Course Management

IDeS assists instructors who wish to integrate technology into their teaching. We support a number of tools to assist with course management.

Blackboard Vista
BC uses Blackboard Vista as an e-learning system to complement classroom instruction. Blackboard Vista needs no special tools or installation other than your normal internet browser. It provides instructors with contained, secure web space and numerous features and functions including: threaded discussions, assignment and grade tracking, file management, and access statistics.

Respondus
Respondus is a program that creates exams and quizzes that can then be inserted into Blackboard Vista, or printed out for in-class use.

Wimba Tools
Wimba Tools are "mini applications" which instructors can use to provide online voice interaction, both asynchronous and real time. They are available in Blackboard Vista, and Wimba Classroom (a comprehensive virtual environment for teaching) can also be used independently.

MediaKron
MediaKron is an online tool for presenting and exploring multimedia course content. It provides an easy way for instructors to upload and organize a variety of instructional materials and enables students to explore this content from a web browser. MediaKron was created by Instructional Design and eTeaching Services with funding from the Davis Educational Foundation.

iTunes University/Podcasting
Through iTunes University, BC offers instructors a way to deliver online audio or video content such as class lectures through a web feed that is restricted to the BC community. Students can subscribe to feeds and receive new files automatically in order to review class lectures. They can replay the broadcast on their computers or on their easily portable Apple iPods.

iClicker Polling
Using remote control devices and a portable receiver, clickers allow instructors to get instant feedback from their students in class. Instructors can record the results of student submissions to gauge performance and understanding.

BCshare
BCshare groups offers instructors a flexible set of teaching tools to foster collaborative learning and student publishing in the classroom. IDeS is responsible for supporting BCshare Groups for instructional purposes. BCshare enables each user to to create a profile and publish web pages, resumes, CV's, blog posts, and photo albums. Users have the option to make content available either just to the BC community or to the public at large.