Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar1
SMS services from Blackboard
Lee Griffiths, Sharon Youngson, Mo DjebberSchool of Computing, Science and EngineeringUniversity of Salford
Mike JamesLearning Technologies Centre
University of Salford 3T Productions Ltd, UK. Simon Whittle School of Computing, Science and Engineering University of Salford
SMS, Blackboard and Retention
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar2
SMS services from Blackboard
Contents of this workshop
• Presentation of background to our BlackboardSMS project (LG)
• What we have achieved (LG)– Technically (MD)– Logistically (LG)
• Interactive demonstration (LG/MD)• Two user trials (LG/SY)• Conclusions (LG)• Open discussion
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar3
SMS services from Blackboard
Introduction and Background 1
• On going project which started from a pilot study (Griffiths, Hmer 2004) to prove the technology of sending text messages to large cohorts.
• Investigations found that – students regularly read email
– but they read their text messages more often
– thought the idea of text messages from the university was a good idea, but not sureof uses
Lecture’s cancelled!!
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar4
SMS services from Blackboard
Introduction and Background 2• Dissemination of the initial study attracted attention from the
institutions Learning Technology Centre (LTC).
• We teamed up and devised a plan to:
(1) determine, through requirements analysis, the functionality required from such a system across all disciplines and support services;
(2) develop and integrate a technological solution for delivering the requirements established in (1) via the university's chosen VLE (Blackboard); (3) monitor, by field trial, the effectiveness of an SMS service against traditional forms of communication via the VLE and to elicit opinions from student and staff users;
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar5
SMS services from Blackboard
Project team
• The project team has comprised three full time research students.
• Technical and project support from LTC and ISD• Managerial support from the LTC.• Academic support for the research students from
their supervisory school.
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar6
SMS services from Blackboard
What we have achieved: technically / logistically
• We have created a building block (Blackboard terminology) which adds SMS sending functionality to our Blackboard installation.
• The building block uses information about registered users (e.g. students) to send messages to them.
• We have developed a management system within Blackboard which provides an accounting interface to allow message credit to be given to certain Blackboard users .
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar7
SMS services from Blackboard
The Technology
Source: Blackboard Developer Guide
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar8
SMS services from Blackboard
Authentication & Authorisation (creates user session)
Backboard Interface
SMS Building Block
Java Servlet
SMS Controller
Access Filters
.Jar library
Blackboard API
Acc
ess
Use
r S
essi
on
SMS Model
Java Beans
Java Server Pages
SMS View
Blackboard Tag Libs + Other Tag Libs
Helper Java Classes
Http Communication
SMS Gateway
Java Derby DB
Custom SMS database
Blackboard User
Oracle
BB Database
Config File web.xml
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar9
SMS services from Blackboard
Management of BBSMS txt credit balance
BBSMSBalance (implied)
Customer account
SMS Balance
BBSMS Admin
(e.g. LTC Staff)
End-User SMS
Balance
Department Gatekeeper
e.g. School Finance Officer
Basic User
e.g. Lecturer
Access/control of balance
Balance transfer
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar10
SMS services from Blackboard
User Types and Roles1. Administrator: (BBSMS-Admin)
Allocated by LTC (Learning Technologies Centre). Responsible for adding accounts, assigning managers, and buying credits from SMS gateway company and transferring credits to accounts.E.g. LTC Staff Member.
2. Account Manager: (BBSMS-Gatekeeper)
Allocated by the Admin, responsible for adding users within their department, and allocating text credits to them. E.g. Finance Officer, Budget Holder.
3. Basic User: (BBSMS-BU) Allocated by the account manager, has access to a number of credits allocated by the account manager. E.g. A lecturer.
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar11
SMS services from Blackboard
Users and Balances
BBSMSBalance10000
School 16000
BBSMS Admin
(e.g. LTC Staff)
Lecturer 1
School 24000
School 2 Finance Officer
Text Bal: 1000
Text Bal: 2500
Text Bal: 500
Lecturer 2
Lecturer 3
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar12
SMS services from Blackboard
Interactive demonstration
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar13
SMS services from Blackboard
• Login to the PC using your temporary ISD user account details
• Change your mobile details:1. Open an Internet browser (e.g. IE) and navigate to
http://puck.salford.ac.uk
2. Log-in to Blackboard with the username and password we have given you.
3. In the tools box click on the Personal Information link, then click Edit Personal Information, Scroll down to the Mobile Phone field and enter your mobile phone number. Finally click submit.
4. Once you finished you can remove your mobile number by following the same procedure.
Interactive demonstration: editing your mobile phone details
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar14
SMS services from Blackboard
1, 2. http://puck.salford.ac.uk
Login here with the studentx account details
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SMS services from Blackboard
3. Click on the Personal Information
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SMS services from Blackboard
3. Click on Edit Personal Information
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SMS services from Blackboard
3. Scroll down and add your mobile phone number then submit
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SMS services from Blackboard
Make sure your mobile is switched on
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SMS services from Blackboard
Sending a message as a tutor.
Sending you a message to demonstrate
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SMS services from Blackboard
Field trials of BBSMS
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar21
SMS services from Blackboard
Two Field trials : 1
• Two trials have been carried out with the BBSMS system, mainly to offer support and reminders.
• One trial in the School of Nursing was to get the administrative staff to send SMS alerts to the March 06 cohort of Nursing students.
