The Blackboard Learning System: The Be All and End All in Educational Instruction?

Abstract

Blackboard Inc. provides powerful and easy-to-use systems for educational instruction, communication, and assessment. In the last three years, Blackboard Inc. has marketed two major product lines: the Blackboard Commerce Suite and the Blackboard Academic Suite. The core of the Academic suite is the Blackboard Learning System, the course management system for classroom and online educational assistance. Other course management systems and learning management systems exist, including Angel/LMS, eCollege, GNU General Public License/Linux, and LearningSpace, as well as open-source learning systems such as The Sakai Project, Open SourcePortfolio Initiative, Moodle, and uPortal. Despite the drive toward new portal commodities, the Blackboard Learning System has become the dominant e-learning software company. Is this necessarily good for higher educational learning? Members of the United University Professions Technology Issues Committee debate the issue as well as present specific applications of the Blackboard Learning System in distance learning, hybrid courses, and as didactic supplements to other electronic environment enhancement systems.

The Effect of Blackboard Collaborate-Based Instruction on Pre-service Teachers' Achievement in the EFL Teaching Methods Course at Faculties of Education for Girls

“…Accordingly, Blackboard-based instruction made learning less daunting and helped with revision before exams for the participants. These results provided empirical support for the studies which highlighted the increased accessibility and availability associated with Blackboard-based instruction as a key factor in improving EFL/ESL learners' achievement (Bradford et al, 2007;Heirdsfield et al, 2007;Heirdsfield et al,2 011;Prasad et al, 2013).…”

“…3; view and download course materials and other information and submit assignments online as soon as they are complete. That's why previous research (Bradford et al, 2007;Heirdsfield et al, 2007;Heirdsfield et al, 2011) indicates that it is the increased availability that most appeals to learners. For example, in a study conducted by Heirdsfield et al (2011), learners commented on the importance of having lecture notes available both before the lecture and whenever they were subsequently needed.…”

The Application of Blackboard in the English Courses at Al Jouf University: Perceptions of Students

“…It has capabilities for bringing in online elements to courses traditionally taught face-to-face and for introducing completely online courses with few or no face-to-face interaction sessions. Potential benefits of Blackboard Learning System, according to Bradford et al (2007), include 1) increased availability; 2) quick feedback; 3) improved communication; 4) tracking; and 5) skill building. Weighing up the pros and cons of the Blackboard Learn, Bradford et al (2007) state the following: "The Blackboard Learning System provides the opportunity for students to use the familiar environment of the Internet for educational purposes.…”

“…Potential benefits of Blackboard Learning System, according to Bradford et al (2007), include 1) increased availability; 2) quick feedback; 3) improved communication; 4) tracking; and 5) skill building. Weighing up the pros and cons of the Blackboard Learn, Bradford et al (2007) state the following: "The Blackboard Learning System provides the opportunity for students to use the familiar environment of the Internet for educational purposes. The argument is made here that the use of Blackboard as a curricular tool is good from the standpoints of both student learning and faculty instruction.…”

Digital Learning Environments

“…environment let students re-visit blog entries and videos for clarification and modeling purposes. The university's learning management system allowed smaller groups of students to discuss the content and concepts in a secure environment (Bradford et al 2007).…”