Ditch “Blackboard” for better, more open course software
The ideal Blackboard replacement:
• Would work on all standards-compliant browsers
• Would not be frame-based (HTML)
• Would allow students to subscribe to course announcements via RSS, Email, or nothing (their choice) instead of having to check the site manually
• Would allow exporting events in standard iCal format
• Would allow subscribing to events (such as assignment due dates, organization events, etc) via Google Calendar, iCal, Outlook or any iCal-compliant calendar program
• Would be better linked. For example, looking at Class X's grades on the Grades page currently does not link to Class X's course home page.
• More problems: Students, please comment below!
Adminstraight_up
(Admin, Fix ASU)
shared this idea
9 comments
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jeremeamia
commented
"Would not be frame-based" <- Blackboard looks a decade old and makes me feel like I have to wait a decade to view the info I need.
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Adminstraight_up
(Admin, Fix ASU)
commented
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Adminstraight_up
(Admin, Fix ASU)
commented
Furthermore, in March 2008 the Blackboard patent was overturned "in a preliminary ruling": http://is.gd/a6bk
Also, a system just like that described by Blackboard's patent was actually created in 1960 (!). http://is.gd/a6aT
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Adminstraight_up
(Admin, Fix ASU)
commented
On Moodle:
Apparently Moodle is a free alternative to Blackboard, which is easier for teachers and students to use:
"Thanks a lot Blackboard. For slowing down academia by requiring them to click more, and filing patents to assure that the future is filled with more clicking and less learning."
–Teacher Greg Francom, http://is.gd/a63u -
Adminstraight_up
(Admin, Fix ASU)
commented
"I'm just saying, ASU should consider using a free alternative such as Sakai or Moodle; that way they could save the University money and save us money. But they'd rather pay for a service, mark it up 500%, charge us technology fees, all the while Michael Crow gets pay increases but then complains about the economy while raising our tuition." –D.M. (a student)
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Pormotsev
commented
sounds like a good idea but what would they replace it
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Adminstraight_up
(Admin, Fix ASU)
commented
...and the patent could be challenged. It is so broad and so obvious that one could argue the patent should never have been granted.
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Adminstraight_up
(Admin, Fix ASU)
commented
Yes, Blackboard holds a very broad patent: http://is.gd/8eyS
There may be ways around it, however.
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ste
commented
My understanding is that Blackboard holds some rather bad software patents in the area of course management software.
