Baruch can improve on its use of blackboard. Blackboard is wonderful resource for both teachers and students but it’s not being used to its full potential. It allows you to track classes, plan your schedule, keep up with assignments, and communicate with teachers and others students.
Blackboard should be made a mandatory requirement for both teachers and students to learn and use. It should be reviewed at orientation and quick video guide would be helpful. A standard template should be used for course documents, assignments and discussion boards. The course documents and assignments are not always in chronological order and the format varies from class to class. Just like how we have standards for writing papers and organizing books in a library so too should there be a standard way of presenting information on blackboard.
Make lectures available in a variety of formats such as text, audio and video. Not everyone can make it to class all the time due to conflicting priorities. Also, since Baruch is a diverse college with students and teachers from around the world it’s sometimes difficult to understand the information being presented because of thick accents. Sometimes I can’t write fast enough to keep up with the teacher. Having the lecture notes available online allows me to review the content until it sinks in. Additionally, if blackboard was muli-lingual then students and teachers could read information in their own native language.
Focus on collaborative learning. Include team projects for every class just like how writing and communications is a standard requirement for every class. Educate students and teachers about collaborative learning. Online collaborative tools are essential for geographically dispersed teams to communicate and complete projects on time.
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