NIU has several technological options with programs such as Blackboard and WebBoard.

The NIU English department is one of the most technologically intuitive programs in the country, said Eric Hoffman, coordinator of network writing and research.

WebBoard is the technology used by most courses in the English department to have the teachers and students interact with one another.

WebBoard is a message board-type program that enables students to interact with each other about topics in the class. It allows teachers to leave their feedback as well.

“It’s a more grassroots, ground-up teaching style,” said Hoffman.

Blackboard is the main tool for the rest of NIU to interact online. Features include online quizzes and tests, a smaller message board and the ability to view grades and post documents.

“The course content is stored online for 24/7 access,” said Dan Ihm, ITS manager for Campus Web Sources. “There are a variety of tools that can enhance course lessons.”

Teachers also enjoy the available technology.

“It makes for fairly easy access to information to students,” said Kate Cady, assistant communication studies professor. “In terms of grades, it gives more information available to students outside of class they can use.”

Many students are familiar with Blackboard, but WebBoard has typically been reserved for the English department and a small number of classes elsewhere in the university.

“The things that Blackboard will let you do that WebBoard won’t, like taking multiple choice quizzes, don’t work effectively in composition-based classes,” said Hoffman. “[WebBoard] tends to work a lot better for our program.”