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75 Reasons to Use Blackboard

   

Content

  1. To put unlimited additional resources in the hands of students
  2. To post course syllabus for easy access
  3. To add content and learning objects
  4. To link to library resources and databases
  5. To post daily news, quotes, words, trivia, etc.
  6. To provide classroom notes or study guides
  7. To provide supplementary reading material
  8. To create a virtual art gallery
  9. To post movie clips
  10. To post audio lectures
  11. To provide links to useful websites
  12. To allow students to read or listen to material repeatedly for understanding
  13. To provide students who must miss class with easy access to materials
  14. To include a glossary of course terminology

Communication

  1. To enhance student-to-student communication
  2. To enhance faculty-to-student contact
  3. To distribute email messages to students
  4. To encourage out of class discussion via discussion boards or chat rooms
  5. To provide online homework help (virtual office hours)
  6. To encourage collaborative learning
  7. To connect students with community leaders and outside experts
  8. To get 100% participation in class discussions
  9. To reach “shy” students and allow them to express their thoughts
  10. To provide opportunities for learning communities
  11. To share community events
  12. To set up groups for classes (large or small)
  13. To send specific emails to a subset (group) of students
  14. To facilitate group projects by allowing students to discuss particular topics or exchange certain files
  15. To remind students of important deadlines
  16. To share student ideas and projects
  17. To develop a mentoring system
  18. To collect student quotes
  19. To help students find study partners
  20. To assist in creating connections and inclusion
  21. To communicate expectations and objectives
  22. To provide advance organization for in-class discussion

Assessment

  1. To allow students to monitor their own progress
  2. To post assignments and allow students to submit work digitally
  3. To assess student progress with just-in-time methods
  4. To record, display, calculate, and analyze student scores
  5. To publish student writing
  6. To conduct student surveys for quick feedback
  7. To provide self-help or self-improvement quizzes
  8. To create drill and practice exercises
  9. To post extra credit work
  10. To post answers
  11. To give students immediate feedback on quizzes and assignments
  12. To keep students apprised of “how they are doing”
  13. To facilitate test review
  14. To measure student access to course materials and tools
  15. To develop formative and summative assessments
  16. To provide interactive activities
  17. To gauge student understanding and interests
  18. To eliminate time consuming exam grading
  19. To encourage reflective thinking
  20. To organize student papers electronically
  21. To promote peer editing for review and suggestions
  22. To gather suggestions from students for course improvements

Other

  1. To time control access to information by students
  2. To copy things from one place to another (within the same course or between courses)
  3. To provide continuous access to a student roster
  4. To reduce printing and copying costs
  5. To provide more time for classroom instruction and activities
  6. To encourage students to read their textbook
  7. To help students come to class prepared
  8. To put an end to the “lost papers” excuse
  9. To engage students with different learning styles
  10. To provide consistency in course structure
  11. To improve retention of course material
  12. To engage students outside of class
  13. To allow students to review lecture before or after class
  14. To meet student expectations
  15. To integrate technology into curriculum
  16. To provide 24x7 access to course materials—anytime, anywhere
  17. To make teaching and learning fun!

 

List created by Craig Gerdes, M. Ed.

Instructional Designer

University of Kansas

 

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Last Modified: 08/03/2005