Affiliation:
1. Elizabeth City State University, USA
Abstract
In the 1980s, during the emergence of the online software called Blackboard, the academic target audience was filled with field independent learners. With the growing success of Blackboard, the availability of the new software broadened and eventually claimed the status as the number one choice of software for online education. With the acceptance of online education as an effective tool for learning, the online classroom demographics began to shift with a growing representation of field-dependent minority students. This shift in demographics also meant a shift in learning styles. This chapter highlights elements regarding the development of Blackboard and the design shift within Blackboard. It also provides practical suggestions that can be incorporated into an online instructor's pedagogy so that the 21st century online class will be more attentive to the needs of the minority, field-dependent students.