Obviously, Ryan Tansey's got some IT background and is more tech savvy than the average student, but nevertheless, it is definitely worthwhile to hear a student's perspective on Blackboard use in his institution.
There are a lot of positive and negative points here, some to be expected, but most interesting is Ryan's observation that using Blackboard ineffectively was more detrimental to his learning experience than not using it at all. This ought to be a wake up call to campus administrators that you can't just throw the technology out there and expect it to be used correctly. Sometimes, it creates more problems than it's worth (and to an open source advocate like me, Blackboard's not worth anywhere near what it costs to begin with).
To end on a positive note, Ryan raised an important point about how classroom time is better optimized:
Those faculty who actively put material online and clarified assignments made it easier for everyone to maximize their time in class. The instructional time in these classes began sooner and lasted longer. We were not burdened with handout distributions and assignment clarifications. I found the classroom discussions in these courses broader and livelier.
Gee. I had forgotten about the mess of paper handouts. I haven't done that in years, since my first year teaching :-)
Link courtesy of EdTechPost
series of tubes
I forgot to add . . . maybe the problem is that those ineffective teachers see the Internet as a series of tubes ;-)
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Charlie | cyberdash
In place of Blackboard
It wouldn't surprise me if some of them did see the Internet as a series of tubes. Quite a few of them seem to view computers as a cool new kind of typewriter.
As for Blackboard, what would you suggest in place of it, if it's not worth the money?
Tom
Two Cultures
In place of Blackboard
All depends on what you want and what your goals are. If you want course management software (i.e. something to administer a class and post your content), then why not Moodle? If you are more interested in a place for students to share their writing and enagage in online discussion, why not blog software such as WordPress, MT, or even Blogger? I prefer an even more robust solution and use a full-fledged content management system. I use Drupal personally, but other educators like Plone and Elgg. Each has its advantages over the other and will likely require a little more tech saviness and devotion to learn than basic blog software. Joomla might be easier than those three if this is your first foray into content management systems.
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Charlie | cyberdash
a little self-serving in place of BB
Ryan is employed by Washington's State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, I think in the tech end of things. In short, they're the folks who make Blackboard available to the 32 technical and community colleges in the state, and I teach at one of those 32 schools. One flip-side is that the statewide license, at $2.5 million annually, didn't get signed so now the districts seem to be going it on their own. Still, the state is heavily invested in Blackboard and I wouldn't except a scathing critique or push to more effective options from a relatively new hire working for the state board. bradley || bleckblog.org
I, Ryan Tansey
Hey, I just thought I'd put in my 2 cents. I'm the Ryan Tansey who wrote that article, and I think you might have mistaken me with a different Ryan who works for the State of Washingon.
I actually live in Portland, Oregon right now and just quit my most recent job working for the Apple Store.
whoops, my apologies ryan
Don't you hate it when someone of the same name of you is kicking around? I once received a call from the Spokane Country Sheriff. They first called my mother in Seattle to track me down in Spokane. Seems they found a car registered in my name abandoned somewhere in the county, Spokane County, abandoned in a bad way I guess. This same Bradley Bleck was recently mentioned in his mother's obituary, which led a number of my colleagues to offer me their sympathies, except my mother was skiing in Sun Valley and quite alive. Once again, my apologies for creating the confusion. Philip Sidney would say I am a liar and need to be run out of the commonwealth, but Aristotle might let me stay if I make enough mea culpas!
bradley || bleckblog.org
So Similar Names? Happens!
There are too many Ryans, just keep going :-D
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Magree