blackboard Upgrade Project

Blackboard User Group

Terms of Reference

The User Group aims to be representative of all users of the course management system (Blackboard). It will encourage representatives to gather views from within their organizational units. The User Group shall have primary responsibility to advise on planning and operation of Blackboard.

Advising on issues and questions relating to the operation of Blackboard in relation to the core business of teaching and learning including central support, Faculty responsibilities, use in research, teaching and learning.

...

20 Nov 2003 7 The University of Newcastle

Support Teams in Partnership – Training

Training Workshops Seminars, Forums, Q&A Sessions 20 Nov 2003 Network for Innovation in Teaching & Learning Human Resource Services Trainers – usu. from Faculties Network for Innovation in Teaching & Learning Faculty Leaders or Working Group Presenters – usu. from Faculties The University of Newcastle 8

Overview sessions How useful was the workshop

% 50 40 30 20 10 0 not useful quite useful extremely useful

I learned a lot in the workshop

% 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 strongly disagree neutral strongly agree

Communication Assessment Evaluation of teaching

Blackboard @ Newcastle Supporting webpages “

Welcome to Blackboard

“course” for new users.

All instructors are registered - news Documentation – “Do’s and Don’ts”, student 20 Nov 2003 12 The University of Newcastle

Technical Support Team

Education Services Infrastructure Services Servers Software Systems integration Tutorial Placement System -> Groups NUSTAR – PeopleSoft – student system Concept – staff system 20 Nov 2003 The University of Newcastle 13

Faculty of Health - Bb

History of dissatisfaction with Topclass and Motet – subsequent move to Blackboard.

2001 – 3 rd Year Bachelor of Nursing Clinical Course and Post Graduate Nurse Practitioner Program delivered online via Bb.

2003 – All Nursing & Midwifery Postgraduate & Undergraduate Programs using Bb Most Programs in Faculty of Health using Bb.

20 Nov 2003 14 The University of Newcastle

Bb Support - Faculty of Health

“Mentoring” for staff who are not competent with computers or learning management systems.

“Open-door” access to support for staff/students.

Contact details posted in all Bb courses for students.

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Evaluation

i D s a g r e e l r a N e t u 2 % A g r e e A g r e e t S r o n g l y This course has been presented in an interesting and stimulating way. 0.5

0.45

0.4

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0 Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

Online Assignment Submission

Problems with Digital Dropbox (large numbers of students and multiple lecturers/tutors) Created online form which utilises Bb’s email function to send assignments to a nominated email account.

20 Nov 2003 18 The University of Newcastle

I liked having a choice in the way that assignments could be submitted. 0.5

0.45

0.4

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

The electronic form for submitting assignments was easy to use: 0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

Two-way Sharing

Faculty the innovators Re-developed as a resource for the whole University Facilitating opportunities for sharing GradSchool resources Blackboard orientation – re-worked into Blackboard Walkthrough On CD & via the web 20 Nov 2003 The University of Newcastle 21

Interview with 50 academic managers

Attend a workshop - but “specific questions arise when you actually have to develop the curriculum” Not everything relevant to your design project can be covered in the workshops Hesitant to ask proficient colleagues - an imposition Mentoring service Exemplar course 20 Nov 2003 22 The University of Newcastle

Mentoring

Facilitating a Blackboard “start-up” mentoring service for those requesting more intensive and relevant help in course design Production of specialised learning materials by the multi-media skilled team Exemplar facilitating an understanding of pedagogical principles underpinning course design and delivery online 20 Nov 2003 23 The University of Newcastle

Exemplar course In Blackboard Postgrad Course in Education Fully online Practical Skills Teaching Programme Blackboard Workshops Workshops & Seminars Mentoring

Selection of the exemplar

100% online course exploring all new pedagogies – 3 years Author the recipient of the University award for excellence in teaching An educationist with theoretical underpinnings applying new knowledge Researching and evaluating teaching and learning 20 Nov 2003 The University of Newcastle 25

Course design The use of role playing

( Bonk, 2002)

Its constructivist approach to learning

(Dick & Carey, 1990)

Provision of plenty of resources for learner inquiry and critical thinking

(McLoughlin & Oliver, 1999)

A focus on outcomes

(Oliver, 2000)

Encouraging deeper learning

(Carmean & Haefner, 2002)

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Course design

Use of the authentic context of classroom scenarios

(Herrington, Oliver, & Stoney, 2000)

Use of authentic assessment activities

(Oliver, 2000; Reeves & Okey, 1996)

Careful planning of the organization of the curriculum 20 Nov 2003 The University of Newcastle 27

Deeper learning

Constructed around the five core deeper learning principles: social, active, contextual, engaging, and student owned Creating of the learning community via thoughtful use of the Discussion Board. assessment requirements social café 20 Nov 2003 The University of Newcastle 28

Achievable

Teaching & Learning Support team Multimedia enhancements for the scenarios. Static images and sound clips to help students make the connection between the theory and the work they will be performing 20 Nov 2003 The University of Newcastle 29

Teaching Online Forum

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