It is quite of an understatement to say most students do not like blackboard. There is even a Death to Blackboard-page on Facebook (yes, seriously!) and when you google for 'blackboard frustrations' you'll find a document written by the University of Hartford called: 'Strategies for Faculty to Forestall Student Complaints and Frustrations with Blackboard'. Seeing this document I was wondering, why people put so much effort in using a program that's so hard to work with. Everybody seems to have some difficulties with blackboard and the study guide: finding deadlines, enrolling for courses, choose which courses to follow in the next semester, sign up for exams, setting the week schedule and so on. Luckily in my first week at the University I had a special course in which we learned how to use blackboard, but I was wondering why there should even be a course like that. I think a program that you have to use on daily basis should be naturally to use, since the intention of the program is to make the life of students and teachers easier.
Thus, when we had to choose a topic for our User Interface Design project, we immediately thought of improving blackboard, but then in a totally different way. We is by the way: Elsa Jonkers, Jamie van den Eijnden, Eline Jansen, Evelyn van Kelle and me. For this course we will not be redesigning blackboard, but we will be designing a Tilburg University App for iPhone, iPod, iPad, Blackberry and Android. This app will contain a personal agenda with personal courses, all important deadlines, options to choose new courses and minors, enroll and sign up for courses and more easy-to-use functions. We want to design a timesaving and more fun way for students to organize everything concerning their study.
Therefore I would like to know from you: what are you biggest frustrations with blackboard, what functions you think are hard to use and what options would you like to see within an app? Please post your comment on this blog, since that will really help us designing our app. And maybe sharing it, will even help you to get rid of your pent frustrations. Off course I will keep you updated about the project via twitter and my blog.
By the way, within three days the new version of Blackboard, Learn 9.1, will be launched at our University. So, let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best!
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5 comments to "Usability, or the lack of it, on Blackboard"
About Me
- Saskia Kanters
- Student Business Communication and Digital Media @ Tilburg University
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Margot says:
I think this is a very good point: "I think a program that you have to use on daily basis should be naturally to use"! Nice blog, I'm hoping to read more from you soon! :)
There already exists a schedule app for the UvT on Android and apple phones. But that's just the schedule, I would also like to be able to view my study results! I think you shouldn't make to many options, this is a case of "less is more". Just keep it simple and, like you said, it's important that it's easy to use, that it comes naturally. Good luck with it!
Anonymous says:
Whaha, I love your style of writing! Can't wait to read more.
What I think is annoying of BB is that every teacher drops their documents in a different way (course documents, course information, or under a new topic within course documens). I can never find the course overview and articles to read..
maud_nilsen says:
Some time ago, our faculty actually designed Bb guidelines, precisely so that everything would always be placed in the same directory and students wouldn't have to look for it. But try to enforce guidelines like that in practice - you'd need a Bb police :-)
Jeroen Kanters says:
Nice blog!
As says:
can't help you with this one....