Bond University is the only Australian university among eight international Platinum Winners of the 2012 Blackboard Catalyst Awards, which honour those who push the boundaries of their educational programs and technology in order to deliver innovative and effective learning experiences.
Bond received the highest honour in the Mobile Innovation for Teaching and Learning category, which recognises the use of mobile technology to positively impact the educational experience.
Director of Bond University’s Office of Quality Teaching and Learning, Dr Shelley Kinash, will accept the award on behalf of Bond during Blackboard’s annual user conference, BbWorld, to be held in New Orleans in July.
She says Bond University is committed to enabling mobile technology in and beyond the classroom.
“We were the first Australian university to go live with the Blackboard Mobile Learn app and we will continue to strive to remain at the forefront of these technologies for the educational benefit of our students,” said Dr Kinash.
“Research undertaken here at Bond by myself and my colleague Associate Professor Jeffrey Brand, found that 88% of students felt that there was benefit in blended learning with internet-connected devices used during class.
“Our results showed students who had access to mobile devices loaded with the Blackboard Mobile Learn app and enhanced e-text achieved, on average, better grades across a range of assessment pieces than those who did not.”
Dr Kinash said mobile technology also allows students to stay virtually connected to the classroom to learn wherever, whenever they want to.
“Along with the convenience aspect, it also encourages active participation as teachers and students co-construct knowledge and can interact in formal and informal sessions,” said Dr Kinash.
In launching the official Bond University Mobile app for Apple and Google Android devices last week, Dr Grace Saw, Director Information Services said, “Students now have the University in the palm of their hand.”
Blackboard is a global leader in enterprise technology and innovative solutions that improve the experience of millions of students and learners around the world every day.
Click to view a complete list of Blackboard Catalyst Award winners.
Click to view a video on Blackboard Mobile Learn use at Bond University.