Using Brightspaceto Create a Virtual Message Center for an Entire Academic Program

Using Brightspace to Create a Virtual Message Center for an

Entire Academic Program

Laura M. Schwarz, DNP, RN, CNEAssistant Professor, Nursing

Minnesota State University, MankatoBrightspace Ignite Presentation 4/24/2015

What you will learn

This session will discuss why and how Brightspace (Desire2Learn) can be used to create a virtual message center for all students enrolled in an online, blended or live academic program.

Objectives

1. Explain the rationale for creating a virtual message center in the learning management system for any program be it live, blended or fully online.

2. Identify the steps to creating a virtual message center using the Brightspace D2L platform.

Student satisfaction in online learning is dependent on

•Access to information

•Opportunities to interact with teachers and classmates

•(Sit, Chung, Meyrick, Chow & Wong, 2004).

Problem•How does one go about communicating program level

information for a large program of hundreds of learners who are enrolled in several different sections of multiple courses?

•How do you provide learners with a way to interact with each other in such a program

•E-mail and phone calls are not effective or efficient communication means for program of such magnitude.

•Trying to communicate can feel like casting out a message in a bottle!

Aha Moment…Bright Idea: Create A VIRTUAL MESSAGE CENTER in D2L Bightspace!

• Streamline program communication, cut down on several individual e-

mails and phone calls on the same topic, and

• Fosters collegiality and engagement among students and faculty

members.

• Can be used for an entire online, live, or blended program,

• Requires creating a designated program “courseroom” in the online

learning platform to which all students have access.

The Virtual Message Center (VMC)• All program learners enrolled in VMC for the duration of their education in

the program.

• Acts similar to a live bulletin board & file cabinet

• Contains programmatic documents

• Area to ask/answer questions

• Area for all program students to collaborate

• Successful in communicating program level information to all learners

• Can be a place for a virtual symposium (conference)

• Can act as e-folio for all learners

Possible VMC

ComponentsAnnouncements

& News

(News/ Course Home Area)

Documents & FAQs

(Content Area)

Ask Program Questions

(Discussion Area)

Virtual Symposium Conference

(Discussion Area)

“Coffee with Colleagues”

(Discussion Area)

E-Folio (Dropbox)

Announcements/News (Course Home Area)

Acts like a physical bulletin board or “live” in class announcements would

• “Start Here” Button: Tells how to use/navigate the Message Board

• Reminders about registration, due dates, applying for graduation, etc.

• Announcements impacting many students such as new student services

• A “heads-up” when something new has been added to the content area

• Important information and links to other things like surveys

Documents and FAQ’s (Content Area)

Acts as an electronic storage file in hosting various documents

including:

• Student Handbook

• Program Orientation and associated documents

• APA resources

• Clinical requirements and forms

• Information on graduation

• Other miscellaneous items such as services for students

“Ask Your Program Questions Here” Discussion Forum

• Students can ask program level questions of the coordinator, advisor,

and/or other students. Examples of questions include:

• I work full time-would two courses together be too much?

• How long after graduation for my diploma to list my degree?

• Which class would work best with that one?

• How to I obtain my PHN Certification?

• Any suggestions for a gen. ed. in…..

“Coffee with Colleagues” Discussion Forum

A place for learners to network with one another and share information.

Examples of postings include:

• MSN or DNP? I am curious what ideas/opinions are out there I am

wondering if anyone knows how to get this download (MS Office)?

• Does anyone have these 2 text books they are willing to sell?

• I have the following books for sale…

• Job openings at my company

• Can someone please remind me where I can watch that video of how

to look articles up on the library.

Virtual Symposium (Discussion Area)

• Virtual research conference

• When live conference not feasible

• Inclusion of distance learners

• Inclusion of learners with family and career obligations

• Virtual Posters

• Virtual Presentations (PPTS)

• Place for interaction (Q & A between presenters and attendees)

• Can see many works in a short amount of time, not have to “man” poster or present live, so don’t have to miss out on others’ presentations.

E-Folio (Dropbox)

• Learners can’t access dropbox in courses after they close, but can access VMC any time in program

• Place for learners to file major assignments for courses for easy access

• Accreditation-demonstrate program outcomes met

• Capstone Course and or Project-draw back on assignments from previous projects so can synthesize into a whole

Conclusions & ImplicationsThe Virtual Message Center

• is an effective and efficient means of disseminating program information

to a large program of online students and may also be useful for “live”

programs.

• is a streamlined way to deliver and receive program level information and

to ask questions and receive answers regarding anything pertaining to the

program.

• immensely cuts down on student e-mails, phone calls and confusion

regarding aspects of the program.

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

References

• Sit, J. W., Chung, J. W., Chow, M. C., & Wong. K. (2005). Experiences of online learning: Students’ perspective. Nurse Education Today, 25, 140-147. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2004.11.004

Contact

• Dr. Laura Schwarz, DNP, RN, CNE

• Minnesota State University, Mankato

• [email protected]

• 763-228-6105

Acknowledgements

• Clipart courtesy of MS Office

• Photo images courtesy of Bing Images Creative Commons (free to share and use)