Recently, Nicholls students have complained about the lack of professors who use Blackboard.Many instructors said that Blackboard is “complicated and a waste of time.”

Joseph Thysell, professor of history and social sciences, said that Blackboard is fairly simple, but it takes some getting used to.

“There are all kind of things to learn,” Thysell said. “Once you get used to it though, it’s not that bad.”

The University holds technology training classes throughout the year and the University’s website includes links to guides that explain how to use the Blackboard resource, but many instructors said they still have trouble.

Lloyd Chaisson, professor of Mass Communication, said that he has experienced problems with Blackboard and has heard other instructors encounter many of the same issues.

“I like my life simple and Blackboard is not simple,” Chaisson said. “Without Blackboard, I’m pretty serene.”

Daniel Ruiz, speech instructor, said he uses Blackboard daily to post announcements, grading guidelines, lecture notes, quizzes and exams.

“We have this amazing communication tool to use and it is a shame to hear that so many professors and instructors on campus do not use it effectively,” Ruiz said. “The learning process has changed, and instead of fighting technology and alienating those students who have grown up in the digital age, we need to find new ways to reach them and provide them better tools to achieve.”

Ruiz said Blackboard contains all the resources we need.

“It is our responsibility as faculty members to reach our students in the most effective ways, and that requires getting used to the technology that they rely on the most for communication outside of the class lecture room,” Ruiz said.