Procedure

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The Courseware Group used the Proposed Evaluation Instrument formulated by the Faculty Sub-Group of the E-University Steering Committee as a guide in constructing the Spring 2001 Blackboard Faculty Survey. The final survey contained fifty questions and required ten to twenty minutes to complete.

Although identification of users was hampered by the lack of an accurate report-generation mechanism, 176 faculty and staff members were identified as Blackboard users. This represented an increase of seventy individuals, or nearly 40 percent, from the previous stage of the pilot program. Those using the tool received e-mail requesting that they complete the survey that was posted on the Web for approximately two weeks beginning on May 11, 2001.

Sixty-one individuals completed the survey. This represents a response rate of 35% percent. Responses were analyzed using SPSS version 10.1.

Limitations of the study include a number of issues. First, a small number of people responded to the survey. Of those who did, some chose to answer only a subset of the questions, making it difficult to draw statistically significant conclusions. Second, it is questionable whether respondents represent the general population. Finally, since many users had never used a course management system, positive responses could be an endorsement for any courseware product rather than one specifically for Blackboard.

The strength of the survey is that it provides qualitative and quantitative measures that, if administered to a larger group, can form the basis for a detailed statistical analysis. The study continues the process of collecting information to determine the specific needs for a course management system that will improve teaching and learning.