Educational Technology
Blackboard@Eastman
What and Why
What is Blackboard? Blackboard is the new course management system recently purchased by the University of Rochester. It allows for the online management of your courses. It is the replacement to WebCT.
Who can use it? Any faculty member. Your course is already setup. All you have to do is sign in and begin dreaming. Your students are already enrolled. No more searching for students that are already on the roster. Staff member? Give us a call and we can set something up for your departmental needs. Student or a TA? Finally all of your courses in one area! It is easy to retrieve readings, complete assignments and get in contact with your professor or fellow students.
Why use it? Ease of use. University supported. Industry Standard. Blackboard is the most widely used course management system in U.S. post-secondary schools. Furthermore it truly fits the needs of Eastman. How so?
To generalize, there are basically three kinds of classes taught here at Eastman: Lectures, Ensembles and Studio lessons. Blackboard can enhance and bring new learning possibilities to each of these class types.
Lectures: All of your materials can be grouped together. No need to use the folders in the Cave, or make dozens of copies of class materials. Do you have a great deal of online content? You can easily make links in the medium you are referring to. This can be a true time saver for both you and your students.
Ensembles: The Rotation schedule is now easily accessible. Do you know how many students determine when and what rotation they play in throughout the semester? A nice lonely spot at the very back of the Main Hall cornered in by a piano and an unassuming metal railing. Is that the best Eastman can do in the 21st Century? Blackboard can help. Each ensemble is class, hence, each ensemble can regularly post updated schedules for all of the participants online seamlessly. Why is this helpful? Imagine coming in from an audition at 3AM knowing there is a schedule change in the rotation coming up. Currently, there is little you can do but wait until early morning to run into the main building, peer into the corner, and hope you don't have a morning spot. Is there an easier way? With a just few clicks, not only will there be peace of mind, but also a good night's rest which would definitely translate to a better performance later.
Scores borrowed from the Ensemble Library can also be affected by Blackboard: borrowing can be greatly reduced. No more holding on to library scores from the library for 6 weeks; lost items can be a thing of the past.
Wouldn't it be great if students could learn the music early? All of the music for the whole year could be uploaded as PDF's. Security is guaranteed as it would only be admissible to Eastman Students.
What good is playing in an ensemble of you can't hear what you sound like? Not every student has a MiniDisc recorder. Eastman does have good recording resources however... Could they be put to use somehow? You bet! Why not record each class and post it immediately to Blackboard? Then each student could hear how they sound in relation to other instruments, should that be your desire.
Studio Lessons: Your studio class meets together once a week. To make that meeting more useful you could record it for the benefit of all, especially if it included a special guest or performance that you really want your students to remember. Pieces required for listening could be posted. Individualize the learning with true targeted assignments that only appear for certain students or groups of your choosing. Really, the possibilities for enhancing and managing a private teaching experience can certainly expand when coupled with Blackboard.
Next generation of Musicians: Why are your students here? Sure you are a great teacher, but isn't it to prepare your students for a sustainable career in music? Yes, the focus is on career establishment. Digital production of online content including, but not limited to podcasts, mashups, YouTube videos etc. are quickly redefining methodologies for cutltural and intellectual exchange. How can Eastman best use the tools and trends of the digital age to find a place for themselves? Lead and be led. No one has all of the answers, but by using a web based course management tool with up-to-date web capabilities, you are that much closer to successfully navigating with and guiding the next round of pupils entering Eastmans's gates.
How
OK, so now that you are convinced Blackboard can work for you, what's next? How do you get started? How does it all work? That is what this section of the site is about. Over the next couple of months this section will continue to expand and hopefully offer solutions to some of your most pressing questions.
Contact/Help
Login issues? Course merging? General thoughts on life with Blackboard? Please email bb@esm.rochester.edu anytime you need help exploring this new resource.