The e-Learning Center
The e-Learning Center
What is Bb Learn?
Bb Learn is NAU’s new “LMS.”
A Learning Management System is:
•A Secure Content Repository
•A Collection of Interactive Tools
http://bblearn.nau.edu
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How do people use the LMS?
Web enhanced: No reduction in seat time
in the face-to-face classroom. Materials
placed online only enhance or supplement
the in-person course.
Hybrid: Some reduction in seat time from
the face-to-face classroom. Participation
online is essential to success.
Fully online: No face-to-face meetings.
Class is held entirely online. Some
activities may require synchronous
participation but many are asynchronous.
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What happened to Vista?
Vista was a product of WebCT.
WebCT got bought by Blackboard.
Blackboard terminates all Vista licenses in 2013
Planning such a big move takes lots of time
We needed a succession plan…
Don’t worry!
•All LMSes have similar feature sets
•E-Learning helps you migrate content
•E-Learning provides training on Bb Learn
•E-Learning provides support for faculty
•Vista remains available for record retention,
grade appeals, etc.
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Why Blackboard?
PACAC decision: Blackboard or Moodle?
Conducted simultaneous pilots
Gathered faculty, staff and student input
Why not something else?
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Moving forward
Migrate
Re-design
Most people chose migrate, but we will
help either way. There are some
excellent reasons to consider redesign.
Migration Request
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SIS/LMS Data Exchange
The SIS -> LMS data “feed” runs every 2 hours
•Enrollment (Adds and Drops) is automatic
• Rosters of future classes may contain students
• If a student drops, work is preserved
Your PeopleSoft (LOUIE) class scheduler
•Assigns the Instructor(s) and TAs to the class
•Assigns their roles in Bb Learn
•Sets class Start/End dates
•Creates cross-listed or co-convened classes
Access to the class
•Class Opens to students on Peoplesoft start date
•Class Closes to students 2 weeks after end date
•Class Remains Open to instructor for 1 year past end date
•Classes are deleted from the server after 2 years*
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Library Services: e-Reserves
Cline Library creates your reserve readings
They can also digitize videos* for web delivery
Reserves can be re-used from one semester to the next.
*Digitizing takes time; get your requests in early!
Your photocopier/scanner can also make PDFs
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Course Content: If you build it…
A. Web pages are best; universal, readable online
• Use Bb Learn’s easy internal HTML editor
• Paste text from Word with the “Mashup” tool
• Images must be added one by one
• Can also embed animations, videos
• We no longer recommend DreamWeaver
B. PDF is 2nd best (portable document format)
• Good for printing (course handouts, e-Reserves)
• Images are embedded in the document
• Requires Acrobat Reader (free from Adobe.com)
• File must be downloaded for viewing
• Harder to make changes to the document
• Sometimes accessibility issues
C. Microsoft Office is 3rd best (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Requires Microsoft Office (not free**)
• File must be downloaded for viewing*
• Files may or may not open automatically
• Some version/compatibility problems
*Windows users with Internet Explorer can view
**OpenOffice and GoogleDocs are free alternatives
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Universal Design & Universal Access
Why it’s important:
• It’s the law
• We shouldn’t exclude anyone
• Good design helps everyone
Student must, in advance:
• disclose disability
• request an accommodation
Faculty support resources:
• Contact ELC
• Contact Disability Resources
Common fixes:
• Text transcripts for videos
• ALT tags or LONGDESC tags for images
• Need for extra time on assignment
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Course Content: Adopt it?
eContent is available from many publishers
Many have content that works with Blackboard
Using pre-built content frees the instructor from having
to “write the textbook.”
Instructors still have choice of which content to use,
and can still supplement with their own materials
Easier for new hires, part-timers, first time online
instructors
Faculty can focus on the learning activities and
interaction with the students
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ELC Services: Training & Tutorials
Synchronous (real time)
• In-person (at ELC or your Mountain Campus location)
• Via Elluminate (delivered live online)
Asynchronous (self-paced)
Guided
• Bb Learn Online
Self-help
• Bb Learn Videos
• Step-by-step Tutorials
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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ELC Services: Faculty Consultation
http://www.nau.edu/elc
• Instructional Technologists (6)
• Instructional Designers (2)
• Assessment Specialist (1)
• Graphic Designers (3)
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ELC Services: Faculty Tech Support
http://www.nau.edu/elc
Support during regular business hours
Extended hours during peak periods
Phone:
• 1-928-523-5554 (in Flagstaff)
• 1-866-802-5256 (toll free)
e-mail:
• [email protected]
Support when ELC is closed
• Browse our online FAQ and tutorials
• Use Learn’s built-in, context sensitive help
• Call the STC for emergencies
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Student Technology Center
http://www.nau.edu/stc
24/7 during Fall and Spring
Phone:
• 1-928-523-9294 (in Flagstaff)
• 1-888-520-8215 (toll free)
e-mail:
• [email protected]
Focus on your teaching
Avoid doing tech support for your students
Refer all student tech support to STC!
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Ready to jump into the sandbox?
http://bblearn.nau.edu
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Questions?
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How is your course designed?
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Benefits of an online component
• A way to compensate for absences
• A repository for handouts
• A media repository (video, audio)
• A way to prepare students for next class
• Assignments due
• Today’s readings
• Today’s topics
• A way for students to review material
• Course reserves
• Practice problems and self-tests
• Links to relevant websites
• A way for students to monitor progress
• Gradebook
• A way to help students stay organized
• Announcements
• Calendar
• A way to reduce copy costs and save trees
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Legal Issues and Online Classes
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Accessibility
FERPA
Academic Integrity
Intellectual Property
Seeking Permission
Copyright Law
Educational Fair Use
The Teach Act
Other Issues and Online Classes
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Teaching & Learning Effectiveness
Course Quality
Course Consistency
Course Standards
Part-time Instructors
Class sizes
Teaching Assistants
Stipends
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Got Dreamweaver? *
Take our training and get a free copy!
Create cleaner, leaner HTML
Create more accessible HTML
Use WebDAV to sync with the LMS
Use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
Maintain your content outside the LMS
• Download your copy
* Subject to eligibility requirements
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Questions?