It has been two years since KU started using Blackboard to provide students with class materials and notices. While some doubt whether it has accomplished its original goals– to enhance the weaknesses of the prior system in providing mobile services–there is no doubt that it has triggered confusion by allowing an overload of options. In particular, how individual professors use the system can be baffling to students. Unfortunately, most professors use Blackboard solely as a tool to upload class materials, while only some require students to hand in assignments through it and notify them of their grades online.

 

Putting aside the inconvenience caused by such inconsistencies, students lament that Blackboard is not being fully utilized. One of the biggest goals of replacing the KU portal with Blackboard was to provide students opportunities to better communicate with faculty members and fellow students. However, many say that is not happening. For most students and faculty members, Blackboard has a single purpose—uploading and downloading Powerpoint (PPT) slides. For example, although the Discussion Board was made to stimulate discussion among students, very few courses utilize the function.

According to Jeon Mihyeon, who is in charge of the Blackboard system at the KU Center for Teaching and Learning (KUCTL), the school is aware of the problems students are facing in terms of Blackboard. When asked about the greatest successes and failures of Blackboard, she said that its top accomplishment so far was its integration of more than 60 percent of KU classes into a single online system, which is a rate no other institution in Korea has attained so far. 

 

On the other hand, she pointed out several issues with the system that need to be resolved. The general consensus among students is that the biggest problem is that neither communication between students and faculty members nor those among students exists in the current system. Regarding the lack of communication, Jeon addressed the importance of the professors’ role–professors should not only learn about the system but also inform their students about effectively using Blackboard to solve the current complaints regarding Blackboard.

 

While the KUCTL holds educational sessions about Blackboard for professors every semester, only a small portion of the faculty members participate. To encourage more professors to learn about the system, KUCTL has also been operating one on one consulting programs on how to utilize Blackboard based on each course’s traits. Yet, not so many professors are interested in learning how to better use the Blackboard. Unfortunately, such indifference was shared by KU students also. While the KUCTL had operated an informatory session every semester until 2015, it has put an end to such attempt, due to the low interests students have about using the Blackboard. Right before the KUCTL decided to cease the program, only one student visited the session.

 

Another issue is whether it is possible to unite the KU portal with Blackboard. That both sites seem to serve the same purpose weakens their utility. Jeon responded by saying that in terms of technology, such unification can be made right away. However, since there are cases that students volunteer as teacher assistants to grade homeworks and exams, the school has been asking professors to take a final look to make sure all evaluations are done fairly. In order to actualize such double checking system, a separate site that can block the access of teacher assistants is required, blocking the integration of the KU portal and Blackboard.

 

The final issue regarding Blackboard is definitely the availability of a mobile version. While a lot of students are misinformed that an online version is still at a rudimentary stage of development, the school has been utilizing a mobile application from the very beginning. Jeon expects that the school’s plan to expand its online education platform with a wider range of services is what caused the confusion. Jeon says, “The original purpose of putting Blackboard into effect was to allow easier access to the educational information students need. To meet this goal, building out the online version was our primary goal.”

 

Currently KU and Eumjul have already made great progress in developing a better system. Through KUPON, a mobile application that unites on-line services that KU provides, the application students had been dreaming of, with online ID cards, information boards, and Blackboard, is planned to be actualized soon.

 

Until then, the jury is out on Blackboard’s usefulness. However, the school is aware of the inconveniences students are experiencing and is working to find solutions. Also, Eumjul has been putting an eye on Blackboard. According to Park MinnJung, representative of the education department, KUSA is planning to hold events requiring educational improvements, which includes the betterment of the Blackboard.