The course statistics option can be used to generate reports on module usage and activity. Faculty are able to view information either about a specific student or the whole module. The information appears in numerically and graphically. It is also possible to download this information in spread sheet form.
Blackboard acquires this information by calculating the number of hits. A hit is defined as a screen refresh, therefore every time the student clicks on an area it's counted as 1 hit. For example a student wishing to access a message within a discussion board will acquire 4 hits.
The student accesses the Communication area. (1 hit)
They then click on discussion board (1 hit)
Then they click on the Forum name (1hit)
Finally they click on the message (1hit)
Giving a total of 4 hits
Therefore the statistics only provide a guide to student usage and activity and not accurate statistics. However they can still be useful. Using the statistics it's possible to identify the most popular access days, with this knowledge you can post messages and documents appropriately so that your message is seen by the majority of students. It is also possible to identify students that haven't accessed Blackboard, allowing you to find out the reason why.
Accessing the Course Statistics
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Go to the Control Panel and click on the area Course Statistics which can be found in the Assessment area.
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On the Course Statistics form Section 1 covers the report type, use the drop down box to highlight the type of report that you require.
Overall summary of usage provides information about all areas of Blackboard.
Access by Content Area provides information specific to the content areas e.g. Module documents etc.
Access by Groups provides information specific to the individual groups that you may have created.
Access by Forum provides information specifically about the discussion forums that you may have set up.
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Section 2 covers the filter options, it allows you to choose a particular time period, however this must be within the last 30 days. Leaving the date blank will provide the statistics for the last 30 days. At this level you can also decide whether or not you want the statistics for an individual or the whole cohort. The default setting is all users. Choose your settings then click Submit.
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The statistics are generated and reported numerically and graphically.
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It is possible using the buttons at the top of the report to Change the Filter, to Print the Report or to Export the Data as a spreadsheet. Simply click on the required option.
Need Further Assistance?
If you can't find the information you require please contact the MBU Center for Distance Learning at 314-744-5349 or distancelearning@mobap.edu.
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