Sharing my Learning Environment

     The environment that I have selected is a Learning Management System (LMS).  The LMS that I have chosen is course sites.  Course sites is Blackboard’s free LMS.  I have experience using a Moodle platform when I worked at an educational institution, but last semester I wanted to try something different and opted to use course sites by Blackboard.  In order to keep the MALET work consistent, I am again choosing course sites to develop this project.  To access this site I would need the participants' email address' so an access code can be emailed to you.  The email will give you the directions to access the course.  The general link to Blackboard course sites is: https://www.coursesites.com/webapps/Bb-sites-course-creation-BBLEARN/pages/index.html

Below is a screenshot of my information literacy page on Blackboard course sites:

      The Moodle platform was much easier for me to design than the Blackboard.  There are many reasons for this.  The school that I was working with had a contract with Moodle.  There was a person employed by the institution whose sole job was to help facilitate the use of Moodle.  If I had a question or problem, there was instant support.  The institution also provided 1 shot courses on facilitating Moodle.  I am on my own with Blackboard course sites.  I called the course sites help line once.  My question was answered, but it took almost an hour to resolve.

     The course sites LMS does have the qualities I need to design a learning module.  You can develop course content in print.  You can link to outside websites, documents and videos.  You can upload your own videos.  There are various types of assessments that can be custom designed.  They can be multiple choice, True and False, short answer or essay.  They can be automatically graded or  the instructor can grade them individually.  There will be automated information on time and dates of submitted work.  There will be forums and discussion boards for questions and support for socio-constructive learning.  I am learning more as I go - similar to situated learning theory.