Learning Objects Campus Pack™
Faculty Directions, Fall 2006
by Steve NodineCCIT Educational Technology Services
New Tools for Wikis, Blogs and Blackboard text searches.
Clemson has introduced a new package of Learning Extensions in Blackboard that enhances group projects and expands individual assignments through the use of wikis (collaborative, media-rich Web sites) and blogs (personal journal Web sites). In a relatively short period in early summer Campus Pack wowed faculty and staff, offering tools that drew students and faculty together in collaborative efforts. The results of these early pilot tests promised some exciting results and created quite a stir among faculty before this addition to our suite of tools could even be formally announced.
Journal LX™
Journal LX can be likened to a Web log (blog) tool. It can be administered at the course level or at an assignment level within a course. Journal LX gives instructors and students the tools to create rich media journals within a course. The tool provides the classroom community a forum to reflect on course-related topics, projects, thoughts, and ideas. Students can review and comment on their peers' postings, and instructors can also participate to guide and encourage the development of ideas and final products.
Teams LX™
Teams LX is a collaborative project tool like a wiki. It also can be administered at the course level or at an assignment level within a course. Teams LX uses wiki technology to provide students and instructors with tools for collaboratively creating rich media websites within the course management environment. Sharing a common online workspace, users create content, assemble research, and present their work. Teams LX maintains a history of Teams pages, so instructors can assess the contributions of each group member.
Expo LX™
Expo LX allows each user to build a personal "web site" that includes both wikis and blogs. Expo LX is a personal website builder and blogging tool. Flexible and easy to configure, Expo LX allows users to create websites for a wide array of purposes. Images, uploaded files, and links to external resources add to the richness of the shared sites. These web sites can be shared with other Blackboard users at Clemson, and can even be exported and placed on non-Blackboard web sites.
Search LX™
Search LX allows a user to search throughout her/his courses and organizations (workgroups) for text found in headings or materials. Search LX empowers users to perform full text searches of all content in their courses. The application searches all types of uploaded files, including DOC, PDF, and HTML, and it respects user access rights.
Note: Journal LX and Teams LX are available in Blackboard courses and workgroups. Instructors and workgroup leaders can configure them from the Control Panel. Search LX and Expo LX are available to all users from the MyCLEmson tab. At this time these tools are not listed by default on that tab, so users will first need to select "Modify Contents" on the MyCLEmson tab and check the boxes for these two tools.
While Blackboard has included the ability to place students in groups and provides group discussions, chats and file-sharing, these Campus Pack learning extensions represent a quantum leap in engaging and energizing students as they explore topics and develop projects.
By the way, Campus Pack learning extensions are available for Blackboard workgroups as well as courses. Student groups, committees, and faculty and staff teams can use Teams LX and the other extensions to creatively enhance their efforts.
For more information on Campus Pack Learning Extensions visit www.learningobjects.com/products/campus-pack.html. Faculty can sign up for instructor-led training on Learning Objects. Questions should be emailed to trainer@clemson.edu.