Background
The Team
Dr Delene HeukelmanROLE: Course Designer
Subashnie SoobramoneyROLE: Blackboard Classroom Designer
Background
What is Computer Skills about?
Basic computing , Word, Excel, Powerpoint
Servicing Applied Sciences, Health and Engineering
6 months duration offered bi-annually
400 – 700 students per semester
Total of 55 lecture periods/week needing staff
allocation.
Background
What are our Challenges?Resources – Labs, Staff
Different skills levels of students
Ensuring a uniform standard of teaching
Testing/ marking
Capturing of marks
Communication
Pathfinder
How did Blackboard help?• Communication
• Address different skills levels of students- more
learner centred
• Uniform standard of teaching
• Videos and presentations allow for students to
follow while listening.
• Online Assessments
Pathfinder
What Challenges did Blackboard bring?
• NON Believers
• First year student’s access and enrolment
• Batch enrolment of first year students
• Late Registrations
• Online Assessments and network dependance
Shortfalls
Blackboard Scalability Issues?
• Small scale testing works well
• Infrastructure becomes more volatile as the
numbers increase.
• DUT is currently dedicated to
upgrade Blackboard
infrastructure and Blackboard
services - 2016
Student
LecturerBlackboard
ITSRegistration
Confirmation of e-classroom enrolment
Notification of student added
Submit student details for auto-enrollment
Auto Enrollment
Student
LecturerBlackboard
ITS
Student completes assessment
Creates assessment
Gradebook uploaded
Online Assessments
MYITLAB
Selects assessment
Assessment generated
Auto graded
MYITLAB
• Online Classroom • Licences per student• Dedicated e-book of your choice• Generates tests• Grades tests
• Student feedback indicated that students enjoyed the package and the testing mechanisms
The Good
Learning Experienc
es
• Integration with blackboard - 6 weeks prior to beginning the
course.
• Enrolment is done by Pearson. Password settings also Pearson
• Late registration - delay
• Simulator testing environment very specific
• Overall pass rate was maintained compared to previous
semesters with this group of students.
MYITLAB
Going Forward
• Auto Enrolment – huge time saving• Pearson MYITLAB for GEN-ED ICT
module• Best Practice