by Distance Learning

Online Learning Environments (Learning Management Systems)

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Online learning environments or Learning Management Systems (LMS) provide access to course materials, discussion forums, workshops, tests, surveys, simple blogs and wikis, and online assessment via the internet.

Other features include the ability to upload assignments, and link directly from course material to other web-based information.

Blackboard

Blackboard is the University’s most commonly used LMS and the only one supported by the University’s Information Technology Services (ITS).

If you are considering using Blackboard for the first time, remember that:

  • ITS provides a number of Blackboard training courses. The two-hour “Getting Started” course should be considered minimum training and can be booked via the IT Training Courses site.
  • There is an extensive help site available here.

Support is offered via the ITS Service Desk - see contact details below. Your query will either be answered by Service Desk staff, or escalated to the ITS eLearning team.

Papers using Blackboard must be registered in advance with ITS. The form is available on the ITS website. Once registered for its initial semester, your paper’s registration can simply be rolled over for subsequent offerings.

There is no charge for using Blackboard.

If you need help with Blackboard, please contact:

ITS Service Desk:
Web help.otago.ac.nz/blackboard
Email its.servicedesk@otago.ac.nz
Tel Freephone (NZ only) 0800 479 888
Phone 64 3 479 8888

Moodle

Some of you may be using Moodle, rather than Blackboard. If you are teaching within the Division of Health Sciences, you may use Moodle, rather than Blackboard. If you are unsure, all the information about Moodle use and which departments and programmes which make use of Moodle can be found here.