Using Blackboard as a Tool to Teach Online Technology Skills in College Classrooms Dr. Victoria Haddad Adjunct Professor, College of Technology Wilmington University

Agenda 2 Introduction What is Online Technology Skills? What is Blackboard Learning Management Software? Using Blackboard to Communicate Online Blackboard Collaborate Blackboard Training Tools Create Academic Persona Blackboard Connect Why? Online Technology Skills and the Job Market Online Technology Skills and Education Changes Summary Questions

3 Introduction Some of the information in this presentation was taken from a multiple- case study that was conducted for my dissertation in The main focus of the multiple-case study was to investigate Faculty Members’ Perspectives of Teaching Online Technology Skills in the College Classrooms: The study findings shows that although human interaction is still a large part of the job market process, online technology skills have changed the way businesses are interacting. The study findings also reveled that one way to ensure that students are prepare for education and job market changes is to teach them online technology skills in the classroom using learning management tool such as Blackboard.

4 What is Online Technology Skills? Online technology skills are Internet technology skills that are available and usable through the web; such as podcasting, online presentation skills, Online communication skills, and online collaboration skills (Gomez, 2010). Have a working knowledge of online presentation software and their functions, including basic navigation The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively online Have a working knowledge to find information on the Web Download and upload files and images from a Web page

5 What is Blackboard Learning Management Software? Blackboard is a new way to teach and learn online. One that puts learners at the center, while making it easy for faculty to foster learning. It provide the online technology skills and support to meet the changing needs of students (blackboard.com) Blackboard allows students the ability to connect with professors, classmates, and global network of learners. Collaborate on projects and in study groups. Contribute to discussions postings and blogs. Create academic persona. A visual way for students to tell their story to peers, professors, and employers. Show off their skills and experience. Connect with learning network. Learn together and connect with others with social tools. Blackboard can be use as a training tool to provide indebt training.

6 Using Blackboard to Communicate Online Blackboard provides the most powerful and dependable notification system on the market. Whether you're sending crisis communication or routine information, you can have the confidence that your messages will be received.

7 Blackboard Collaborate Blackboard Collaborate is a live web conferencing and virtual classroom platform that allows staff and students to communicate using a real-time learning space. Features include: two- way audio, multipoint video, interactive whiteboard, application sharing, web tour, polling and session recording.

8 Blackboard Training Tools Make your training more practical, participant-oriented, and energized. Our flexible platform training options run the gamut from in person and online courses, and custom materials to give your team the time and tools to better do what they do best.

9 Create Academic Persona You can request that portfolios be submitted for course assignments. On the Create Assignment page, expand Submission Details and click Portfolio Submission. Optionally, choose a template students should use in their portfolio submissions. Portfolios are an invaluable tool in academic and professional development. They provide a powerful medium for users to efficiently collect and organize artifacts representative of work completed over time.

Blackboard Connect Blackboard Connect has many different features, such as: Option to select pre-recorded messages to send to contacts Ability to send communication to groups or to individuals It provides a message log for easy retrieval of messages and for data analysis Messages can be translated into 1 of 22 languages It provides repeat-calling without the educator waiting on the line Blackboard Connect is a useful tool for educators in the virtual field. It not only allows educators to communicate quickly with students, parents and other teachers, but it also frees educators to do their job, reaching and teaching students. 10

11 Why is it so Important For Educators to use Blackboard as a Tool to Teach Online Technology in The College Classrooms? Students are not entering the workforce with adequate online technology skills Demands for online technology skills are increasing both in education and the job market arenas Companies are hiring more remote workers than in previous decades Employers are finding that college students are poorly prepare when its comes to communication and collaborating online.

12 Students Need to Learn Online Technology Skills for Education and Job Market Changes

13 Online Technology Skills and the Job Market Business Growth Depend on Online Technology Skills: Online technology helps businesses reach a wider customer base and increase their level of satisfactions Online technology is very important in helping to improves collaboration and effectiveness in the workplace. Online technology also improves interactions among clients and business partners through multiple online technology channels almost immediately (Scott & Media, 2013).

14 Online Technology Skills and Education Changes Teaching online technology skills in the classroom will provide students with the opportunity to work with other students around the world while still being in the classroom (Donnelly, 2010). It will give educators with an opportunity for full and active flexibility of using some or all of the features in the media to encourage access to the information in real time It has made a great impact on society and education and has brought information and learning that would not otherwise be possible into students' lives. Advances in online technology in the classroom, knowledge of computers, and the use of software programs are making students enthusiastic about learning (Donnelly, 2010). Teaching online technology skills in the classroom will promotes effectiveness in student with difference learning styles.

15 Summary: Students should have the opportunity to connect learning with real life experience in an inclusive environment. Education and job market arenas need online technology skills Major tool use to teach online technology skills are Blackboard course management tools, online

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