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This summer's implementation of a new e-learning course management system at UTEP has pleased some faculty and students, but brought trepidation to others.
The transition from WebCT to Blackboard began with the migration of approximately 1,000 online courses this spring.
Mike Pitcher, faculty instructional technology lab director, said that the decision to migrate to Blackboard this summer was to allow time for faculty, staff and students to ease into the new system. Pitcher also said the transition began with online and hybrid courses.
"We are 80 percent done with the first transition group," Pitcher said. "We are starting with Web and hybrid classes because those are the ones that are marked in the system as solely dependent on Blackboard."
The implementation of Blackboard was due to Blackboard's purchase of WebCT in 2005. UTEP would have been unable to maintain an outdated learning system, plus the campus' license with WebCT will expire at the end of the summer.
"It made economically more sense to transition to Blackboard," Pitcher said. "The UT System was switching to Blackboard and so it made sense to align UTEP with that transition."
Some faculty members have been familiar with Blackboard for some time and have great enthusiasm for the campus migration.
Dana Lightfoot, assistant professor of history, favors Blackboard over WebCT.
"I much prefer it," Lightfoot said. "It meets the changing situation regarding academic online communications."
Lightfoot also said that she hopes that faculty and students will accept Blackboard.
"Some people don't always like change, but I think Blackboard will produce a positive reaction on campus," Lightfoot said.
Accepting change
Anne Perry, lecturer in art, said that despite the system possibly being difficult to learn at first, she is willing to learn about Blackboard's new features.
"Perhaps some of the faculty, like myself, who didn't grow up with cell phones and computers, will find the change to Blackboard a challenge at first, but the staff in the FIT lab will guide us through the transition," Perry said.
Meredith Abarca, associate professor of English, said she thinks online course management systems can aid the learning process.
"For many of us, the actual process of learning happens during class discussion," Abarca said. "In online courses, I become more of a facilitator for discussion by setting up questions before discussion begins."
However, Abarca also said she does not believe any online educational system should replace classroom instruction.
"E-learning can enhance traditional teaching, but I don't think it can or should replace traditional teaching," Abarca said.
Faculty members have a number of resources available to them this summer, from one-on-one classes taught by FIT Lab staff to online tutorials in Spanish and English.
Resources are available in case professors want to learn about adopting an e-learning system for the first time or simply wish to understand how the new Blackboard operates.
New features
The new Blackboard system has enhanced learning features similar to what is available on WebCT. The system includes a live chat room for class members and a media library as well as a course homepage, an assessments page for exam grades and a file manager.
Pitcher said FIT Lab plans to educate faculty on how to customize Blackboard to their teaching needs. The Instructional Technology department staff is also undergoing tutorials based on common issues students face when adapting to Blackboard.
Pitcher said IT and FIT Lab will formally announce the implementation of the system to the student body by the end of the summer. He also said they will provide online tutorials as well as knowledgeable IT staff support to aid in the transition process, which he said will last for about one year.
Despite a discreet transition process, some students have already heard of Blackboard's introduction at UTEP.
Oscar Zamora, sophomore creative writing major, said his mother uses Blackboard at EPCC.
"I've seen it before at EPCC and it's very easy to use," Zamora said. "My mom is a returning college student with limited computer knowledge and I know that she has no problem with it."
Zamora also said he was excited about the transition to Blackboard on campus, and hopes it will be used by professors more extensively than WebCT has been.
"I think it's great that it's finally coming to UTEP," Zamora said. "I know some teachers do not like using WebCT and maybe Blackboard will change their minds about online learning."
Cristina Dominguez, freshman business administration major, said she felt unsure about having to learn another e-learning system.
"WebCT is kind of vague and the transition to Blackboard could create more problems for students that are barely becoming familiar with WebCT," Dominguez said.
Daniela Azcarate, senior bilingual education major, said she will be happy to see a new e-learning system on campus as long as the features she loves on WebCT will be passed on to Blackboard.
"Teachers provide course material and it is a great way to communicate with classmates," Azcarate said. "If that's going to be included in Blackboard, that's great, but teachers need to promote the use of it."
Pitcher said it is understandable if members of the faculty or student body encounter certain issues when transitioning to a new online system and the staffs at the FIT Lab and IT are able to help.
"I think the challenge is when you try something and you don't exactly get the result you want," Pitcher said. "Come and talk to us, tell us why it doesn't work and we will work with you to get those results."
Natalia Quiroz may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.
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