Today I did grading for my two classes I am teaching in WebCT. I arrange my course into a sequence of units, each due every two weeks. Each unit has four or five elements.
I like to see how a student does in each unit, so I create a calculated column in WebCT that adds up all of components of the unit. I then sort the students by their scores in the Unit. For those students who did not participate at all, I deny their access to the class. That way they have to contact me and I can warn them that they need to step up the pace. I have also set up WebCT to hide those students who have their access denied. That way I can see the 50% of the class that is remaining instead of a bunch of students that dropped weeks ago.
I also warn students who have scored poorly in a unit. I even keep track of who has been warned in WebCT by creating a text column and writing notes to myself in the column.
None of these things can be done in the current version of Blackboard. I cannot create calculated columns. I cannot deny access. I cannot hide students. I cannot leave myself notes.
At least Blackboard will be integrated with the new MIS system.
Hi Adam,
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth (I haven't taught online yet but I was at the Blackboard Demo last week), we will not be getting the current version of Blackboard. While you can question the legitimacy of the company's claim, as none of us have test driven the newest version of Blackboard (I believe it is Version 7.3), it is supposed to replace the worst aspects of Blackboard (i.e. grade book) with the best aspects of Web CT.
We're stuck with Blackboard regardless though, as WebCT will cease to be fairly soon. Aren't monopolies great? I know I love having one cable company to choose from and Microsoft dominating the PC world:)
Colin
Detailed account of Division meeting to the best of my memory:
ReplyDeleteI started my representation with showing the announcement page. Next I explained the major differences.
1) No choice with custom buttons.
2) No internal email system.
3) an inferior grade-book in the older version
Regarding weakness one, nobody cared.
Regarding weakness two, I was surprised to hear that some faculty dislike the internal email system in Web CT. They want their email in their outlook mailbox.
Regarding weakness 3, Rio hondo will get version 7.3 which will be superior to the grade book in the current version. This new grade book will debut by the end of this month.
Version 7.3 incorporates all of the strong points of Web CT.
The faculty present were impressed by the announcement page and ease of use. They were also impressed by the discussion board grading. Queen R. discussed how the U.C. and CSU system use the system and it will familiarize our students with the system before they transfer.
Mr. T (philosopher) asked about Web CT 6 and I admitted my lack of experience with this platform.I told them about our option with Web CT 6 and I told them about the end of our contract in 2009. Someone in the back asked if there is any course conversion involved with Web CT 6. I answered yes. This brought up the question of having to convert to Web CT 6 and later in 2009 converting again. They did not like this!
They seemed to prefer making only one conversion.
I told them about the other option Angel, and again admitted my lack experience with this system.
Mellisa, conveyed Jim's report to the Academic Senate regarding the cost of conversion software needed with Angel and how Jim is trying to get Blackboard at a lower price now rather at a higher price when our contract runs out.
Finally, someone made the motion to support the move to blackboard and it passed unanimously.
After the meeting I found out that a few of the newer faculty in the division have used Blackboard at their previous schools. And they seem to like blackboard better.