Brian Snee
"Information Technology Applications 1 - was chosen, unfortunately the content I hope to produce changes weekly."
"Dundee College recently implemented the Blackboard 5 e-Learning software platform; this offers lecturers a robust set of tools, functions and features for teaching. Part of the implementation is to establish a training programme - initially for eight staff to act as 'Blackboard Champions'. The Map2Learn project came along at the same time, perhaps this could be a useful exercise to incorporate and disseminate any information acquired through JISC - to staff using Blackboard in the production of on-line learning materials.
Deciding on a subject became very challenging; plenty of subject information and e-learning courses are available over the Internet for a range of computing courses. Information Technology Applications 1 - was chosen, unfortunately the content I hope to produce changes weekly.
This unit is offered as a core at HNC Level across all subjects and many more mature students are entering Further Education without basic IT skills, a 'chicken and egg' situation exists for these students, how can we enhance their learning using on-line materials if they find difficulty getting on-line.
On reflection my initial thoughts to produce materials for a complete unit were very optimistic considering the time scale. Producing an on-line learning guide may be a possible solution.
Using Mindmanager and Smartgroups has been very encouraging. I have introduced and demonstrated these to our 'Blackboard Champions', with a very positive response; the college is now interested in the purchase of a licence for this product. I look forward to discovering further techniques and solutions offered by the group involved in this project".
Brian Snee, Team Leader IT Projects, Lecturer in Computing (Dundee College).
