Frequently Asked Questions

How many students are required for a course?

Currently the minimum number of students required for a class to be given is 5. The final decision is made by the Academic Dean usually 2-3 weeks before the semester

How long does class last and its frequency?

Every class using Blackboard educational software program normally lasts 14 weeks. Students will typically meet in the virtual classroom once a week, contribute to class blogs, download and read (and in some cases listen to) faculty lectures, and read and write papers as they would be required to do in a typical class held on campus.

Do I have to have an e-mail address to take a course?

Yes. All students are required to have an e-mail address to take a course

If I take a class where do I get the books for the course?

It is the student’s responsibility to purchase the books required for any class. Books required for a class can be bought through website booksellers such as Amazon or through local bookstores where the student lives. Students may also choose to go to their local public or church library and check out the books required for the class.

How do I find a list of the required books?

Every Blackboard class site allows for the faculty person to post documents such as a syllabus or book list. These documents can easily be downloaded by the student and opened with programs such as Microsoft Word.

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is an educational software program that utilizes the technology of the internet and electronic data files for educational purposes. The Blackboard educational software program combines both synchronous and asynchronous learning to allow more flexibility into the educational arena. A typical Blackboard class utilizes several different modes of learning from a virtual classroom, to a class blog, to reading books and writing papers.

What is synchronous and asynchronous learning?

Synchronous learning refers to learning that takes place when the students and faculty person are meeting together at the same time. On the Blackboard class site this happens when all of the students and the faculty person meet in the virtual classroom at the same time. Asynchronous learning refers to learning that takes place at the students’ own pace and time schedules. On the Blackboard class site this happens whenever students login to read and contribute to the ongoing class discussion blogs, or when students reads and write papers on their own time.

What is a virtual classroom?

The Blackboard educational software program includes a feature whereby all the students and the faculty person can meet electronically. In the virtual classroom a list of the student’s usernames are visible on everyone’s computer enabling all students to identify who has entered the virtual classroom. When a student or the faculty person types a question, answer or comment in the text box and clicks on “send” the same words appear on all of the students’ computers at the same time. This feature allows for the faculty person to give instructions, ask questions, or even deliver a small lecture to the entire class at the same time. While “raising one’s hand” to ask a question is a bit more difficult in a virtual classroom, agreed upon “virtual etiquette” allows for a class to function similarly to how a typical classroom would on a school’s campus.

Will Blackboard work on an Apple computer?

The Blackboard educational software program is not dependent upon a Microsoft operated personal computer. All students are encouraged to read over the computer specification that WTU provides on its web site. However, the JAVA software program that is needed to open the virtual classroom site comes in different versions depending upon a student’s computer and operating system. Students are encouraged to determine on their own which JAVA program to download by visiting the JAVA web site, www.java.com. NOTE: many of the newer computers will come with JAVA already installed.

Where do I find additional help with blackboard?

On every Blackboard class site there is an instruction manual that explains in detail how Blackboard works and describes the various functions of Blackboard. Any student is also invited to contact the Information Technology department at WTU. All students who are enrolled at WTU and registered for an online class will get a set of simply instructions e-mailed to them prior to the class starting to help them further understand the virtual classroom, class blogs, and how to upload personal pictures and information to a Blackboard class site.

 

HELPFUL LINKS

Computer Specifications

Blackboard Information

For Information Contact:

Bruce Bamgarten

Director of Technology tech@wtu.edu

Morgan Alexander
malexander@wtu.edu