Scott Wright, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor, Instructional Design
Tackling the Unseen in Online Learning: The Invisible Curriculum
In online education, success hinges on what we teach and how we teach it. This brings us to the concept of the invisible curriculum – those subtle, non-academic challenges that can make or break a student’s learning experience. As we prepare for our exciting transition to Blackboard Ultra at UAMS in Fall 2024, understanding and addressing this invisible curriculum is more important than ever. Our recent collaboration with the College of Nursing has highlighted innovative ways to tackle these challenges.
A Collaborative Approach to Unseen Challenges
We noticed that our nursing students often struggled with things like unclear assignment guidelines and complex course navigation – typical examples of the invisible curriculum. In response, we teamed up with the College of Nursing to develop a template that addresses these issues head-on.
Streamlining Learning with Clear, Structured Templates
Our goal was clear and focused: to eliminate ambiguity. The template we developed introduces each module with well-defined objectives, leading to a structured compilation of lectures, readings, and practical assignments. For example, a module in a nursing fundamentals course on patient care would begin with distinct learning objectives, such as understanding patient safety protocols or mastering basic patient care techniques. This is followed by a series of interactive lectures using Kaltura that detail best practices, supplemented with case studies for real-world application, all organized for straightforward navigation and engagement.
Maximizing Blackboard Ultra’s Potential
Looking ahead to Blackboard Ultra, we’re excited about leveraging its user-friendly features. Its streamlined interface, for example, will allow students to access course materials and support resources – like a “Help” section with FAQs – with just a few clicks. This simplifies navigation and empowers students to find help whenever needed.
A Call to Action: Preparing for a Seamless Transition
As our faculty members start crafting their online courses for the upcoming term and beyond, this is the perfect opportunity to think about how custom templates can enhance your programs. The right template can significantly diminish the invisible curriculum, making online learning more accessible and engaging.
Collaborate with Us
If you’re considering adapting your courses for Blackboard Ultra, we have good news. A generic Ultra template has already been developed to cater to various instructional needs. However, we understand that each program has its unique requirements. Therefore, David White and I are more than ready to sit down with you to tailor this template to fit the specific needs of your course or program. Let’s connect and collaborate to ensure that your transition to Blackboard Ultra not only runs smoothly but also results in an online learning experience that’s both efficient and deeply impactful for our students.
Here’s to making this journey a collaborative success!