A Rant From the Physical World...

Something Old. Something New.

It seems Faculty do not feel Blackboard is doing any good these days. I should emphasize that this is not all faculty...Just a few; those that yell the loudest. While I am not the biggest fan of Blackboard, I do know that all systems will have flaws. Whatever comes next will have its own issues. Does one go with the devil they know and with the devil they don't know. 

 So, as I speak, someone out there is getting a group together to research new LMS designs. It seems (even though stated support is lacking) that IT and TeLS need to be a part of this "committee" to research designs. Why would you invite those you feel provide no support to be on a committee? This just does not make sense to me. I know do not want on this committee. I'll be happy to test anything that comes my way...Just don't place me on this committee. If this is what Faculty wants to do, then Faculty need to do the research on e-Learning. 

 I am not trying to be negative and/or disrespectful. I am the first person to tell you that Blackboard is STUPID.  It can only do what you tell it to do. Maybe, before going out, we should be able to try the full version of this application instead of the bits and pieces we have now.  All we have is a hodgepodge of building blocks that no one really knows what to do with...and who controls this? Did Faculty choose what options to have in Blackboard? Should people supporting the product have to use it? Should people supporting the product understand the end result? 

 So now that I have ranted my considered opinion, I feel it necessary to follow up with how excited I am to see something new come into the mix. Do you know what this means?! 

  ALL COURSES WILL HAVE TO START FRESH. NO COPY TO THE NEW SYSTEM. 

 I am so happy about this that my feet start doing that happy dance. All those people who copy, copy, copy, copy, and copy won't be able to. 

 You know, in my many years with Higher Education, I have tried many products. Some were easier to use than others. Some had archaic components. Some had high prices tags. Some had FREE versions to offer. What I know about each of these, is that they had flaws. Each one of them. What it comes down to is how they are used. If you just want a repository to store stuff in, then get one. If you want to create courses that have interaction, excitement, and maintain student's attention, learn how to use a product well...Whatever that product is. 

 I look forward to seeing a new system in the near future.