BLACKBOARD PROPOSAL

A proposal to save time in the classroom by using

Blackboard special features

Teachers at Dresden High School find that precious classroom time is

wasted on a regular basis. I propose that we maximize classroom time
by implementing electronic features that come with the Blackboard
software we already own. These features include online calendars, task
lists, retention center tracking, color coded grade data and automatic
due date reminders. Simply automating tasks will save teachers
precious time in the classroom.

Sarah Maier
2/24/2019
Work Breakdown Schedule: BlackBoard
1. Preparation
○ Hire a Professional Development speaker
○ PD materials
■ Outline special features including a user guide
● Calendar
● Task list
● Retention Center
● Color Code Grade Data
● Reminders
○ Blackboard Support
■ Install vendor plugins for Retention Center
■ Simplify blackboard user guides for teacher use
■ Test functionality of blackboard features
■ Create Discussion Board for PD support
■ Reference of special features
● Remind teachers to bring laptops to follow along

2. Event: Professional Development

○ Set up room
○ Special features discussed
○ Printed copies available
○ Food available if budget permits
○ Discussion Board to support teachers with
■ Tools
■ Struggles
■ Successes

3. Implementation
○ Feature #1 implemented
■ Report completion
■ Monitor implementation
○ Feature #2 implemented
■ PD list
■ OR choose different feature with approval once all five have been implemented.
■ Check in on implementation progress
○ Reporting
■ Report completion
■ Checks feature
● Useful implementation
● Facilitate assistance and instruction
○ Refer struggling teachers to technology coordinator
■ Report completion
○ Collaborate using DB
 ■ Monitors DB
■ Group teachers together according to feature choice
● Peer Leaders - teachers who already have implemented the feature

4. Incentives
○ Send out monthly staff email
■ Names teachers who implemented new features
■ Encourage teachers to implement new tools
○ L​ist of five best uses of features schoolwide
■ Teachers will be spotlighted in the school newsletter each semester
Blackboard Project -Maier

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 Cost: Blackboard
Task Name Assigned To Time Cost
Preperation
Hire a professional development speaker Principal 2 hours $94
Professional development materials developed Technology Coordinator 2 hours $70
Install vendor plugins for Blackboard Retention Technology Coordinator 2 hours $70
Center
Simplify blackboard user guides for teacher use Technology Coordinator 1 hour $35
Create Discussion Board for Teacher Support Technology Coordinator 1 hour $35
Reference of Special Features E-mailed Technology Coordinator .25 hour $9
Professional Development Day
Set up Room Janitor 1 hour $10
PD Speaker PD Speaker 3 hours $1,500
Print copies Technology Coordinator 0.5 hour $18
Food (if budget permits) Principal 2 hours $94
Food cost - - $200
Open Discussion Board Technology Coordinator 0.25 hour $9
Implementation
Feature #1 Implemented Teachers 3 hours $8,874
Teachers will report feature to be Teachers 21 hours $651
implemented
Progress check in Department Head 44 hours $1,540
Report completion Teachers 21 hours $651
Check feature and report to principal Department Head 44 hours $1,540
Feature #2 Implemented Teachers 3 hours $8,874
Teachers will report feature to be Teachers 21 hours
implemented $651
Progress check in Department Head 44 hours $1,540
Report completion Teachers 21 hours $651
Check feature and report to principal Department Head 44 hours $1,540
Collaborate on Discussion Board Teachers 2 hours $188
Monitor Discussion Board Technology Coordinator 24 hours $840
Group Teachers together according to feature Technology Coordinator 2 hours $70
Designate peer leaders Technology Coordinator 1 hour $35
Incentives
September staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
October staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
November staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
December staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
January staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
February staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
March staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
April staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
May staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
June staff progress e-mail Principal .5 hours $24
Spotlight best 5 uses in school newspaper #1 Technology Coordinator 1 hour $35
Spotlight best 5 uses in school newspaper #2 Technology Coordinator 1 hour $35
TOTAL COST: $30,098

Additional Information:
Salary Yearly Hourly
Principal $97,760 $47
Technology Coordinator $72,800 $35
Teachers $64,480 $31 83 Teachers
Department Heads $72,800 $35 11 Department Heads
94 Total Teachers
 Project Tracking: Blackboard
● Beginning in August a monthly email will be sent from the technology coordinator to the
department heads and principal with the monthly GANTT chart attached and a brief overview of
tasks that need to be completed. Here, costs will be charted as well as time spent on each task.
● Teachers will report feature completion to their department head by September 15, 2019 and
February 2, 2020. Department heads will add completion to a team spreadsheet shared between
department heads, technology coordinator and the principal.
● The department heads will check over their work by September 30, 2019 and February 15, 2020
to check that implementation has been completed on the spreadsheet. If teachers need
assistance the department head will inform the Technology Coordinator via spreadsheet.
● Department Heads will link implementations that are extraordinary so they may be spotlighted in
the newsletter at the end of each semester.
● Department heads will report final completion to the principal via spreadsheet.
● The principal will check the completed feature implementation each semester via the
spreadsheet. He will then send the monthly email of achievements to the teachers.
Conclusion
For less than half the cost of one teacher’s salary per year, Dresden High School
can easily maximize teaching time in the classroom. It is well worth our effort to
implement new blackboard features, allowing for teachers to spend more time
teaching. These simple changes will add up quickly, giving teachers more time in
the classroom for years to come.