Sometimes we receive a question about when, if ever, we will move on from Blackboard. But moving to another LMS might not solve all of our problems. Two presentations at the UH Downtown Technology Conference underlined both the frustration with Blackboard as well as the idea that the solution to its limitations might not hinge on moving to a different platform, but rather on shifting our pedagogy.
In a session called Student Engagement and Generational Differences in Technology, six students and a professor shared their views about Blackboard. Though gentle in tone, their message was firm: Blackboard has lots of limitations, particularly in regards to the notification feature. One student implied that it was a regression to “web 1.0.”
However, it may not be so easy to just pick up another platform. It took nearly four years for UT Austin and the UT Science Center to switch over from Blackboard to Canvas (a relatively new product on the market).1 According to the testimonies of several, very distraught professors, the problem was far from solved. Among other things, they complained that Canvas was an “immature product” with less usable features such as a poor quality of reporting feature than their previous platform.2
At the conference, I also attended 0 to 100: The Transition from a Techno-Phobe Face to Face Instructor to a Blackboard Super User. The title instilled some hope and reminded me it’s not just the platform that is decisive for a student’s learning experience. A professor and two students shared how the professor’s proactive pedagogy and the timely support of IT staff contributed to “the best online learning experience” that they’d had. For example, the instructor addressed the social and emotional aspect of learning and teaching. She was actively engaging in students’ conversation in the forum. Thus, students could feel a sense of belonging in the course. Plus the instructor set up clear learning objectives and concise guidelines for the forum. And she gave meaningful feedback in a timely manner. Their presentation made a lot of sense. If it’s the people who make the difference, then we neither need wait four years nor endure the growing pains inherent in adopting new technology.
In fact, despite the limitations of our beloved Blackboard, all of the conditions for a positive online learning experience are already here. A little patience and participation such as individual critical reflection paper and group discussion from the students.3 A little proactivity from the professors. Strong and responsive technical support and training can all work to ensure success.4 As Dr. Julie Schell, Director of OnRamps and Strategic Initiatives at UT (Austin), said in her recent visit the UH, “It’s not about technology. It’s about people.” (http://www.uh.edu/class/oet/emerging-trends/)
- Course and Learning Management System Project Report and Recommendations https://www.utexas.edu/its/course-mgmt/governance/LMS%20Project%20Report%20and%20Recommendations-FINAL.pdf
- It is based upon my personal observation when I attended Texas Canvas User Conference in 2013. It might not be the case anymore.
- If you need additional resources, check our posts tagged “discussion board”: http://www.instruction.uh.edu/tags/discussion-board/
- Univeristy of Houston at downtown training library (https://www.uhd.edu/computing/services-training/training/Pages/training-index.aspx)