Welcome to Blackboard Learn
Alan Masson, Colette Murphy
Tuesday 15th March, 2011
Technology Facilitated LearningAccess and Distributed Learning
Session Aim
This session aims to provide an overview of the new institution virtual learning environment (VLE) Blackboard Learn and provide guidance on getting started with a Course migrated from WebCT Vista 8.
Benefits of Blackboard Learn Improved user interface New and enhanced assessment and feedback
tools Enhanced communication, collaboration and alert
tools Ability to integrate new tools and technologies
(incl. mobile access) System integrated with Active Directory (same
passwords to login) and University Email System (New feature)
Key Dates & Information Test System –
http://bblearn.ulster.ac.uk Live System
• Migration of Semester 1 Modules (Late March)• Migration of Semester 2 Modules (Late June)
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Instructor View
A. Content FrameB. Course MenuC. Control PanelD. Edit ButtonE. Page HeaderF. Breadcrumbs
A Migrated Course – What to do
1. Migration Log File2. Course Menu3. Course Tools4. Date/Time (Adaptive Release)5. Links6. Assessment Functionality7. Course Content8. Course enhancements9. Request Module Access
1. Migration Log File
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2. Course Menu:
Determining the Content Organisation – 3 common approaches
Chronological By Subject Area Type of Content
2. Course Menu – Edit items
A. Use the drag-and-drop function
to reorder links on the Course
Menu.
B. Alternatively, use the Keyboard
Accessible Reordering Tool to
reorder the links.
C. Click a link’s Action Link and
select Hide Link to make a link
unavailable to students.
2. Course Menu - Add New Course Item
1. In Edit Mode, above the Course Menu, click the plus sign.
2. Select Content Area.
3. Enter a Name for the link.
4. Select whether it will be Available to Users.
5. Click Submit.
3: Course Tools - Add a Tool Link
1. In Edit Mode, above the Course
Menu, click the Create Item
icon, shown as a plus sign.
2. Select the Tool Link.
3. Enter a Name for the link.
4. From the Type drop-down list,
select the tool to add.
5. Select whether the tool will be
Available to Users.
6. Click Submit.
4: Update Dates and Times – Adaptive Release
4: Adaptive Release Rules
4: Adaptive Release Rules
5: Check Links
Check web links throughout your course.• Absolute links (that link to a definite area within WebCT) will need to be corrected.• Check links to content (e.g. word docs, PDFs) in the Course Collection are displaying correctly.
6: Assessment Functionality
1. In Edit Mode, access
the Content Area.
2. On the Content
Area’s Action Bar,
click Create
Assessment.
3. On the drop-down
list, select
Assignment.
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Creating Assignments4. Enter a Name.
5. Add Instructions.
6. Attach a file (Optional).
7. Enter Points Possible.
8. Select Availability
and Attempt* options.*Note: Under Availability, if you allow more
than one attempt, Grade Center uses the
most recent attempt. A different attempt
can be used for the score by editing the
column in the Grade Center.
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Creating Assignments: Due Dates & Recipients
• Optionally, select a Due Date.
• Select the radio node by the intended Recipients.
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Editing and Managing Assignments
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7: Course Content Content Areas – Flexible Organization
A. Course Menu
B. Content Area
Adding Items and Tools to a Content Area
3 Creating Your Course Menu
The following can be added to Content Areas:• Items, which can contain text, files, and images• Individual tool links•Multimedia (audio, video, slide presentations)• Folders • Tests and surveys• Assignments• External Links • Course Links• Module Pages
Using the Text Editor
The first row contains functions for formatting text, similar to functions in a word processor.
The second row contains functions for working with existing text: spell check, cut and paste, undo, and markup validation.
The third row contains functions for attaching documents, images, and media files. This row appears only in selected areas within Blackboard Learn. For example, it is available when adding items to Content Areas, but not when creating questions in Test Manager.
NOTE: Collapse any row using the caret to the left of the row.
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Adding Items to a Content Area1. In Edit Mode, access the
Content Area.
2. Click on Build Content,
then select Create > Item.
3. Enter the item’s Name and
Text.
Adding Items to a Content Area4. Or, add a file(s).
5. Select viewing and
tracking options.
Editing the Items in a Content Area
Changing the Content Order
8: Course Enhancements
9: Request Module Access
http://athens.ulster.ac.uk/ModuleAccessRequest
New / Improved Tools
1. Groups Page
2. My Groups
Menu.
3. Link to Group
Homepage.
4. Group
Homepage
tailored for
each Group
Early Warning System Early Warning System rules can be set up to
monitor learner engagement and allow instructors to act upon this, e.g. monitor vulnerable students who haven’t accessed the course area in the last seven days.
Associated initiative - Copyright Staff will be required to formally sign off their VLE
content as copyright compliant from AY 2011-12 onwards (via the module access system)
Transition process – window of opportunity to review content both educationally and wrt copyright.
Copyright support resources A range of support resources have been developed by the
University Copyright Officer• www.ulster.ac.uk/copyright (note the FAQ section)• Copyright awareness course (WebCT and BbLearn)• Copyright Guidance Notice for people placing
content on a VLE (handout) These resources will be highlighted on the BbLearn
homepage Copyright queries should be sent to the University Copyright
Officer (see above website)
TFL Support Mechanisms Blackboard Learn Information Point
http://ulster.ac.uk/bbinfo On Demand Learning Centre
http://ondemand.blackboard.com/ Skills Workshop & Drop in Clinics
Thank you for listening Q&A Evaluation
Contact DetailsName Email Tel.
028…Room
Alan MassonHead of TFL
aj.masson@ ulster.ac.uk
903 66064
02H18A
Colette MurphyTechnology Supported Learning Facilitator
90366140
02H04
David McClureCopyright Services Development Officer
dj.mcclure@ ulster.ac.uk
70124364
L136