5.1.A Provide a short summary of the project written in lay language suitable for non-scientific REB members. DO NOT exceed 100 words and do not cut and paste directly from the study protocol.
UBC’s current learning management system will be fully replaced by Blackboard Learn 9.1 by June 2014. The system serves as a flexible online classroom space, supporting the delivery of blended and full distance course modalities. To facilitate a smooth transition the implementation includes a pilot phase to provide an opportunity to better understand the user experience, professional development needs and system operations prior to the broader rollout. This mixed-methods study will inform that process.
5.1.B Summarize the research proposal: Research Questions
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staff, teaching assistants and faculty – who participated in the Winter Term 2 (January 2012), Summer Terms 1 and 2 (May 2012) and Winter Term 1 (September 2012) course offerings delivered via the new Blackboard Learn 9 learning management system (LMS)?
• To what extent did the structures, materials and personnel available provide thee users with the support needed to work within this new LMS environment?
• What recommendations can be made for the broader rollout of Blackboard Learn 9 across UBC?
The purpose of this study is to inform the subsequent wider roll-out of Blackboard Learn 9 across the University, including operating procedures, educational development and user support. These findings will also be of interest to other
institutions faced with similar decisions to make. We are taking an empirical, rigorous approach to evaluating users’
experiences, using recognized and reliable social research methods.
5.2. Inclusion Criteria. Describe the subjects being selected for this study, and list the criteria for their inclusion. For research involving human pluripotent stem cells, provide a detailed description of the stem cells being used in the research.
Four Blackboard Learn 9 user groups - students enrolled in these courses, course instructor(s), course teaching assistant(s), and instructional support staff –are eligible for the study.
5.3. Exclusion Criteria. Describe which subjects will be excluded from
participation, and list the criteria for their exclusion.
Students not enrolled in a Blackboard Learn 9 course at UBC will not be included in the study. Course Instructors who are not teaching a course at UBC using Blackboard Learn 9 will not be included in the study. Teaching Assistants not supporting a course at UBC in Blackboard Learn 9 will not be included in the study. Instructional Support Staff not supporting a course at UBC in Blackboard Learn 9 will not be included in the study.
5.4. Provide a detailed description of the method of recruitment. For example, describe who will contact prospective subjects and by what means this will be done. Ensure that any letters of initial contact or other recruitment materials are attached to this submission on Page 9.
Students enrolled in Blackboard Learn 9 courses will be sent an invitation to participate in the study by the Evaluations & Research Coordinator, Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology. The Evaluations and Research Coordinator will contact students through the Student Information System. The message will provide contact information for the Evaluations & Research Coordinator for those who wish to participate. Faculty, teaching assistants and support staff information is contained in a database held by the Blackboard Learn 9 rollout team. This information will be given to the Evaluations & Research Coordinator, who will send each person an individual invitation to participate in the study via email. The Evaluations & Research Coordinator will keep a separate, password protected database of participants distinct from the data sets generated by completing questionnaires or participating in focus groups or individual interviews.
5.5. Describe how prospective
normal/control subjects will be identified, contacted, and recruited, if the method
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5.6 If existing records (e.g. health records, clinical lists or other records/databases) will be used to IDENTIFY potential subjects, please describe how permission to access this information, and to collect and use this information will be obtained.
Students will be contacted through the Student Information System (SIS) by the Evaluation and Research Coordinator. This system does not display the email address of students; it only allows authorized persons to send an email to students currently enrolled in relevant UBC courses.
5.7. Summary of Procedures
Potential student participants will be notified through an e-mail sent using the Student Information System, by the Evaluations and Research Coordinator, Centre for Teaching Learning and Technology about the study beginning in February 2012. The notification will include a link to the online questionnaire that is anonymous, which will be open for 7 days. The last question of the questionnaire will ask if the student is willing to participate in a follow-up focus group or individual interview and for those willing to participate to provide an email address so the
research team can follow up.
After the questionnaire data have been analyzed, a random sample of students who were willing to participate in a focus group or individual interview will be contacted by email to see if they are still interested and to arrange a time. At each point of contact students will be advised that their participation in the study is voluntary, that they can choose to not answer any/all questions, and that they can withdraw from the study without penalty at any time.
Potential faculty, teaching assistant and support staff participants will be contacted about the study beginning in February 2012, via email by the Evaluations & Research Coordinator. The notification will include a link to the online questionnaire that is anonymous, which will be open for 7 days. The last question of the questionnaire will ask if the participant is willing to participate in a follow-up focus group or individual interview and for those willing to participate to provide an email address so the research team can follow up.
After the questionnaire data have been analyzed, a random sample of faculty, teaching assistant and support staff
participants who were willing to participate in a focus group or individual interview will be contacted by email to see if they are still interested and to arrange a time.
Potential faculty, teaching assistant and support staff participants will be contacted again about the final
questionnaire in April 2012, via email by the Evaluations & Research Coordinator. This short questionnaire is largely qualitative; there will be no invitation to focus groups or individual interviews.
At each point of contact participants will be advised that their participation in the study is voluntary, that they can choose to not answer any/all questions, and that they can withdraw from the study without penalty at any time.