The Uses of Blackboard in IDARI

Objectives

• Provide overview of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)

• Identify uses of Blackboard in IDARI

What is Blackboard?• Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)• Course Management System

What does Blackboard do?

• Supports and enables Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)

• Provides Web-based materials and communication tools

What is a VLE?Website that provides functions valuable to the learning

process

• repository for formal course documents• storage area for work programmes• communication area • collection of relevant online external links or resources• tracking mechanism to monitor student use and monitor

progress• assessment tools – multiple choice quizzes surveys etc

How does a VLE benefit IDARI?

• repository for formal course documents e.g. journal articles, reports, and documents not suitable for e-mail exchange

• storage area for work programmes, time plans for student supervisors and CEE research facilitators, and also for time plans for work package research groups etc

• communication area –discussion forums in bulletin board format, announcements, email, live chat

• collection of relevant online external links or resources - links to relevant websites including principle partner and principle contractor websites

Advantages of VLE• Accessible anywhere, any time over Web• Extends communication and information exchange

beyond a physical classroom • Enables uploading and exchange of content • Provides group sections for project teams • Aids and supports student learning• Improves course administration and content

management• Supports and promotes CMC

What is CMC?

• Computer-Mediated Communication

• Collective term for a range of technologies including:

• E-mail

• Discussion boards / bulletin boards

• “Live” chat

• Conferencing tools

Advantages of CMC• Facilitates two-way communication between

learners, tutors, and other learners

• Supports and sustains online communities• shared workspaces • synchronous meetings – lightweight chat• access to threaded discussion board for asynchronous

communication• web-based conferencing – “virtual meeting places” –

virtual classroom

Blackboard and IDARI• Blackboard Learning System, version 6, Basic Edition

• NUI,G – own dedicated server – high performance and reliable – up to 5000 concurrent users

• Worldwide – almost 3000 universities and colleges – 5,000,000 users

• Advantages of Blackboard• Ease of use – user oriented• Does not require a high degree of technical skill • Meets international standards

CMC is the Primary Use of Blackboard in IDARI

• News • Communication

i) Announcementsii) Discussion Boards (9 Ph.D. Research groups, 3 Work

package research groups) – asynchronous communication

iii) Group Pages (9 Ph.D. Research groups, 3 Work package research groups, 1 IDARI Ph.D. student group)

a) Collaborations – synchronous communication – Lightweight chat and virtual classrooms

b) File exchangec) Group discussion board (IDARI Ph.D. students)

iv) Send e-mail

Additional Uses of Blackboard in IDARICourse content and knowledge management system:

• Course content: • Documentation

– Course Documents – Student Documents

• Workshop

• Knowledge Management:• Project Information• Personnel Information• External Links

Functionality supported by Tools, Navigational aids, and Control Panel

Summary

• Blackboard is a VLE and Course Management System that supports CMC

• Primary use in IDARI is to promote and facilitate CMC