Background

The Team

Dr Delene HeukelmanROLE: Course Designer

Subashnie SoobramoneyROLE: Blackboard Classroom Designer

Computer Skills 1 Pathfinder Project

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

ESKOM

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