Using Blackboard Communities for Student Government Elections and Orientation Presented by John Fritz & Bob Armstrong April 14, 2005

Copyright © UMBC Session Objectives Describe the UMBC Student Election Process Introduce the UMBC New Student Orientation Community Introduce the UMBC Online Placement Tests Pilot Program

Copyright © UMBC Overview Session Objectives –Using communities effectively –Problem-solving with stakeholders Innovation –Using surveys for election ballots –Using assessments for placement exams Results/Outcomes –Highest student voter turnout ever –Eliminated extra trips for out-of-state students

Copyright © UMBC About UMBC Founded in 1966 “Research extensive university” Carnegie classification 11,852 Students –9,668 undergrad, 2,184 grad 949 Faculty –657 FT, 292 PT Selected Brags –One of 50 Best Colleges for Women –1 st in undergrad chemistry degrees awarded to African Americans –Six-time National College Chess Champions

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7 UMBC Blackboard Growth

Copyright © UMBC UMBC Learning System Version As of Spring 2005 –600 Courses (per semester) –420 Faculty –225 Communities Includes all student, faculty and staff senates Staff: –1 Server Admin –2 FTE (Admin & Support) –1 PT GA

Student Government Elections

Copyright © UMBC Problem Historically low voter turnout Desire for easy, secure voting Homegrown online ballot process kept changing No time or resources to build or buy (and integrate) stand-alone process.

Copyright © UMBC Solution Enroll all eligible voters in a single Bb community Use anonymous survey as the “ballot” “Voters” are told they can vote more than once, but only their last vote is recorded. Election was conducted over a five-day period. Student government can monitor who voted, but not who they voted for. Summary analysis can be printed as.pdf file and posted.

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Copyright © UMBC Results More than 2,000 students voted in the election, the SGA’s highest voter turnout ever. Other elections on Bb: –Honors Student Association –Professional Staff Senate –Graduate Council of Faculty –Greek organizations –Departmental “Teacher of the Year” nominations

Copyright © UMBC Issues Scale of Use –Bb doesn’t test for site enrollments > 1,000. –We couldn’t get results until three days after the election. What’s a Vote? –Bb shows results as percentage of all votes cast, not raw votes (version 6.x “download results” helps). Training & Support –Once voters start the ballot, they must finish –Can’t minimize screen, hit “back” button, etc.

Copyright © UMBC Next Steps SGA Election set for April 25-27, 2005 (nearly 10k users) Staff Senate Election set for early May (500 users). Graduate Council of Faculty just completed its elections (400 users)

Copyright © UMBC Recommendations Don’t try this on anything but version 6.3 –We upgraded hardware & software in 2004 –We still can’t get results (Spring 2005 User Survey) Bb can (and will) through beta version of App Pack 3 Start with small elections Perhaps wait for Bb assessment initiative. Build Election “sites” outside of Bb –Sample ballot & candidate bios

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Copyright © UMBC New Student Orientation

Copyright © UMBC Orientation Community Goals Create a place to communicate & interact with incoming students Supplement summer student orientation Initial content: course syllabi, orientation resources, announcements, etc. Provide an early exposure to Bb Help students get prepared for placement tests Orientation Evaluations Postings for Study Groups

Copyright © UMBC Community Building Process Initial meetings with Admissions staff to create goals Bb staff created prototype with limited content Tested prototype with student staff Expanded content to include discussion areas for feedback & link to chats Admissions staff trained to administer the community Eventual Student Enrollment

Copyright © UMBC Instructions sent to students Students create UMBC user ID/PW Admissions generates an enrollment list Bb admins batch enroll the students Bb staff presentations at the on-campus orientation sessions Encouraged the use of evaluations Student Process

Copyright © UMBC Participation 2,180 students enrolled (FA2004 semester) 270 responses to freshman evaluation 134 responses to transfer evaluation 60 posts to the new book forum 2 posts on the study group forum

Copyright © UMBC Recommendations Focus on good Bb communication techniques Improve the current process Provide incentives to users Test your ideas with existing students Train support staff to take over

Copyright © UMBC Online Placement Tests

Copyright © UMBC Why Online Tests? Convenient for out-of-state students Savings in staff time More time for other things on orientation days Immediate results on tests Easy to print essays for readers

Copyright © UMBC Initial meetings with Math/English to present options Generated assessments and designed community Initial testing with student staff Refined instructions & admin process Tested a group of 250 students this Winter Modified instructions to include computer requirements Next pilot end of April Building Process

Copyright © UMBC Community Design

Copyright © UMBC Challenges Getting buy-in from English/Math Depts. Enrolling students (self-enroll vs. batch?) Creating an easy-to-use site for first time users Eliminating copy/paste/print of exams Printing English Writing tests to be read by staff Limitations of the assessment timer Technical support

Copyright © UMBC Student Comments “I liked that it was online and I was able to take it when it was convenient.” “Finally, the ability to receive math scores immediately after completing the test. Very convenient.” “I liked that I could type on the computer and that I would not have had to come all the way to UMBC to complete the test. I find that I can write better and faster on the computer.” “I was given creative freedom...I sit in front of a computer and contemplate on ideas when I'm writing the average term paper. Taking this exam felt natural.”

Copyright © UMBC Recommendations Test, test, and test some more. Make sure all parties aware of the limitations Promote Bb’s ease of use & instant grading etc. Anticipate potential support issue

Copyright © UMBC Questions & Comments?? Presentation online:

Copyright © UMBC Contact Us!! John Fritz Director, UMBC New Media Learning & Development Bob Armstrong Instructional Designer – Primary Bb Support, UMBC New Media Learning & Development