On the Scene: What has been your experience with Blackboard? Is it effective or not?

Last semester, NSU transitioned from the WebCT system used to administer online classes to a new system,  Blackboard. Since the change, students expressed concerns about the operation of the new system at the Chancellor’s Town Hall Meeting last semester. What has been your experience with Blackboard? Is it effective or not?

“A lot of my classes are starting to use it a lot more than last semester and it’s kind of confusing to me, especially because a lot of the teachers use it differently. I prefer learning in class than learning online.” Omar Pimentel-Gonzalez, freshman law major

“I think it’s effective, overall. I think it depends on how the professor uses it.” Kori Desiderio, senior psychology major

“I like it but I think the other way [WebCT] was better. I thought WebCT was more user-friendly but Blackboard’s fine. I mean, some teachers can’t figure out how to use the e-mail system so we still use WebMail or SharkLink.” Emma Magner, sophomore marine biology major

“I like it a lot. It’s really resourceful. Everything for the course is right in one spot. It’s good.” Jenny Gonzalez, first-year nursing student

“It’s efficient for online classes but for regular classes it’s unnecessary.” Keahna Wheatland, junior biology major