2. About Fort Valley State University
• Located in Fort Valley, GA
• 3,500 students
• 1/3 of students live on
campus
• Offer eCore and other online
programs
• 94% African American
3. FVSU Online
• GeorgiaVIEW used by University System of Georgia
• 4 BA Degrees offered & one counseling program
• Online advising and support services
*Class Differences: Online Education in the United States, 2010
4. Blackboard Products - Working Together
At Fort Valley State University, Blackboard Connect,
Collaborate and Enterprise Instant Messenger are
used to help improve student engagement and
retention in online classes.
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5. Connect
Connect Group:
• At the start of each new term, students
enrolled in at least one totally online
section are added to a special group
within Connect.
• The group is updated as new students
complete the registration process.
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6. Connect
How used?
• The Group is sent messages via
phone, email and text message. FVSU: You are invited to a web
conference on May29 at 5PM to
welcome you to Summer 2012.
The link to this conference has
been sent to your email.
• Phone numbers and email
addresses come from
information provided in Banner,
our student information system.
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7. When Used?
• At the beginning of a new term, students are
notified about the Orientation to Online Instruction
session that is held using Collaborate.
• At various points during the semester students are
sent reminders about important events or critical
dates, such as semester midterm and final exam
dates.
• Faculty members can request that a message be
sent to students who are at risk due to failure to
log in and complete assignments.
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8. Pros and Cons
Pros Cons
• Students receive information in • Students do not always provide the
multiple ways and to phone correct information or provided
numbers and email addresses that incomplete information.
students are more likely to check.
• Sometimes students are added to
the group and then drop the online
section so the information does not
• All students receive the same
apply.
information.
• The group is not updated until after
the current semester is over so
• Can personalize the messages messages cannot be sent prior to
using voice calling and text the start of late registration.
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9. Collaborate
• Using Connect, students are sent the link to Blackboard Collaborate
(formerly Wimba Classroom) sessions that:
• Provide students in online sections with information concerning logging in
and participating in an online class
• Introduce students in online programs to members of the Administration
• Within online sections, professors use Blackboard Collaborate (formerly
Wimba Classroom) to help students understand important class
material.
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10. Enterprise Instant Messenger
• During the Orientation to Online Instruction
session in Collaborate, students are provided
information as to how register their Blackboard
Enterprise Instant Messenger account and how
this tool might be used in their online classes.
• BB IM is used for:
• Instructor virtual office hours
• Communication among students, faculty and
staff
• Advisement
• Library services
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11. Working together
By combining multiple
communication tools:
• Students are provided information
about the tools needed to be
successful in the online environment
• It is easier to reach out to students
who otherwise might be lost
• Students have an opportunity to be
greeted by University Administrators
• Students are able to participate in a
synchronous session where
questions/concerns can be
addressed
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14. We value your feedback!
Please fill out a session evaluation.
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Notas del editor
At Fort Valley State University (FVSU), online education has become increasingly popular. But what will the student experience look like as more students—especially non-traditional learners—opt to enroll online? Join Karen Watson, Director of Online Instruction and Asst. Mathematics Professor at FVSU, for an overview of how the right technology has created a connected and engaged online learning experience. Using Blackboard Connect and Collaborate, FVSU has created a unique communications strategy that helps improve online student engagement and retention. Through multi-channel notifications that reach students via text, email, and voice calls, the institution is able to share important registration, orientation, class, and exam proctoring information. These messages also link to the Collaborate online learning classroom where students are given the tools they need to attend classes and orientation, interact, and attend virtual office hours. Leave this session with best practices and ideas for improving communication and online learning at your institution.
