Job Discussion Forums

[littleoldlady]

Does anyone have experience of using Blackboard technology for teaching? If so, is it easy to use and how is it used in the classroom please?

[bhoove]

My favorite feature of the Smart Boards are the maps. Imagine a giant computer touch screen that you can "write" on with special markers, or even your finger.

Smartboards are fun, and there are game templates (like for jeopardy) that kids get excited about.

The software can be confusing, but if you find a few applications that work for you it simplifies things.

I think they're easier to use than most other teacher software

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

There seems to be confusion between these two posts. The OP is asking about "blackboard technology" whilst in the midst of purchasing chalk. The current version of "blackboard technology" is referred to as "Blackboard Vista". This is a way to deliver content to Ss via the intra/internet. I like to use it for individuaol student-directed teaching and the ability to roam the room to help out those who are actually using it (Not those who think that I am stupid enuf to NOT know that they just minimized the chat window and are pretending to be on task!).

It's not difficult to use. You jes' log on and navigate to the skill set that is to be focused on.

The Smart Board that bhoove mentioned is one method of displaying and interacting with information usually on a group basis. Be careful, bhoove, many are leaving the Smart Board and going to the more-capable Promethean Board which cannot be manipulated by touch (a real drawback IMHO).

So, altho you are both talking about current technology, they are very different in delivery, manipulation, and usage.

NCTBA

[Stephen Jones]

I absolutely detest Blackboard. To make things worse I'll probably have to give a training course on it in September or October.

It is a useful way of letting your students have access to material, but frankly a shared folder, or a web site created in Front Page would do the job just as well.

[littleoldlady]

The chalk - for those who didn't pick up on my facetiousness is for my hopscotch not the blackboard ( even though when I trained that was the most sophisticated thing in the classroom).

However NCTBA et al, I know ABOUT vista but I don't know how to use it and it seems terribly complicated for the littleoldlady's brain. How much technological wizardry do you need to know in advance???

Do you use it in the classroom itself for teaching purposes is what I really would like to know cos if so it's freaking me out.........

[veiledsentiments]

It actually depends on what you are teaching. I have watched demonstrations on some of these, and to be honest, can't see how that they would add much of anything to the subjects that I teach.

On the helpful side for you... since new teachers will be arriving early... while the students will likely not be around until after Eid... you will have plenty of time to learn whatever system your new employer has. And you can see how and if it will be useful to you.

If you can use a computer and the net, I don't see any insurmountable challenge here... even for the average littleoldladies... not that there is anything average about us.

VS

[freesoul]

BTW, Blackboard is something completely different from interactive whiteborad ( or smart boards)

[littleoldlady]

I use a Smartboard now in my business training stuff. Love it.
Blackboard is used now by UK universities.Honestly my daughter doesn't even have to get out of bed!

[MrScaramanga]

I used Blackboard at one of my jobs and found it quite cumbersome... and not so snazzy and useful that you'd actually want to put up with it

Smart boards are another story altogether: they are fun and can jazz up a lesson in useful ways.

MrS

[homeless vet]

Blackboard is a good way to post powerpoints from lectures or require students to submit assignments/papers to so they can be checked for plagiarism through Turnitin or other such software. Of course, if universities in the UAE are anything like the universities in China, they don't much like faculty taking an active role in discovering/punishing plagiarism.

[Afra]

HCT moved from Turnitin to SafeAssign last year. Students are encourage to use it to check levels of plagiarism before submitting final drafts through SafeAssign. Teachers are expected to deal with plagiarism issues and there are procedures in place.

[Afra]

What has become more of a problem recently is the use of translation software. Students use it without checking the absurd English it produces.