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Blackboard @ Assumption College
What is
Blackboard?
Blackboard is an Instructional
Management System (IMS), a Course Management System (CMS),
and some people consider it a Learning Management System
(LMS). An IMS (or CMS) is an integrated tool for distributing
information and communication. Typically these are web or
intranet based systems. The key word is integration, an IMS
is like using a web site that has a variety of tools, chat,
e-mail, discussion. But instead of having to finding the
tools and putting them together, an IMS bundles them for
you. An LMS does all of these things but also typically includes
tools to manage learning assets (handouts, learning modules,
and other files) and track course completion.
An IMS has three basic uses:
To
distribute information, such as handouts, readings, and assignments
To foster discussion and collaboration which increases communication between
student and instructor and among students, in face-to-face course extends the
class outside the classroom.
To provide student assessment and tracking, quizzes,
surveys, and 24/7 access to grades.
Blackboard provides an easy to use interface allowing
instructors to develop a web presence for their courses and to extend the boundaries
of their classroom.
Last updated: 13 February 2005
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