This document provides an overview and definitions of various technologies that may be used in online courses, including discussion boards, wikis, videos, Google Documents, assessments, and Blackboard. Discussion boards allow for communication and sharing thoughts with classmates and instructors. Wikis enable collaboration through group assignments where members can add and edit content. Videos deliver course content primarily through YouTube. Google Documents facilitates collaboration through shared word processing documents. Assessments measure learning through tests, quizzes and surveys on Blackboard. Blackboard itself is the learning management system that delivers course content and materials online.

1. Technology Overview
Discussion Boards
Wikis
Videos
Google Documents
Assessments
Blackboard

2. Discussion Boards
Definition: online bulletin boards where people with similar interests can
discuss and debate various topics. (Discussion Boards.)
 This is a tool used for: Communication
 Student will post an initial message as a reply to an Instructors prompt.
The student will then reply to other student’s initial posts as well as any
student response to there own post
 The discussion board is a great place to share your thoughts and
feelings about the current course material with your classmates and
instructor
 Example: Click on Discussions in the course menu to the left to be
navigated to a demo discussion.

3. Technology Overview
Discussion Boards
Wikis
Videos
Google Documents
Assessments
Blackboard

4. Wikis
Definition: “A space designed to be created and edited by groups of
persons.” (Simonson, M., et al, 2012, p.129)
 This tool is used for: Collaboration and Communication
 The wiki will be used in your course for group assignments. Each
group will have there own wiki and each member will have the ability
to add any material they see fit
 The group members will also have the ability to edit and delete
material with the groups consent.
 Example: Click on Wiki on the left in the course menu to be navigated
to a wiki demo.

5. Technology Overview
Discussion Boards
Wikis
Videos
Google Documents
Assessments
Blackboard

6. Videos
 The videos in the course will be used to deliver and help you
understand the weekly course content. These videos will mostly likely
be found on YouTube.
 This tool is used for: Delivery of Learning Material
 The videos for your course will either be embedded in the weekly
session page or a link will be provided.
 Example: YouTube

7. Technology Overview
Discussion Boards
Wikis
Videos
Google Documents
Assessments
Blackboard

8. Google Documents
Definition: “Google Docs is a Web-based document management
application for creating and editing private and public, word processing
and spreadsheet documents.”(Janssen, C.)
 This tool is used for: Collaboration
 Google Documents is a tool that will allow you to create a word
processing documents.
 Multiple users can view and edit the same document at the same time
 Example: Google Documents

9. Technology Overview
Discussion Boards
Wikis
Videos
Google Documents
Assessments
Blackboard

10. Assessments
Definition: “the process of measuring, documenting, and interpreting
behaviors that demonstrate learning.”(Simonson, M., et al, 2012, p. 263)
 This tool is used for: Tests, Quizzes, and Surveys
 In your online courses your instructors will use the assessment tool of
Blackboard to provide all of your tests, quizzes and surveys in an online
format.
 The assessments have options for time limit, forced completion, and the
ability to save your progress and return later. Make sure to read the
rules of each assessment completely before beginning the assessment.
 Example: There will be a short assessment available for you to take at
the end of this course. Do not worry it is not worth any points!

11. Technology Overview
Discussion Boards
Wikis
Videos
Google Documents
Assessments
Blackboard

12. Blackboard
Definition: Blackboard is a Learning Management System (LMS) which is
defined as “software systems designed to assist in the management of
educational courses for students” (Simonson, M., et al., 2012, p. 162)
 This tool is used for: Content Delivery
 Blackboard is the system that allows your instructors to upload and
deliver course content and materials to you via the internet.
 You will be using Blackboard to access your course, submit
assignments, and communicate with peers and instructors for all of your
online courses.

13. References
 Janssen, C. (n.d.). What is Google Docs? - Definition from Techopedia.
Techopedias. Retrieved July 18, 2014, from
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/13626/google-docs
 Discussion Boards. (n.d.). Blackboard Student Support. Retrieved July
18, 2014, from http://ualr.edu/blackboard/welcome/how-to/discussions/

 Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching
and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.)
Boston, MA: Pearson.