Posters and Slides from the 2011 Blackboard World Conference

At the Blackboard World conference in July 2011, several of the e-Learning Center’s staff, along with other Northern Arizona University colleagues, gave poster sessions or presentations that were well received and generated a lot of interest among conference attendees. By request, we’re making the posters available in a downloadable size (17 x 11 inches, .pdf). Click on each small poster image below to see the larger .pdf version. The posters were created by the e-Learning Center’s Creative Design Group. PowerPoint slides (.pptx) are also available for one presentation.

Listening to Student Voices: Assessing and Responding to Students’ Experiences with Blackboard Learn

A poster session by Dr. Sue Pieper, Coordinator of Assessment,
and Don Carter, Director

Last year, as part of a pilot project in which Northern Arizona University investigated Blackboard Learn for possible adoption as the university’s learning management system, we surveyed our students, asking them about their experiences in using Blackboard Learn in the pilot courses. The results of that survey are summarized on the poster along with recommendations for Blackboard and for other institutions that are considering using Blackboard Learn.

Complete survey results are available in the full research report.

View the poster (17″ x 11″ .pdf).

The Pedagogical Opportunities of Mobile Technologies: iPads and Kindles in the Classroom

A poster session by Dr. John Doherty, Instructional Designer,
and Kevin Ketchner, Librarian, Cline Library

With mobile devices beginning to enter the classroom, students are only two finger-swipes away from the game Angry Birds Rio, or YouTube, or any number of other popular diversions. Ketchner and Doherty describe how to use mobile apps and tools in ways that engage students in class and encourage student interaction with peers, instructors, and content. They provide examples of appropriate and effective choices that can enhance learning.

View the poster (17″ x 11″ .pdf).

(R)eflective Learning: The Experience of Journaling from Campus Edition to Bb Learn

A poster session by Dr. John Doherty, Instructional Designer,
and Kevin Ketchner, Librarian, Cline Library

This poster is organized around Dee Fink’s Creating Significant Learning Experiences (Jossey-Bass, 2003). Ketchner and Doherty deconstruct Fink’s model, presenting an application and example of how online journaling can enhance students’ critical
reflection, self-reflection, thinking, and metacognition. They contend that reflective learning through journaling leads to insight and significant learning experiences for students.

View the poster (17″ x 11″ .pdf).

From Vista 8 to Blackboard Learn 9.1— Lessons
Learned and Tips for Success

A presentation by Dan Stoffel, Assistant Director,
and Erin Shelley, Blackboard Learn System Administrator

Northern Arizona University has just made the transition from Blackboard Vista 8 (formerly WebCT Vista) to Blackboard Learn 9.1. The process of moving to a new learning management system includes the migration of nearly 2000 courses from the old system to the new. This presentation describes NAU’s course migration process and suggests strategies for other institutions who are following a similar path.

Download the PowerPoint slides (.pptx).

Pedagogy and Online Learning: Training Users on Backward Design

A presentation by Dr. John Doherty, Instructional Designer,
and Wally Nolan, Instructional Designer

The design and development of online content is sometimes too focused on the learning management system rather than on students’ learning. The backward design approach, described well in Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe (Pearson, 2006), helps instructors begin with the end—learning—in mind. This presentation described self-paced online tutorials that guide instructors and course creators to align their learning objectives, assessments, and learning activities independent of a learning management system.