Instructional Technology Center

Blackboard for Faculty

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is a password-protected, web-based course management system - a "one-stop-location" for nearly all the tools you and your students need to create an online learning environment (Go to the corporate Blackboard Learning System website for more official information about this CMS). The extent of use is completely up to the instructor. Some on-campus instructors use Blackboard simply to post their syllabus and hold discussions, while instructors teaching fully online courses typically use Blackboard more extensively. As of Fall 2006, there are about 100 faculty and 300 course sections at Chabot in all.

Note that Blackboard is a password-protected web-based system. Only students enrolled in a given course site will have access, and usually within the time frame of a semester. If you need to post content that is available to anyone at anytime, you may consider reviewing differences between Blackboard and Webpages. However, for ease of use, the ITC staff recommends Blackboard over web pages.

Ways you and your students can use Blackboard

Course Content
Communication
Assessment
Other

Course Content

To post course syllabus for easy access
To add content and learning objects
To link to library resources and databases
To post daily news, quotes, words, trivia, etc.
To publish classroom notes or study guides
To provide supplementary reading material
To create a virtual art gallery
To post movie clips
To post audio lectures
To provide links to useful websites
To allow students to read or listen to material repeatedly for understanding
To provide students who must miss class with easy access to materials
To include a glossary of course terminology
To put unlimited additional resources in the hands of students

Communication

To enhance student-to-student communication
To enhance faculty-to-student contact
To distribute email messages to students
To encourage out of class discussion via discussion boards or chat rooms
To provide online homework help (virtual office hours)
To encourage collaborative learning
To connect students with community leaders and outside experts
To get 100% participation in class discussions
To reach “shy” students and allow them to express their thoughts
To provide opportunities for learning communities
To share community events
To set up groups for classes (large or small)
To send specific emails to a subset (group) of students
To facilitate group projects by allowing students to discuss particular topics or exchange certain files
To remind students of important deadlines
To share student ideas and projects
To develop a mentoring system
To collect student quotes
To help students find study partners
To assist in creating connections and inclusion
To communicate expectations and objectives
To provide advance organization for in-class discussion

Assessment

To allow students to monitor their own progress
To post assignments and allow students to submit work digitally
To assess student progress with just-in-time methods
To record, display, calculate, and analyze student scores
To publish student writing
To conduct student surveys for quick feedback
To provide self-help or self-improvement quizzes
To create drill and practice exercises
To post extra credit work
To post answers
To give students immediate feedback on quizzes and assignments
To keep students apprised of “how they are doing”
To facilitate test review
To measure student access to course materials and tools
To develop formative and summative assessments
To provide interactive activities
To gauge student understanding and interests
To eliminate time consuming exam grading
To encourage reflective thinking
To organize student papers electronically
To promote peer editing for review and suggestions
To gather suggestions from students for course improvements

Other

To time control access to information by students
To copy things from one place to another (within the same course or between courses)
To provide continuous access to a student roster
To reduce printing and copying costs
To provide more time for classroom instruction and activities
To encourage students to read their textbook
To help students come to class prepared
To put an end to the “lost papers” excuse
To engage students with different learning styles
To provide consistency in course structure
To improve retention of course material
To engage students outside of class
To allow students to review lecture before or after class
To meet student expectations
To integrate technology into curriculum
To provide 24x7 access to course materials—anytime, anywhere
To make teaching and learning fun!

Thank you to the Arizona State University Bb-id listserve for creating the original list.

Chabot College