Spring Break
Professors turn to BlackBoard to maximize learning
David Raposa, Contributing Writer, draposa@smu.edu
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: News
This semester, Dedman College students may have noticed a vast increase in the use of BlackBoard Academic Suite for everything from homework to exams, and lately even teacher and course evaluations.
According to Information Technology Services, despite being a client of BlackBoard for years now, at the end of last semester, SMU decided to maximize BlackBoard's usability, while at the same time trying to slash the cost of copying and printing thousands of sheets of paper.
One professor who advocates the paradigm shift is Dr. Andrew Johnson from SMU's philosophy department.
"I think BlackBoard is a very handy tool," said Dr. Johnson, who has already noticed a decrease in time and money spent on student handouts and materials, and likes the possibilities BlackBoard gives for his courses down the road saying, "In the future, I may do away with textbooks altogether and simply post my preferred readings on BlackBoard."
Sociology professor Dr. Anthony Cortese understands the solutions BlackBoard provides benefit multiple parties.
"Through BlackBoard I've been able to make my courses 100 percent paperless," Cortese said. "Everything is on BlackBoard: a syllabus, handouts, exams, links, reading materials, lecture notes, etc., which saves a lot of time and money, as Dedman College is currently financially strapped."
He also points out that monitoring progress in the course is easier for the students also since they "always have access to all their grades and don't need to ask the professor."
More quizzes and exams taken online via BlackBoard allows professors to enter grades instantly as well as issuing tests with randomly assorted questions, thus ensuring the integrity of their students' work.
Meadows Dean Jose Antonio Bowen made the most of BlackBoard's applicability long before coming to SMU.
"I suppose someone might conclude that it cuts down on paper, but really it is all about increased learning," Bowen said.
According to Information Technology Services, despite being a client of BlackBoard for years now, at the end of last semester, SMU decided to maximize BlackBoard's usability, while at the same time trying to slash the cost of copying and printing thousands of sheets of paper.
One professor who advocates the paradigm shift is Dr. Andrew Johnson from SMU's philosophy department.
"I think BlackBoard is a very handy tool," said Dr. Johnson, who has already noticed a decrease in time and money spent on student handouts and materials, and likes the possibilities BlackBoard gives for his courses down the road saying, "In the future, I may do away with textbooks altogether and simply post my preferred readings on BlackBoard."
Sociology professor Dr. Anthony Cortese understands the solutions BlackBoard provides benefit multiple parties.
"Through BlackBoard I've been able to make my courses 100 percent paperless," Cortese said. "Everything is on BlackBoard: a syllabus, handouts, exams, links, reading materials, lecture notes, etc., which saves a lot of time and money, as Dedman College is currently financially strapped."
He also points out that monitoring progress in the course is easier for the students also since they "always have access to all their grades and don't need to ask the professor."
More quizzes and exams taken online via BlackBoard allows professors to enter grades instantly as well as issuing tests with randomly assorted questions, thus ensuring the integrity of their students' work.
Meadows Dean Jose Antonio Bowen made the most of BlackBoard's applicability long before coming to SMU.
"I suppose someone might conclude that it cuts down on paper, but really it is all about increased learning," Bowen said.
Be the first to comment on this story