KU online system to provide 'all' educational tools
KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait University will soon be implementing an online learning system designed to enhance teaching and learning in and outside the traditional classroom. This was disclosed Sunday during an orientation session on the Blackboard learning system attended by the different Course Coordinators and Unit Heads at the KU Language Center presided by the center's director Dr Ziyad Al-Sharhan and conducted by Daniel Masters, Supervisor, English Language Unit, College for Women and Nadia Farkhow, Blackboard Program In-charge at the College for Women.
According to an information sheet:
Blackboard is a web-based software application created to support and enhance the teaching and learning process in and outside the traditional classroom. It creates a virtual learning environment that extends learning beyond class time and provides faculty members with the tools needed for customized course and content management, while facilitating online communication and collaboration between teachers and their students. It is also an ongoing support system for students to encourage further participation and involvement throughout a given course, allowing students to utilize online resources, materials and activities provided by teachers which works in complementing classroom teaching and optimizing the learners overall learning experience.
Among the system's main features are: Course Content Source - whereby teachers using Blackboard can make all of the course materials, documents and any extra files available online e.g. Course syllabus, lectures, handouts, example assignments and external links. Blackboard also allows teachers to pre-set dates in which they would want the documents to be available online and for viewing by students. In addition, teachers can post announcements when needed throughout the course. Assessment and Student Progress Tracking: Teachers, with Blackboard can easily create online practice tests with the program's test manager which allows the teacher to customize test layout and select question types to be used e.g. multiple choice, true/false and essay/short answer questions. The tests can be programmed to be automatically corrected and to provide prompt responses and feedback depending on students' answers. Along with all the practice these tests can provide, they assist the learner with self-assessment, as well as, allowing the teachers to measure, evaluate and track students' understanding, knowledge and progress throughout a given course. Similarly, online course surveys can be created using Blackboard's survey manager, by which various courses can be evaluated and assessed by students online.
Gradebook: Blackboard is programmed to automatically upload all the students enrolled in a given course into the Gradebook. The Gradebook enables teachers to administer and manage everything related to students' grades. Spreadsheet layouts and items in the Gradebook can be designed and created by the teacher according to his/her needs and the grades calculated automatically.
In addition, it can provide the teacher with a review of grades for each individual student separately. The Gradebook can also provide various statistical reports and information related to students' grades. Furthermore, grades from online assignments can be automatically added to the Gradebook, while other grades have to be inserted manually.
Communication Tools: Blackboard provides its users with various tools for communication, like: Discussion Boards -- where teachers and students can communicate by using threaded discussion boards assigned for each course, and both instructors and learners have the opportunity to post questions and comments regarding any given course, allowing them to share different ideas and views. These discussions are saved and can be viewed by students throughout the semester.
Chat Rooms: Allows for real-time communication between learners and teachers, and users can communicate and chat synchronously, while exchanging files and documents regarding courses they are attending.
Email: Blackboard is programmed to allow teachers to send emails to all their students at the same time within the same application (Bb).
These tools work in supporting the learners various needs, while encouraging and increasing the learners' involvement in the actual learning process; seek assistance and help from their teachers and peers, in addition to learning from questions and comments that have been posted by other students and teachers.
Blackboard's other feature includes, Digital Dropbox: That allows students to give their assignments over the net and teachers to correct them and give feedback using track changes.
Course Calendar: This can be used to display important dates throughout the course. Video/Audio uploads: Video and Audio files can be uploaded and used by the learners. External Links: Allows the teachers to provide external links which will direct students straight to the website needed.
Benefits of Blackboard to students: Creates a 24/7 support system and course content source, which learners can access at any time from any web connected computer; teacher/student and student/student communication, interaction and collaboration are enhanced; creates a non-threatening learning environment for students with option for anonymity, which would allow and encourage introverted learners to participate and take a more active role in the learning process.
Blackboard provides learners with course materials designed and presented in various ways and formats, which would accommodate and support various individual learner learning methods and styles; and instructors can take a more learner-centered approach to teaching.
It also encourages learner autonomy, which assists in developing a more independent learner; and learners can be provided with endless language practice that can support their daily classroom activities, as well as, developing new skills.
For teachers: It provides teachers with various tools to better assess and evaluate learners' progress, achievement and overall understanding; improves teacher/student rapport; assists in storing, organizing and delivering course materials, documents and information.
Blackboard also combines various course management and communication tools within one program such as sending emails; creating surveys and practice tests, distributing these and calculating results automatically.
Blackboard can reduce teachers' workload, since it is programmed to be re-used. The courses that have been designed and set up with all the various contents e.g. handouts, practice tests are recycled by simply uploading the new student list. Blackboard, according to College for Women English Language Unit Supervisor Daniel Masters, is a secure system. It gives teachers control over what contents they want their students to access. It can also either be restricted to students registered in a particular course, or be made openly available. Kuwait University has adopted the Blackboard system since 2005 but it is not being used extensively, says Dr Ziad Al Sharhan who added that, the initial orientation session will be followed by workshops to train and prepare teachers for the full implementation of the program during the Fall term.
© Arab Times 2007
