Fall 2002: CS333 - Problem Solving and Object Oriented Programming in
C++
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In the past, I have used LOTUS Learning Space to handle quizzes. Learning Space used to be the distance education system of choice for the University. However recently the University has switched to the Blackboard web learning system. For this semester I am experimenting with Blackboard and will offer it as an option for taking quizzes. You may choose either method of taking quizzes. Here are the differences as I currently see them.
Learning Space: We always seem to have start up problems with learning space each semester - mostly with getting student accounts set up. It usually takes a couple of weeks to work through these problems. Also some students experience problems with their browser setups when taking quizzes and sometimes the systems crashes in the middle of taking a quiz and you must start over. So with all these problems why support this at all? The main advantage of Learning Space is that you can use one password for taking quizzes, submitting assignments and viewing progress. This password allows you access to the Department of Computer Sciences' UNIX system which allows you an alternate programming environment plus the ability to host web sites. (You will still have a UNIX/Learning Space account if you choose to use the Blackboard quiz taking system, but then you will need two user IDs and passwords.
Blackboard: I experimented with this system some last semester and I like what I saw. But since I have not tried it with real students, I am not sure what problems you will experience in using it. Since this system is run by the University, I am not sure of what kind of support for resolving problems I will get (The Learning Space system I use is run by the Department and I can resolve problems rather quickly in most cases). The major disadvantage I know of at this time is that you must use your University LOTUS account to access the system. Since you will need to use the Department account to access your personal progress and portfolios, this means that you need to use two different accounts to take this course.