Download - Extreme Blackboard Makeover

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Page 1: Extreme Blackboard Makeover

Fall eLearning InstituteRobert Gibson, Ed.D.

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Overview

Workshop Outcomes• Participants will…

• Understand basics of course color theory (10 min)• Understand application of visual enhancements (10 min)• Understand concepts of user navigation (15 min)• Understand legibility issues associated with course design (10 min)• Understand menu design and content hierarchy (15 min)• Understand principals of content scaffolding (10 min)• Understand when to use course tools and when to turn them off (15 min)• Understand course content options (10 min)• Understand techniques for managing user interaction (10 min)• Understand how to enhance the course with multimedia elements (15

min)

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Before and After

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Before and After

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Before and After

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Before and After

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Before and After

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Top Ten ThingsFaculty Should Know

1. All faculty need to use [Bb]; only a few instructors know how to use all features

2. Be organized: keep information current3. Use the grade book; students know where they stand and it

motivates them to do better4. Use calendar for all class activities and post assignment due

dates5. Keep us informed: use “message of the day” or an “alert” that

flags you when new information is posted6. Post exam reviews & lecture outlines; use voice-over

presentations; makes studying much easier

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Top Ten ThingsFaculty Should Know

7. Some articles in pdf format take too long to download; use alternative file format

8. Standardize where material is posted: every instructor does it differently and it is hard to find some material

9. Publish and un-publish modules as the class progresses; un-clutter the posted modules

10. Change the opening page routinely to add variety and post interesting web links to other related information

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Color Theory

Tip 1: Subtle colors are better than bright colors within the course, unless the bright colors are used for a specific purpose

Tip 2: Adhere to western color conventions • Red=risk or stop• Green=go or proceed; environmental• Blue=intellectual• Purple= regal• Yellow=caution or cheerful

Tip 3: Use good contrast between menu colors and text• Avoid complementary colors (R & G; O & B; Y & P)• Avoid colors of similar contrast• See: User Interface Design and Evaluation

Tip 4: Remember that many males are color blindTip 5: “Coordinate” banner and menu colors if possible

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Legibility

Tip 1: Dark text on a light background is easiest to readTip 2: Sans serif is easier to read than serifTip 3: 12 point text or larger - alwaysTip 4: Never use more than 3 fonts or 3 typefacesTip 5: Use colored fonts sparingly. If fonts are color-

coded for a reason, explain the codification schema and stay consistent

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Menu Navigation

Navigation optionsCustomizing your Blackboard Menu Creating a Discipline-

Specific Blackboard TemplateButtons vs. Text menus. Which is better?Blackboard’s hierarchical menu vs. simplified menuWhat course options should be on your menu?What order should menu items appear?Consider multi-language options

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Content Hierarchy

Tip 1: Label folders and files using a consistent taxonomyTip 2: Employ content nesting strategies to organize

informationTip 3: Provide availability dates where appropriateTip 4: Rotate content, keeping newest material toward

the topTip 5: Group similar materials and exercises together into

single foldersTip 6: Hide content until ready

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Scaffold Content

Scaffolding• Based on theoretical constructs developed by Vygotsky and his

concept of zones of proximal development. Also called active engagement vs. passive consumption

• Employing Vygotsky’s theory, content and activities should build on one another in meaningful patterns

• Blackboard activities should be released to students selectively. Once mastery has been achieved in one unit, the instructor releases content that builds on the first set of content. Use adaptive release or selectively released content strategies

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Course Tools

Tip 1: Turn off non-used toolsTip 2: Add the following content regardless of the format:• Faculty biographical sketch and complete contact information• Syllabus – including course objectives• Link to required textbooks or journal articles

Tip 3: Add small thumbnails of your texts

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Course Content

Uploading in native files is fine – IF all students have the requisite software• Make files available in two or more optional formats