Office of Digital Learning
The Office of Digital Learning is the bridge between academics and technology at Illinois Institute of Technology. Our core mission is to work with faculty to promote active learning in face-to-face, blended, or online courses. Using instructional design principles and educational technology, we partner with faculty and create enriching learning experiences to improve learning outcomes for all Illinois Tech students. Our support touches all facets of student academic experiences from initial instructional design and pedagogy to production and delivery of course content, management of exams for remote students, and more. The Office of Digital Learning also administers online courses and programs.
Blackboard Learn
Illinois Tech uses Blackboard Learn as its learning management system (LMS). The Office of Digital Learning manages day-to-day operations of Blackboard and provides faculty training and support. Students with questions about Blackboard Learn and its features should contact the Support Desk.
Every course at Illinois Tech has an electronic course shell in Blackboard. The majority of Illinois Tech faculty do utilize Blackboard to some extent and many post their course syllabus in the course shell. Please note that utilization of the LMS or any of its specific features in a particular course or course shell is entirely dependent upon the department or instructor teaching that particular course.
Online Courses and Programs
The Office of Digital Learning supports departments in the design, delivery, and administration of Illinois Tech online courses and programs. For specific details regarding a particular online course or program, the best source of information will always be the department which offers the particular course or program.
Prospective students who wish to take online courses or programs must first be admitted to a degree, certificate, or professional development program. Students in online courses or programs are Illinois Institute of Technology students and are subject to the same policies and procedures as on-campus students in face-to-face courses.
Most online program and course offerings are at the graduate level. Courses follow the same 16-week semester as the university academic calendar. Courses typically have the same faculty and follow the same syllabus. Course structure and delivery vary depending on the instructor. In many cases, online course content is created using recorded lectures of the corresponding face-to-face course. Recordings are typically made available in Blackboard within a few hours of the face-to-face-session. Online and face-to-face course sections may share a Blackboard course shell, yet the sections are distinct: students enrolled in online sections are not counted when considering room assignments for courses or exams. If a course holds exams, exams follow the same university exam schedule. Exams for remote students are coordinated through the Office of Digital Learning. Proctored exams are typically administered online or at local testing centers. Students are responsible for any additional third party fees associated with taking exams online or at testing centers. Such fees may vary widely depending on the provider selected.
