Teachers, students and parents in Fayette County will soon explore the touted benefits of a $200,000 per year learning management program approved Jan. 17 by the Fayette County Board of Education. The expenditure for the new program is included in the current budget.
Among its features, the Blackboard Learn program can be used to enhance teaching tasks and create assignments, manage content, collaborate with teachers across multiple school systems, analyze data and, for students and teachers, provide “anywhere/anytime” learning, according to blackboard.com.
Blackboard has the capability to let teachers, parents and students access and use the program anytime, anywhere, school system staff said.
“I think this is a tremendous tool for us,” said Superintendent Jody Barrow at the Jan. 5 meeting, telling board members that funding for the cloud-hosted program is currently included the the FY 2015 budget. “It provides more resources for our teachers.”
In total, the Blackboard program includes online instruction, managed hosting services, mobile learning, content repository, web conferencing, on-site training and online professional services.
In terms of course delivery, teachers can create engaging learning opportunities for students with collaborative tools such as Wikis and Blogs, integrated media and content such as videos and photos, all delivered within a structured environment that provides students with individualized instruction, according to Blackboard.
Barrow said the school system will put processes in place to ensure accountability. While built into the current budget, Barrow said the school system can change or eliminate the program if not satisfied with the results.
Board member Barry Marchman prior to the vote said the concept behind the learning management program was beautiful, adding that he was concerned that it could go the way other technologies sometimes do when people stop using it.
“We don’t want to push it down people’s throats,” Barrow responded. “I think people will want to use it.”
Deputy Superintendent Sam Sweat during the discussion said Blackboard includes a professional learning component that will, “make teacher’s lives easier being under one umbrella.”
Barrow agreed, saying that training for teachers is a big part of the annual subscription option.
As proposed, Blackboard will role out in phases covering up to four years, with 7,000 users (teachers and students) able to access the program in the first year. The number of users increases to 13,000 in the second year, 20,000 in the third year and all users in the fourth year. There is no charge for parent access to the program.
“Based on the committee’s assessment the recommendation is that the board authorize the superintendent to finalize contract and pricing with Blackboard for the Learning Management System and associated components. Total first year estimated costs are approximately $190,900 with annual renewal costs estimated at $180,000 to $255,000 per year depending on selected components. Funds are available in the General Fund Technology budget,” Assistant Superintendent Tom Gray said in a Dec. 18 letter.
As for additional future costs beyond the program itself, Barrow in response to a question from Marchman on the need for more staffing said the learning management system might require at least two more IT positions.
Barrow said the school system plans to purchase the program mid-year.
“It will take a little time to implement but it will help us work smoother,” Barrow said.