“M06.KF Just a reminder about Hep B injections next week. Appts already distributed by Occ Hlth”
“M06.KF Back in Uni next week - don't forget clinical skills workshops - TT on Blackboard - sessions start at 10:00 prompt in correct uniform. Kathryn Foden”
• Most recipients (>90%) reported (via a follow-up questionnaire) that they had received the messages
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar22
SMS services from Blackboard
Mostly positive, but some negative comments• Carry on sending text messages with reminders please• I haven't received any messages.• Only ever received a message about clinical skills• If I received the messages it would be helpful. Maybe collect student numbers again!• Text a few days before hand and be able to reply to clarify• Messages could be more group specific possibly with actual dates• More regular reminders about events around the university and support services etc• More text messages, they are useful in reminding me as the programme is busy• Would use to receive text messages for reminders for Hep b's etc• To receive a text message would be useful• I only received the first two Hep B reminder texts - nothing else• I thought the service was really good and seemed to work well• I found this service to be helpful and easy to use• More frequent reminders• Continue to send text messages!• Please send the messages on both email and mobile• Send messages more regular and include dates + times.• I don’t no how to give you a new number. They were good but didn't receive all of the texts• Explain keywords so we can reply.• Didn't receive all messages• The reason I didn't receive any of these texts is because I have changed my number.• All emails to be sent via SMS including ISD reminders when library books are due• Make it more regular and date it i.e. Hep B next Tues 17th• Provide more SMS reminders i.e. you remind us about 2nd Hep B but not the 3rd
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar23
SMS services from Blackboard
Two Field trials : 2
• A survey was completed by a large number of 1st year students within the faculty of Science, Engineering and Environment.
• Most students are happy to be contacted in this way.
• All students surveyed currently use SMS, most on a regular basis.
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SMS services from Blackboard
Methods of Contact
• In terms of retention, weak or absent students are contacted by the school and this now includes SMS txt
• Phone call• Email• Letter• SMS
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SMS services from Blackboard
Responses to contact for attendance• Most students happy to have been contacted.• Quick contact with the students is important when problems
are apparent
• The types of message sent are likely to be based upon those seen within previous works:– Reminders (assessments, lectures)– Emergencies (rooms change, illness, exam times)– Enrolment information / Support (for new students)– Micro learning activities (quizzes, multiple choice, links to other resources)– Two way dialog:
• Assessment feedback• keeping in touch with students, social interaction – “Hi, welcome back….”• following up attendance – perhaps Anonymously ?• staff to student and student to staff• accessibility (e.g. students who do not have email access off campus)
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SMS services from Blackboard
Conclusions• There seems to be a fairly consistent set of uses emerging amongst
researchers – although the set may expand.
• You need staff support – students clearly see the benefits. – it will be normal for students but – quite alien to staff.
• Running costs are high (3p message is cheap) but the right technological solution could lower the cost.
• This is a stop gap technological solution as Wifi and always on mobile email access will take over.
• However the underlying pedagogic (and practical) uses should become common practice.
Where’s that Text
Send button
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar27
SMS services from Blackboard
Questions and open discussion…
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SMS services from Blackboard
Other work - to name a few:
• Harley (2004)– Create a dialog with students, especially new students years– Try to encourage face to face and personal communications.– Not just random texts but practical reminders, micro learning and niceties– Staff perception / culture shock need to get into the gift-giving culture
• Stone (2004)– Students less impressed by technology of VLE, want time sensitive
information– Reminders, assessment, times, locations changes
• Griffiths, Hmer (2004)– Students keen to be involved (opt in) and recognised usefulness of real time
messages– Experimental confirmed the effectiveness of timely information– Not keen to pay for a service– Expensive service to use.
Lee Griffiths, Mike James, Sharon Youngson, Mohamed Djebbar29
SMS services from Blackboard
References
• [Griffiths & Hmer, 2004] Griffiths, L. & Hmer, A., 2004. U R L8 4 ur exam :) [online]. Available at: <URL:http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2004/timetable/files/133/alt-c-2004-v1-LGAH%20.ppt> Accessed [25/07/2005]
• [Harley, 2005] Harley, D., 2005. Integrating Mobile Communications Into the Workings of a University to Aid Student Retention [online]. Available at: <URL:http://wwwstaff.brighton.ac.uk/~dah2/downloads/StudentMessenger.pdf> Accessed [05/07/2005].
• [Stone, 2004] Stone A., 2004. Mobile Scaffolding: An Experiment in Using SMS Text Messaging to Support First Year University Students. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT’04) 0-7695-2181-9/04.
• [Traxler & Riordan, 2003] Traxler, J. & Riordan, B. 2003. Evaluating the Effectivness of Retention Strategies using SMS, WAP and WWW Student Support [online]. Available at: <URL:http://www.ics.ltsn.ac.uk/pub/conf2003/John%20Traxler.pdf> Accessed [14/07/2005]
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SMS services from Blackboard
Username: student1 Password: student1
Username: student2 Password: student2
Username: student3 Password: student3
Username: student4 Password: student4
Username: student5 Password: student5
Username: student6 Password: student6
Username: student7 Password: student7
Username: student8 Password: student8
Username: student9 Password: student9
Username: student10 Password: student10
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SMS services from Blackboard
Username: student11 Password: student11
Username: student12 Password: student12
Username: student13 Password: student13
Username: student14 Password: student14
Username: student15 Password: student15
Username: student16 Password: student16
Username: student17 Password: student17
Username: student18 Password: student18
Username: student19 Password: student19
Username: student20 Password: student20
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