Implementation of the Blackboard platform at the Technical University

of Lodz, success or defeat

Jan Grudziecki, PhD

The Technical University of Lodz is ranked in the top five Polish technical schools.

Approximately 21,000 students are currently studying at the University across 10 different technical faculties. Educational and scientific tasks of the University are run by about 2,500 staff members.

International Faculty of Engineering (IFE)

• IFE was founded in 1992 thanks to the co-operation of our University and Sydney University and with the support of Australian Embassy.

• IFE is the unit where all the courses are taught in English and

French • IFE students are both Polish and international students. Soon it

turned out that the studies became very popular

http://www.ife.p.lodz.pl

VLE Preliminary Investigation

Analysing

Planning

Implementation

Evaluation

System implementation model

Source: own elaboration based on http://asianvu.com/bookstoread/etp/elearning-p3model.pdf

VLE Preliminary Investigation

Theoretical Investigation:Moodle, Olat, Sakai (2008)

Source: own elaboration, on the basis of the Diploma Thesis

VLE Preliminary Investigation

Practical tests of:

• First Class (2005)• it’s Learning (2008)• Saba (2008)• Blackboard (2009)

Source: own elaboration

VLE Institutional Starting Points

Main factors taken into consideratarion when choosing the platform (staff, heads requirements):

• Servers installed locally• Privacy of data, stored locally• Local technicians must be involved• Local Computer Centre must be involved• Well known brand

Blackboard Implementation

Blackboard learn Release 9.1.60230.0 Products: Course Delivery, Community Engagement, Content Management, Outcomes Assessment

No of users: 2500License: 5 years

Blackboard Implementation

Blackboard used for blended learning,Basic tools: content publishing,Communication, annoucements, group tasks, collaboration, grade center

Blackboard Implementation

Blackboard Implementation

Source: own elaboration,

Blackboard CourseContent

Source: own elaboration, on the basis of the Diploma Thesis by A.Mastalerz

Blackboard Evaluation

Amount of technology preferred by IFE students in courses

Source: own elaboration, on the basis of the Diploma Thesis by A.Mastalerz

12.9%

49.4%

31.8%

5.9%

0% - 20%

21% - 40%

41% - 60%

61% - 80%

81% - 100%

Blackboard Evaluation

Amount of technology preferred by IFE students in coursesSource: own elaboration

Blackboard Evaluation

Courses more beneficial in a form of e-learning according to IFE instructorsSource: own elaboration, on the basis of the Diploma Thesis by A.Mastalerz

Physical sciences

Humanities

Education

Biological sciences

Fine arts

Engineering

Social sciences

Business

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

16.7%

16.7%

16.7%

16.7%

16.7%

33.3%

50.0%

83.3%

Percentage of instructors

Blackboard Evaluation

Frequency of Bb platform accessing by IFE students 2012Source: own elaboration

several times a month3%

once a week14%

several times a week54%

once a day20%

few times a day9%

Percentage of the students

Blackboard Evaluation

Difficulty level of IFE Bb platform usage according to studentsSource: own elaboration, on the basis of the Diploma Thesis by A.Mastalerz

Very easy Easy Moderate Hard Very hard0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

23.2%

43.9%

31.7%

1.2% 0.0%

Perc

enta

ge o

f stu

dent

s

Blackboard Evaluation

Difficulty level of IFE Bb platform usage according to studentsSource: own elaboration

Blackboard Evaluation

How satisfied are you with Bb platformSource: own elaboration, on the basis of the Diploma Thesis by A.Mastalerz

Extremely dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Extremely satisfied0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

0.0%

7.5%

28.7%

62.5%

1.3%

Perc

enta

ge o

f stu

dent

s

Blackboard Evaluation

Reasons of Bb platform entering by IFE instructorsSource: own elaboration, on the basis of the Diploma Thesis by A.Mastalerz

Non-education related

Administration

Work organization

Materials creation

Materials upload

Creation of exercises or tests

Informational purposes

Communication

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

0.0%

16.7%

16.7%

50.0%

50.0%

50.0%

66.7%

83.3%

Percentage of instructors

Blackboard Evaluation

Source: own elaboration,

Blackboard Further Development

Pros Cons

The staff actually knows what the VLE is

Bb is still not the campus platform

Platform tools were tested, presented

Sample contents have been created, presented

No unit which helps in the content creation

University regulations for e-learning have been prepared

Source: own elaboration,

Blackboard Further Development

Dziękuję za uwagę

= Thank you for your attention

jang@p.lodz.pl

www.ife.p.lodz.pl