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[zharkov]

I'd like to ask forumites to share their experiences -- good or bad -- with using course management system add-ins from textbook publishers.  As I understand it, the publisher supplies content to add to one's Blackboard site, say, which accompanies the textbook. Thus if one was doing a course on algebra, the publisher supplies readings, problems, quiz content, etc., that the prof uploads into Blackboard.  (Or, in Moodle, via SCORM.)

Thanks, Z

 

[dept_geek]

Hi Z

I will load the test banks, and then ----- after checking each problem very very carefully -- use them for quizzes and study guides. I'm still amazed that the test bank people don't check their own work. Some of the "answers" are very funny.

I make up my own exams. This is because I don't use the lecture note material that comes with the packages. It's usually not very imaginative... a re-run of the text. I like to make up my own stuff to compliment (not echo) the text.

The content between publishers varies widely, so read carefully. Oh. And stay far away from the ones that require an additional access code that the student needs to *purchase* before they can access some material. (A) The material isn't always great, and (B) it's one more stupid administration thing you will need to deal with.

HTH

[doublemocha]

I've previously used a course-pack from one of my textbook publishers, but found that the pack just provided links to the text's companion website (and extra Blackboard cleanup for the stuff I didn't want to use). Now I just link directly to the companion website; it saves a few clicks.

[finallyfullprof]

The first time I did this, I was shocked at how awful it was. I used my own material within WebCT but uploaded some modules and test banks.  The test bank had so many errors in it that I spent most of the first half of the term making corrections and regrading quizzes. I am embarrassed to tell you it never occurred to me that the material would need to be checked prior to being uploaded.  I was so upset that I ended up writing to the textbook author and the publisher to tell them about my experience.  I got a free book out of it and a promise that when the book went to the next edition, the materials would be cleaned up. They turned out to be somewhat better but still not debugged by any means.