Embedding Blackboard

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Embedding Blackboard
Ian McDonald April 2005
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About Westminster-Kingsway

• 17,000 Students
• 700 Courses
• 6 main sites ( all connected on the network)
• 60 off site projects

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Our Goals for Blackboard
Aim to publish electronically all course related
materials WKC e-learning strategy
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What we expect from Blackboard

• Quality management
• Sharing of good practice
• Learner autonomy
• Anywhere anytime learning and widening of
  participation
• Increased access for those with visual, hearing
  or mobility impairments.

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Objectives 2004 - 05

• All courses have course outlines posted to
  Blackboard
• All courses have some significant content loaded
  onto Blackboard.

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Barriers to Progress

• Infrastructure
• Integration with existing systems
• Skills ,Hearts and Minds

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Infrastructure

• Performance
• Resilience
• Capacity

2 File servers 2 Database Servers 1
Communications Server Terabyte SAN
Storage Failover Configuration
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Skills, Hearts and Minds

• A comprehensive programme of training and support
  
• Buy-in by senior management and governors
• Induction programme for students

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Integration
Enrolments and course creation from student
records .Uploaded via GUI
Active Directory Authentication
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Managing Progress

• Targets defined by College Management Board
• Progress Reports to Curriculum managers
• Training programmes specifically target
  objectives
• Build objectives into appraisal system and lesson
  observation.

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The Search for Content

• NLN Materials
• In-house development
• Off-air recording
• Video tape libraries
• Use Learning Resources Staff

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The Digital Divide
How do we remain inclusive in a technology rich
environment. Groups at risk are

• Students from low income families
• Students with little or no English
• Students who are taught in the community
• Any student who is not in a classroom with a
  computer

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Blended Learning Changing the way we teach Teach

• We expect Blackboard to change the way we teach
• Transferring knowledge can be done through the
  network
• Thinking skills developed by teacher contact in
  the classroom
• Blackboard can me more teacher contact

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Some Questions

• What benchmarks are there against which we can
  measure progress.
• Where is Blackboard on ..
• Content Search
• Management access to courses
• Pricing