MELA Meeting Minutes 2003 - 2017

iii. Association members were asked to create lists of rights/privileges we would like to have included in these roles.

D. Strategic Plan Implementation Update i. Ms. McCrimon said that the oversight committee had met and would meet again at the Mississippi Association of Colleges conference in October. ii. Mr. Smith reminded association that if we didn’t get the implementation plan done, we might be faced with having a plan handed to us by the oversight committee. iii. Ms. McCrimon stated that Sub-Committees should present a progress report on their strategic initiative on October 6 at the next DLC meeting.

VI.

Blackboard Day A. October 13, 2004 members asked what would be covered during this session. B. Ms. Givens reminded colleges to submit the names of the people who would be attending.

VII.

Other A. Mr. Yates expressed a concern about the load that adjunct instructors carry and what SACS might think about some who are teaching for multiple colleges. B. Grade changes i. Ellene McCrimon stated that colleges need to use an official grade change form since some colleges require an instructor’s signature. Mark Smith suggested that a grade change form be included in the enrollment tool. Ms. McCrimon said that she had mentioned this to Ive Burnett and that we need to follow up on this. C. Alicia Shows asked when the ability to create users in Blackboard would be turned back on. Beverlin explained that it would not because of the organization/portal addition. She asked that members send any users that need to be created to her. D. Audra Kimble asked if bylaws had ever been adopted. None have been adopted. Members should bring ideas or suggestions for bylaw additions. Bylaws will be revisited at the next DLC meeting. E. Mark Smith cautioned members that some students think Desire2Learn and Blackboard communicate. Students who have classes on both platforms may need to be reminded that when they change their passwords, it needs to be done in both. F. Alicia Shows asked how instructors were taking to D2L. Most responded that instructors were nervous. Mark Smith added that MGCCC instructors are very pleased with D2L and are all ready to move to this platform. These instructors have incurred so many problems with Blackboard that they are frustrated with this system, especially the testing function G. Mr. Smith asked how the state would feel about having a dual platform state. Most said they thought it would be confusing. Mr. Yates asked about revisiting the MSVCC hosting of Blackboard rather than paying for Blackboard to provide the service noting that it may end up being more cost effective. H. Jennifer Leimer asked if DLCs have trained their instructors on teaching with Desire2Learn. Most said no. Many expressed that the instructors who went to the initial training were not pleased. Ms. Leimer suggested that perhaps the association should consider evaluating alternative platforms again. I. Members spoke with Ive Burnett about adding the following features to the enrollment tool:

i. Notation on student profile indicating whether students are verified or not. ii. Prevent students from self enrolling when no classes have been selected. iii. Email distribution list on course roster.

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