With the rise of technology in education and the use of Blackboard becoming popular at Ohio University, some professors are still sticking to the “old-fashioned” way of teaching.
Though uncommon, those who avoid the use of Blackboard have found efficient and engaging ways to enhance the classroom experience.
“I think it’s useful for students to get comfortable with teachers,” said Harold Winter, professor of economics.
Winter is currently in his twenty-first year of teaching at OU and until this year had never used technology in any capacity in his courses.
For the first time Spring Semester, Winter said he used email to send out his course syllabus rather than printing copies for class.
“There is a style to teaching, and style is subjective,” Winter said.
Another professor at OU, Kevin Mattson, has adopted a similar philosophy, though for different reasons.
Mattson, the Connor Study Professor of Contemporary History at OU, uses “Course Reserves”, a service offered through Alden Library that makes PDF versions of readings and other course materials available to students without the use of Blackboard.
Mattson said that Blackboard operates as a corporate agency and that there are side effects to using their website because of this.
Despite the “change of pace,” both professors commented that students seem to have a positive reaction once they realize how the class operates.
“I enjoy a personal approach in the classroom. It creates better relationships between the students and professors,” said Shawn Rudolph, a sophomore studying journalism.
“I think teaching should be a personal experience, and technology is making it less personal,” Winter said.
Winter added that he has never used a Scantron for a test and grades all tests by hand. He has never used PowerPoint or even an overhead projector. Chalk and a real blackboard are all he uses.
Though Blackboard’s interface might seem easier for some professors, Mattson believes that “academic freedom” is important.
“If anyone was required to use Blackboard to teach, you’d have a serious academic freedom violation. Professors are hired for their expertise. They all have different approaches to learning. No one can or should be required to use a specific method — especially not one offered by a company looking for a profit and captured market,” Mattson said.
jr200009@ohiou.edu
