Blackboard

Blackboard is a web-based course management system that can be used to compliment a college course that meets face to face on campus or to structure a purely online course. Blackboard is wonderful tool for teachers to use to help educate their students through different mediums. Teachers can post tutorial podcasts to reiterate a textual reading. In addition video clips can be posted to demonstrate what has been taught. Teachers can keep children up to date with assignments and grades. Most importantly, this space can be used to incorporate collaboration among a class through the use of wikis, blogs and discussions. Helpful steps on how to apply these materials to a Blackboard are listed in James Lengel's article "Posting Materials Online with Blackboard: Hints and Tips." The inclusion of these great cooperative learning strategies is a simple and effective way to teach students through means that will adhere to their unique learning preferences. For teachers who are solely constructing a course online, Lengel offers several articles about how to develop engaging, highly educational courses one of these articles is, "Building and Online Course." I believe these key instructions are crucial to creating a good online course. It is important to not overwhelm the students with a long list of assignments in a unit but have the assignments broken up will make them seem more manageable. In addition, clear directions will eliminate confusion and increase the student's ability to complete the task. These and other techniques for teaching through online course management will help teachers as well as students cooperate, learn and grow.

My experience has been with a similar system called "Moodle." I have found it very helpful when professors provide links to articles that pertain to the chapter. These postings allow me to connect the themes from class with experiences outside of class. It is wonderful when podcasts are supplied that review for the up coming test. Hearing the material out loud really helps my auditory learning style. My teacher sometimes hosts "Virtual Sessions" on Moodle where we do not physically have to come to class and instead we can submit assignments through Moodle. The teacher is available online during that class period to explain or elaborate if there is any confusion on the assignment. I am lucky to have been given the opportunity to utilize the technological innovations in my education. I will surely note what worked and what did not work for me so that I can be the best teacher possible for my future students.