Blackboard is the course management system of choice at Harper College. It provides Web space for course documents, PowerPoint slideshows, Web sites and other electronic materials specifically related to individual courses to be viewed and printed by students directly from any computer with an Internet connection.
Blackboard does not require any specialized technology skills. Faculty members who are comfortable using email and creating/saving electronic documents in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint find that getting their course materials into the Blackboard course shell is a relatively easy process. Because all Blackboard courses look similar, students find that navigating to locate course materials is becoming automatic as well.
Full-time and adjunct faculty are using Blackboard at Harper College. With almost 500 Blackboard course Web sites now set up, Blackboard is being used for:
- Department faculty shared areas for course material distribution
- Web-based support sites with course materials for on campus classes
- Teleweb courses
- Online courses
DoIT (Department of Instructional Technology) offers "Introduction to Blackboard" workshops both at scheduled times and on request throughout the year. Visit the Blackboard Workshop page to see which workshop fits your schedule or call 847.925.6719 to request an individual session.
DoIT provides technical support for both faculty and students who are using Blackboard. This support can be accessed by telephone, email, online form submission or by a scheduled individual visit to the DoIT office area. Student orientations to Blackboard use are scheduled at the beginning of each semester and can also be requested at other times as needed. Faculty workshops offered throughout the year include detailed information on use of specific areas of Blackboard as well.