Evaluation of the blackboard learn learning management system for full online courses in western branch colleges of Qassim university

Abstract

With recent advances in information technology, higher education institutions began to transit from existing, traditional teaching methods to the alternative Blackboard Learn Learning Management System (LMS) from Blackboard Inc. In this context, the western branch colleges of Qassim University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia started using the Blackboard Learn LMS for e-learning for the first time in the academic year of 2016. At the first stage of the project, the Deanship of e-learning launched ecourses for full Islamic 101 and full Islamic 102 online in the university and trained all faculty members and students in the new e-course full level programs. Based on the newly developed, full online courses, a survey was conducted in the college of the western branch of Qassim University regarding difficulties and limitations, and the faculty members and student's satisfaction regarding Blackboard Learn using full online courses on campus. A detailed evaluation of the survey concludes that the implementation of e-courses is a significant step forwards, but that it required significant work to gain necessary improvement.