DURHAM 2012 – Opening Pandora’s Box and Riding the Tiger

Gary ClayStaffordshire University

DURHAM 2012 – Opening Pandora’s Box and Riding the Tiger

Gary ClayStaffordshire University

Session outline:• Blackboard @ Staffs – issues around

support • The solution• Concluding remarks

The Blackboard Jungle at Staffs

• Used since 2003• Now mainstream /

ubiquitous (see next slide)• LDI’s role• Things you need to be

aware of

Growth of Blackboard at Staffs

The Blackboard Support Continuum

Blackboard infrastructure / application

RED text = LDI’s view. Green = IS view.Arrow to the left – view of LDFI’s remit, that to the right – view of IS’s remit.

How ownership of support emerges

1. No exit strategy2. Lack of

awareness3. Frustration4. By accident

Tangential Problems

1. Lack of clarity2. Many ways to

raise support calls3. Ambiguous

language4. Staff thrown in at

the deep end5. Arduous support

processes.

Rationale to overcome this1. Clearer demarcation

of support2. Clearer guidance for

staff3. Upskilled staff4. Support within

Faculties5. Less bureaucracy /

delays6. Reduction in non-

core activity for LDI

Moving Bb Support to the right places

1. User accounts2. Course presence management3. Course access

4. Training5. Developing course pedagogy6. Features not included7. bugs

The Transfer Process

Meetings, meetings, meetings

We held some stuff back…

Conclusions / reflections

Where next?

Closing remarks

Thank you!g.m.clay@staffs.ac.uk