Using Blackboard Learn to Foster a Community of Practice for Computer Applications Instructors
Abstract: This session documents the process used for creating a Community of Practice (COP) for the instructors of an undergraduate computer applications course. Prior to the formation of the COP, there was very little formal communication between the instructors. A new coordinator over all the course sections chose to adopt the COP approach to manage the coordination efforts. The purpose of the COP was to collaboratively address course issues and to share best practices that would decrease time and effort and increase quality. A space on Blackboard Learn was procured to support the COP’s efforts. For this best practices session the instructors will demonstrate Blackboard Learn site that emerged as a space to share course materials, design common quizzes, and design rubrics for consistent grading. By having the Blackboard site emerge from the COP, all the instructors shared ownership. This was an important process for allowing an efficient and effective common course to emerge.