I agree with Dr. Pompele. It upsets me that the Blackboard System changes each year and I have to take more time to relearn how to use some of its features. I also agree that we do not need all the fancy features. I too would prefer a basic system that does not change each year. Having said this, I should also mention that I do use the Blackboard extensively in my classes because it is very helpful, in this day and age, for us to be able to communicate electronically with our students. Doesn’t Blackboard have a less fancy-basic version we could use? If not, maybe it is time to consider another company. How much does UM pay for the use of this system anyway?
Thomas D. Boswell
Department of Geography & Regional Studies
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida 33124-2221
(786) 417-6003
TBoswell@Miami.edu
From: UM Blackboard Announcements [mailto:BB@LISTSERV.MIAMI.EDU] On Behalf Of Pompele, Giovanna
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 10:14 PM
To: BB@LISTSERV.MIAMI.EDU
Subject: Re: [BB] CAS authentication is back
I'm not entirely pleased with the new BB myself. Every time there is an update it seems to get worse (like Facebook?). I wonder about how much we are paying for this product, and how many people are using the fancy features. I think it's worth a collective rethinking.
Dr. Giovanna Pompele
Women's and Gender Studies Program and English Dept.
University of Miami
252 Memorial Drive Ashe Bldg, Rm 321
Coral Gables, FL 33146
305 662 2453
On Sep 19, 2012, at 10:04 PM, Harry, Elizabeth G. wrote:
I agree!
Beth Harry, Ph.D.,
Professor and Chair, Department of Teaching and Learning
Co-Director, Project INCLUDE
School of Education, Merrick Bldg., Room 222
University of Miami, 5202 University Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33124-2040
office: (305)284-5363
fax: (305)284-6998
From: UM Blackboard Announcements [BB@LISTSERV.MIAMI.EDU] on behalf of Kubalkova, Vendulka [vkubalkova@MIAMI.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 12:16 PM
To: BB@LISTSERV.MIAMI.EDU
Subject: Re: [BB] CAS authentication is back
Dear Colleagues,
I have used BB since it was introduced years ago and in fact two of my classes were some years counted as number 3 and 4 in the total count of the use of BB. So I was a dedicated user but the the "advances" of the Bb technology has gone beyond my capability.
So this year I have given up. Totally.
The thing is completely ridiculous. It keeps telling me that I don't have admin privileges, or it says error and I write a long letter in announcements and it throws me out - and wipes out the message. I tried to put up my resume and the format of it was so ridiculous that I deleted it: a page document was on three lines with the lines going a mile to the right and no visible way of how to format. I posted a banner after trying for ages until I figured out that it takes only a png format.
So: I have given up. I upload everything in my dropbox for which I pay out of my pocket. I invite students to participate in it (for free). I upload materials and they upload their assignments including PP which this BB "Rolls Royce" I suspect could not handle.
I will use only the function through which I will be emailing to the class and brief announcements to be emailed to the class - brief for fear that the system will kick me out and wipe out the message in the process. It also took me a while how to operate the discussion board and blogs which too was shrouded in mystery - I will stop using it and use some other private software if that too somehow packs up.
I long for the return of BB about 5 models ago which was user friendly, did not have all of the tricks which I seriously doubt anybody can use. I suggest that you do a faculty survey and roll back to a usable version. and make sure that you ask whether faculty actually use it beyond posting a syllabus. I urge whoever is in charge to reconsider this annual upgrading since this last version in my view is totally useless.
Thanks
Dr.V.Kubalkova
Professor of International Studies
On Sep 5, 2012, at 11:51 AM, "Ramos, Ricardo" <r.ramos3@MIAMI.EDU> wrote:
Hello Bb Users,
CAS is now working and you should be able to log into Blackboard.
Thank you,
Rick Ramos
Department of Information Technology
Blackboard Help Desk Supervisor
305-284-3949
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