Increasing Course Quality and Blackboard Adoption through Exemplary Course Review Process

Carey SmouseInstructional DesignerJacksonville State University

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Why Course Reviews?

Students:

• Top tool requests in end-of-term surveys:

− Flash-based study aids

− Audio/video content

− Collaborate/Wimba virtual classrooms

• More interaction with instructor and peers; better communication

• Less text-based material; more rich media

Faculty:

• Don’t know about all that is available

• Like the idea of tools/features but don’t know how to use them

• Transitioning from f2f or hybrid and unsure how best to meet learning outcomes in fully online environment

• No time

New tools/features provided through upgrades and purchases but not being used.

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Exemplary Course Review at

Instructor conducts self-

review

Instructor requests

course review with ID

ID accesses Bb course shell and

supplemental systems

Instructor and ID meet to

review suggestions

Exemplary or Accomplished

eligible for stipend

ID offers training

and/or course building

assistance

Course is taught or revised

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Exemplary Course Review Form

Rating Options:• Exemplary• Accomplished• Promising• Incomplete

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ECP Rubric Category: Course Design

Feature/ToolRecommendations:

• Learning modules/lesson plans

• Mashup tools – YouTube, Flickr

• NBC Learn videos• Blackboard Collaborate

Voice Authoring• Publisher content• Course and tool links• Adaptive release

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Course Example: Course Design

Changes Made:

• Converted Course Documents content to learning modules

• Assignments and tests added to respective content areas with course links in learning modules

• Added external links to other systems and publisher materials

• Class presentations not only submitted as assignments but delivered through Collaborate

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ECP Rubric Category: Interaction and Collaboration

Feature/ToolRecommendations:

• Blackboard IM meetings or Office Hours

• Blackboard Collaborate Voice Boards and Voice Emails

• Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing

• Groups and Group Assignments

• Rubrics

• Campus Pack groups or personal learning spaces

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Course Example: Interaction and Collaboration

Changes Made:

• Added live class meetings through Wimba Classroom to existing discussion forums

• Added group project with meeting rooms available to students for preparation and delivery of presentation

• Used voice announcements with transcripts throughout term

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ECP Rubric Category: Assessment

Feature/ToolRecommendations:

• Rubrics• Blogs and Journals• Wikis• StudyMate Class or

Author learning materials• Practice quizzes from

large pools• Blackboard Collaborate

web conferencing• Blackboard Collaborate

Voice Authoring for feedback

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Course Example: Assessment

• Self-assessments for students using StudyMate Class

• Ideal for hybrid course where in-class time is focused on core content

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ECP Rubric Category: Learner Support

Feature/Tool Recommendations:

• On Demand Learning Center

• Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing

• Jing introductions• Mashups - YouTube• Learning modules• Blackboard IM office

hours and help desks• Blackboard Student

Services 24/7 support

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Course Example: Learner Support

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Potential Impact

• Student retention

• Implementation of new tools/features− Highly successful Wimba Classroom rollout

− Interactive rubrics

• Increased usage of existing tools/features− Significant increase in Collaborate session creation and

attendance

• Upgrade preparation for faculty

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For More Information

• Carey Smouse, Instructional Designer−Email: csmouse@jsu.edu

−Blackboard IM: csmouseadmin

• JSU Office of Distance Education website (Services)

• Policy: Standards for Exemplary Distance Education Courses

• JSU review form

• Customized review form (College of Education and Professional Studies)

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