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Educational Technology

Blackboard

BlackboardBlackboard is a web-based course and content management system that consolidates many services and tools that IT traditionally provided to faculty and students separately, such as course web pages, discussion boards, and drop boxes. Further, Blackboard can assist faculty with course management with such features as an electronic gradebook and statistics on which course pages were accessed. 17 faculty members, approximately 600 students, and 24 courses piloted Blackboard during the Spring 2005 semester. The pilot included humanities, social science, and science courses.

URL:
Blackboard is located at http://blackboard.bowdoin.edu/. Tips on getting started are available.

Use:
Beginning in Fall 2005 Blackboard will be available for all courses, enabling faculty to provide their students with course content (e.g., syllabus, assignments, readings), online discussion, file space for individuals and groups, and electronic submission of assignments (e.g., digital dropbox). Additionally, Blackboard can be used by campus organizations as a content management system and place for online discussion.

Innovation/Contribution:
Blackboard provides a centralized place for course-related services, making it easier for faculty and students to use these electronic services. With Blackboard, instructors will have more control over the electronic aspect of their courses, being able to easily add content and to add or remove features they think appropriate for a particular course. Beyond the formal curriculum, Blackboard has the potential to be a place for fostering online information sharing and discussion within student organizations or other campus groups.

Upcoming Events:
Training sessions on Blackboard will be offered in August and September. Information about the schedule and reservations for specific sessions can be found at http://www.bowdoin.edu/it/training/archives/current/005100.shtml.

Contact: Jennifer Snow