RSS, Blogs,and MERLOT in Blackboard

Created by Vidya Ananthanarayanan (Trinity University) on April 18, 2005

This is an excerpt from the Blackboard Users Conference blog, the conference recently concluded at Baltimore:

Basically, the RSS Building Block defines RSS as a content type in the Blackboard Learning System. The instructor can now grab an RSS or Atom feed, insert it into the course content, decide whether students will view headlines or the full item, and set caching on the feed. When the student views the course, it will automatically go out and grab the RSS feed (depending on the caching parameters) and display the updated content inside the course. Great way for instructors to include weblog content, news feeds, etc. in their course.

Wonderful news, as long as one is on the higher-end license that permits this type of functionality. For those institutions who cannot afford the mega-bucks required for a higher-end license version, this is just a pipe dream as we explore other ways to integrate these emerging technologies into our pedagogy.

What frustrates me is the fact that clearly Blackboard recognizes the fact that educational institutions, K-12 as well as higher-ed are rapidly leveraging these technologies and incorporating them into their curriculums. Then why are they reserved for the elite few who can afford an Academic or Learning Management license with Blackboard. Does Blackboard think Basic users are any less enthusiastic in their desire to incorporate such technologies? Or do they think those of us whose responsibility it is to increase faculty adoption across campus, to motivate, exhort, and encourage them that this is a good thing, have an easier job of it because of the limited functionality available to us?

Granted Blackboard needs to consider it's bottomline, but surely a viable tradeoff can be found between making technology tools that directly impact pedagogy be it RSS, blogs, or searching MERLOT. Speaking from an instructional technology support perspective, features that directly impact learning and pedagogy should be available in all licenses of Blackboard. Putting a price on it just isn't fair!

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Re: RSS, Blogs,and MERLOT in Blackboard

Submitted by Margaret Maag (University of San Francisco) on April 18, 2005 - 2:20pm.

I have been encouraged by our CIT department to approach our Dean to ask for a higher-end license. I agree putting a price on what may be available to educators is not attractive. Also, asking us to get the more expensive license puts us in a begging situation.

Bb is turning out to be a

Submitted by William J. Allen (Arkansas State University) on August 9, 2006 - 11:24pm.

Bb is turning out to be a menace as well as an assistant. Recent doings leave a bad taste.I'm at the annual Merlot conference and finding new and promising objects. At least at my place, Ark. State U., we will have to use learning objects as individual add-ins to Bb and other venues.

		RSS, Blogs,and MERLOT in Blackboard Created by Vidya Ananthanarayanan (Trinity University) on April 18, 2005 This is an excerpt from the Blackboard Users Conference blog, the conference recently concluded at Baltimore: Basically, the RSS Building Block defines RSS as a content type in the Blackboard Learning System. The instructor can now grab an RSS or Atom feed, insert it into the course content, decide whether students will view headlines or the full item, and set caching on the feed. When the student views the course, it will automatically go out and grab the RSS feed (depending on the caching parameters) and display the updated content inside the course. Great way for instructors to include weblog content, news feeds, etc. in their course. Wonderful news, as long as one is on the higher-end license that permits this type of functionality. For those institutions who cannot afford the mega-bucks required for a higher-end license version, this is just a pipe dream as we explore other ways to integrate these emerging technologies into our pedagogy. What frustrates me is the fact that clearly Blackboard recognizes the fact that educational institutions, K-12 as well as higher-ed are rapidly leveraging these technologies and incorporating them into their curriculums. Then why are they reserved for the elite few who can afford an Academic or Learning Management license with Blackboard. Does Blackboard think Basic users are any less enthusiastic in their desire to incorporate such technologies? Or do they think those of us whose responsibility it is to increase faculty adoption across campus, to motivate, exhort, and encourage them that this is a good thing, have an easier job of it because of the limited functionality available to us? Granted Blackboard needs to consider it's bottomline, but surely a viable tradeoff can be found between making technology tools that directly impact pedagogy be it RSS, blogs, or searching MERLOT. Speaking from an instructional technology support perspective, features that directly impact learning and pedagogy should be available in all licenses of Blackboard. Putting a price on it just isn't fair! Blog (WebLog) \| Faculty Computing Support \| Learning Objects \| Raves \| RSS (Rich Site Summary) Vidya's blog Login or register to post comments 5417 reads Re: RSS, Blogs,and MERLOT in Blackboard Submitted by Margaret Maag (University of San Francisco) on April 18, 2005 - 2:20pm. I have been encouraged by our CIT department to approach our Dean to ask for a higher-end license. I agree putting a price on what may be available to educators is not attractive. Also, asking us to get the more expensive license puts us in a begging situation. Login or register to post comments Bb is turning out to be a Submitted by William J. Allen (Arkansas State University) on August 9, 2006 - 11:24pm. Bb is turning out to be a menace as well as an assistant. Recent doings leave a bad taste.I'm at the annual Merlot conference and finding new and promising objects. At least at my place, Ark. State U., we will have to use learning objects as individual add-ins to Bb and other venues. Login or register to post comments
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