1. Using Blackboard for blended learning Delivering the Geography curriculum at Kingston College
This talk will give an overview of the assessment features of Blackboard. Grading is covered in a separate Netskills training module – "Blackboard 6: Student Management, Grading and Other Issues".
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Blackboard Regional User Group
Transforming Institutions – Transforming Learning

2. Outline Blackboard and curriculum delivery
Kingston College implementation of the Blackboard virtual learning
environment to promote learning and teaching in A-level Geography
Blackboard and curriculum delivery
Advantages and disadvantages
Why use Blackboard for A-level Geography?
Teaching geography online
Key functions and their applications
Evaluating online delivery
Lessons for the future

3. Blackboard and A-level Geography
A range of functions…
Learning materials
Multimedia delivery
Assessment
Communication & collaboration
Tracking, monitoring and user management
Blackboard implemented at Kingston College in 2001
Key component of ILT strategy
Still exploring most productive use!

4. Why use Blackboard? Advantages
Provides a suite of integrated tools for enhancing learning
Provides balance between ease of use and flexibility
Simple to create and publish content
Supports students working at their own, place, time and pace
(Relatively) easy to create interactive learning resources
Consistent interface
Supports a range of teaching & learning methods
Disadvantages
Not all students have access to networked PCs
Preparing and delivering VLE-based learning activities takes time
Designing high-quality e-learning resources and activities is difficult
Students take a while to adjust to new ways of working
Online technology does not, in itself, lead to effective learning or teaching

5. Why use Blackboard in A-level Geography?
Engage students and stimulate learning
Caters for a range of learning styles
Provides structure and coherence
Multi-sensory and interactive opportunities
Decision made to step-up application of Blackboard from a supplementary to a focal resource for and further
Extend this Heavy use during

6. Teaching geography online
AQA A-Level Specification A
A2 component
Replaced a single 1 hour session each week
Students required to spend 2 hours online
Support…
Induction and review sessions
Fieldwork
Documentation

7. Organising the course Discussion forums
Main areas for learning content
Discussion forums
Links to gradebook, glossary etc
Weekly online lesson link
Induction activities etc

9. Accessing the materials
Interactive scheme or work
Announcements
Tasks
How-to guide…

10. Using Blackboard Key functions Announcements Text Images Web links
Tasks
Learning Units
Content packages
Multimedia
Tests
Surveys
Discussion Board
Assignments

13. Discussion Board

14. Tests and assignments

15. Evaluating online delivery
What worked well
Greater flexibility for students and staff
Framework for learning
Short self-contained activities
Re-use of the materials
What worked less well
Technical problems
Navigation
Superficial engagement of some students
Type of interaction
Feedback

16. The future of Geography online?
There is a role for e-learning with year olds
As a supplement to face-to-face lessons
New opportunities are provided
Geography can benefit from these
Students need lots of guidance, support and encouragements
Don’t make assumptions about skills
High quality materials and presentation are critical
Technical developments will encourage greater efficiency, versatility and interaction