VDM Verlag Learning Management System "BLACKBOARD? DESIGN": BLACKBOARD? DESIGN: STUDENTS? PERCEPTIONS OF, ITS EASE OF USE, USEFULNESS, MOTIVATION AND COMMUNICATION TO ENHANCE STUDENTS LEARNING

Learning Management System (LMS) software package is used to help the less technologically savvy educators to overcome the burden of designing their own websites as teaching tools Blackboard? was rated as the best leading online tool to enhance the learning and teaching environment especially after the merging with WebCt The purpose of this study was to investigate students? perceptions of the use of Blackboard? design to improve their learning by answering the following questions Do students perceive Blackboard? as an easy to use learning tool? Do students perceive Blackboard? as a useful learning tool? Does Blackboard? provide an environment that is interesting and motivating for students? Do students perceive Blackboard? features as improving communication with their peers and their instructors? Does Blackboard? design provide feedback mechanisms to improve student learning? What features would students like to see added to Blackboard?? Two hundred and five undergraduate and graduate students from different colleges in United States within Midwestern University answered the survey