Usability Study for Designing Efficient Blackboard Course Sites
Abstract
Across the Boise State University (BSU) campus, instructors from all disciplines struggle with creating an efficient Blackboard design for their courses so that students can direct their focus on learning the content and not the tools. The purpose of this study was to investigate how to help design learning experiences using Blackboard, the predominant learning management system at BSU.
Using high-fidelity biometric sensors that record where users' eyes are focused and the emotions they experience, this study examined college students’ behaviors completing standard learning tasks in Blackboard such as uploading assignments and contributing to class discussions. This study employed a qualitative research design in order to organize data into categories, and identify patterns and relationships among the categories. The biometric data was triangulated with surveys and checklists.
This research is important because by understanding how students navigate and operate in Blackboard, instructors can gain a better understanding of how to design their courses toward a more positive learning experience. This study is still in progress, therefore, the major findings and conclusions will be presented during the poster presentation.
Usability Study for Designing Efficient Blackboard Course Sites
Across the Boise State University (BSU) campus, instructors from all disciplines struggle with creating an efficient Blackboard design for their courses so that students can direct their focus on learning the content and not the tools. The purpose of this study was to investigate how to help design learning experiences using Blackboard, the predominant learning management system at BSU.
Using high-fidelity biometric sensors that record where users' eyes are focused and the emotions they experience, this study examined college students’ behaviors completing standard learning tasks in Blackboard such as uploading assignments and contributing to class discussions. This study employed a qualitative research design in order to organize data into categories, and identify patterns and relationships among the categories. The biometric data was triangulated with surveys and checklists.
This research is important because by understanding how students navigate and operate in Blackboard, instructors can gain a better understanding of how to design their courses toward a more positive learning experience. This study is still in progress, therefore, the major findings and conclusions will be presented during the poster presentation.