For students, the internet is starting to replace the classroom.

Thanks to the online course server of Blackboard, professors are able to post class notes and assignments for students on the Internet. The service’s impact on the instructor-student relationship is a debated topic.

Four views on the impact of Blackboard on Academics

David Ballantine, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, uses Blackboard for his classes. He posts his class notes, quizzes and homework assignments for students to access, and also uses it to allow students to view their grades.

Ballantine believes Blackboard is a positive tool.

“It makes communication between [students and instructors] a little easier,” Ballantine said. “Students are more likely to send an e-mail than come to the office.”

Ballantine added that he feels students are more likely to get class materials off Blackboard than they are to get them from class.

Jennifer Punzi, a senior special education major, finds Blackboard useful, but feels that it can negatively impact class participation.

“I think with all the class notes accessible online before class, students are less motivated to go to class if they already have the information,” Punzi said. “It’s really beneficial because you can see where you are in the class as far as grades go, and if you miss a class you can get the notes and know what’s going on.”

That being said, Blackboard is no substitute for being present in class, Ballantine said.

“If a student is less inclined to come see the professor, Blackboard won’t help either way,” he said.

Tekkahmah Curry, a graduate assistant for the Center of Black Studies and the Department of Literacy Education, uses Blackboard to supplement class activities.

Curry said she checks to see how often students check Blackboard, then compares that number to their grade at the end of the semester to determine how much the supplemented material helped.

Blackboard can open up the communication lines between students and professors, Curry said.

“For students, depending on what materials are available, it works as a supplement,” she said. “For instructors, they can gauge if a student is honing in on the material and if a student is getting the material.”

Sean Woyna, a junior sociology major, said despite notes being available on Blackboard, he still attends class and uses Blackboard to aid him in collecting material for class.

“Blackboard has helped me take notes because I’m not trying furiously to write down everything the teacher is saying,” Woyna said. “It allows me to take notes on the notes.”