Cleveland State University
Center for eLearning
2121 Euclid Avenue, RT 203
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
Campus Location
Rhodes Tower 203
1860 E. 22nd St.
Phone: 216.687.3960
elearning@csuohio.edu
Interactive Tools
Without interaction an online course is just an informative website. There are many tools available that can enhance the teaching and learning experience. When developing an online course, you need to know the interactive tools available and how best to use them. This section of the website provides you with descriptions of the tools and some pedagogical considerations in their use in eLearning.
Some of these tools come bundled with the Blackboard CE6 Course Management System (CMS) and some are available outside it and can be linked within CE6. For technical help with using the tools, you can consult the Ask eLearning knowledge base where you will find FAQs and reference guides. You can also self-register for a CE6 orientation reference site, or "course," that will be added to your MyBlackboard page. Also, consult the Faculty Development and Training Schedule for workshops that you would like to attend.
Administrative Tools
These tools may not be the most exciting, but in order to facilitate an online course smoothly, you should decide which administrative tools you will use in your course and how you will use them. In this section, learn about the Calendar, Mail, Announcements, and Assignment tools in Blackboard CE6. Also included is an example General Communication Policy included in an online course.
Collaborative Discussion Tools
Asynchronous and synchronous discussion tools are included in this section. Considerations on how to design a class discussion activity and example grading rubrics are included.
Collaborative Production Tools
These tools may be less familiar to you. An interactive tool that falls under the domain of "Production" include tools like blogs and wikis. Though still interactive, their focus is the production of content rather than discussion. Learn about these tools, and how they differ from discussion tools, in this section.