Voices Magazine-Vol3-Issue-6-WEB

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | September - December 2020 14 U niversity of Technology, Jamaica on December 10, 2020 marked a significant milestone in teaching and learning with the virtual launch of the Blackboard Learn (BBL) Learning Management System. Blackboard Learn, which will replace previously used online learning platforms at the start of Academic Year 2021-2022, is a robust, web-based learning management system that will enable the University to expand online delivery of its courses of study, while promoting the effective engagement of students. Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President in his introduction, noted that the implementation of Blackboard Learn at the University is “in keeping with our commitment to seeking and implementing all required measures to enhance teaching and learning at our institution.” He noted that UTech, Jamaica adopted a blended approach to teaching and learning resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which incorporated online and face-to-face modalities with the observation of strict health and safety protocols. Students have been integrated through the use of several online platforms, primarily Moodle and Blackboard Collaborate. He noted the challenges of “consistency, standardization and accountability which have been highlighted by the use of multiple online platforms.” Acting Deputy President, Dr. Haldane Johnson, spoke to the academic priorities and the role of Faculty as drivers of the online teaching and learning process. He indicated the priority for training of all academic staff in utilizing the new platform and the priority of maintaining the integrity, efficacy and rigor of our teaching and assessment processes. Dr. Johnson also encouraged the continuous sharing of best practices among colleagues, so that there is sustained improvement in our online teaching and learning. Remarks were delivered by key stakeholder leaders, including Students’ Union President Mr. Khalil Hutchinson, who thanked Professor Gyles and the management team for taking the positive step of implementing the new learning management system, which he noted will meet the current needs of the student populace. “This is a great move by the University. As the paradigm is changing, we have to adjust and do things that fit the current climate that we are in,” he expressed. Mr. Hutchinson also took the opportunity to remind students that responsibility for their education rested with them, and urged UTech, Jamaica Launches Blackboard Learn, Learning Management System his fellow students to take full advantage of the benefits and “impressive features” of Blackboard Learn. Associate Vice President, Distance Learning, Dr. Jeanette Bartley-Bryan in an impassioned presentation, appealed to the University Community to embrace the vision of the new paradigm of online learning, urging a shift in habits and behaviours. She acknowledged the many challenges and teething pains in transitioning to online learning, which are not unique to UTech, Jamaica and gave assurances of support from the team in the Office of Distance Learning, noting that resource teams are being created to assist academic and administrative staff in the transition. Chief Information Technology Officer, Mr. George Brown, in his contribution, pointed out that UTech, Jamaica was already in a period of digital transformation, but the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an acceleration of the strategic implementation of the BBL learning management system. Mr. Brown noted that research was done to find the best system for the UTech, Jamaica environment, indicating that the present Moodle online platform, with Blackboard Collaborate, was insufficient to meet the needs of staff and students. Highlighting some of the benefits of the new teaching and learning ecosystem, Mr. Brown indicated that BBL will integrate with the current Information Student Administration System (ISAS) and UTech, Jamaica Online. He also noted that the integrated systems would be improved and perfected over time. University Registrar, Mrs. Mercedes Deane, in her endorsement, emphasized that the new learning management system offers a good way of building bridges between the old and new ways of operating at the University, and would reduce the gaps between the modalities of teaching and learning. She encouraged students to give feedback and to help others to navigate the new online environment. Also participating in the launch ceremony were Blackboard Learn solution service providers Ms. Dorota Ford, Regional Director, Mexico and Caribbean and Mr. Miguelangel Reyes Rojas, Senior Solutions Engineer, who shared some of the benefits of BBL, including its intuitive design, its student information management capabilities, security, and ability to tract student engagement. Instruction Design Specialist, Mrs. Kamla Anderson, provided a comprehensive demonstration of the intuitive and user-friendly functionalities of BBL from the perspective of both lecturer and student. The implementation of Blackboard Learn at UTech, Jamaica is being coordinated by a cross-functional Project Team led by the Technology and Information Management (TIM) Division and the Office of Distance Learning. The Project team is working to effect full adoption of the Blackboard Learn at the start of Semester I of the 2021/22 Academic Year. The project team is carrying out a pilot with the participation of select lecturers and students during Semester II and III of the current 2020/2021 Academic Year. For more information, visit https://www.utech.edu.jm