This fall, ATUS surveyed Blackboard instructors to determine the general level of satisfaction with Blackboard as the online teaching and learning environment for WWU.

Survey responses came from instructors with a wide range of experience using Blackboard, with most responders indicating weekly or even daily usage of the product.

Satisfaction levels were generally high. Eighty-three percent indicated that they were either very or somewhat satisfied with Blackboard’s “ease of use” while 85% found the “features and options” satisfactory. The lowest level of satisfaction occurred with the product’s reliability, although 77% of respondents still gave the application high marks. Ninety-six percent of those responding said that they planned to use Blackboard again.

Even though the survey showed a high level of satisfaction with Blackboard, many faculty members did express a willingness to consider alternatives. A review of responses from several questions leads us to believe that there is not a great deal of brand loyalty to Blackboard. If another product demonstrates the same features, is as easy to use, and would allow instructors to easily switch, then most faculty seemed open to making a change. It is easy to conclude, then, that faculty members simply desire a quality online course management system regardless of the developer.

When asked how we could help instructors increase their effectiveness with Blackboard, most responses suggested that we continue our training classes to include advanced features as well as showcasing use through open forums.

In response to these findings, ATUS has

• dedicated more resources toward faculty development now and in the future,
• increased our delivery of advanced workshops
• considered options for delivering additional instructional design assistance
• examined methods of improving the current reliability of Blackboard
• improved our service relationship with Blackboard support
• continued to analyze competing products should there develop a compelling reason to make a change

To read the complete “Blackboard Satisfaction Survey Report,” go to www.wwu.edu/bbsatisfactionsurvey . As always, if you have further suggestions, questions, or comments about Blackboard support from ATUS, please contact me at 650-6538.