Presenter: Nathalie Thorne Organisation: Leeds Beckett University Description: The Distance Learning Unit at Leeds Beckett have been described as 'power users' of our Blackboard installation. Since 2012 we have revolutionised how our academics deliver an integrated learning experience for purely online learners, with our instructional design team utilising various tools and techniques available in Blackboard to produce interactive, enjoyable and rewarding modules for our learners. This session will demonstrate our distance learning style, showing how we have used discussion boards, wikis and other tools to create an immersive experience for our learners.

1. Leeds Beckett University
‘Power Using’ Blackboard
for purely online learners

2. • Background
• How do most of our institution use
Blackboard?
• What do our online learners need?
• What tools do we use?
• Examples
• Innovations

3. Background

4. Faculty Distance
Learning Leaders
Online Learning
Tutors (OLTs)
Production –
Instructional Design
Team
Marketing &
Operations
Director
Faculty
Contacts
Learning Systems –
Blackboard Support
team
• 20 years of distance
learning
• 3.5 years of Distance
Learning Unit
• Approx 800 DL students
• 33 online courses
• 10 years of Blackboard

5. How do most of
our institution
use Blackboard?

7. What do our
online learners
need?

8. Concerns Expectations
• Not knowing course
structure/delivery methods –
wanted clarification on HOW
delivered/structured
• Motivation/commitment
• Managing and organising current
lifestyle
• Tutor interaction
• Live interactions
• 8-10 hours study per week
• Specific and detailed feedback
• Contact details for each tutor –
email and phone
• All learning material for whole
module available via MyBeckett
(called “X-Stream” at time of survey)

9. • Clear and consistent
navigation
• Directional
guidance/signposting
• Visual brand
• Ease of use

10. What tools do
we use?

11. Key Tools
Blackboard
• Learning modules
• HTML items
• Activity tools: Wikis,
Discussion boards, Tests
• Portal Channels
External tools
• Embedded media
• Articulate Storyline HTML5
output
• Google Apps (Communities,
Concept Board, etc)
• TurnItIn integration

12. What don’t
we use?
• Social tools –
currently
investigating but
functionally and
visually not as
strong as Google
Communities
• Blogs/Journals –
Most activities fit
better in
Discussion
Board, Wiki or
external software

13. Examples

20. Innovations

21. A different view for distance
learners

22. Exemplar modules – Online

23. Exemplar modules – Blended

24. Exemplar modules – Training

25. Thank you!
Nathalie Thorne
Instructional Design Team Manager
n.k.thorne@leedsbeckett.ac.uk