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

c.murphy1@ulster.ac.uk

90366140

02H04

David McClureCopyright Services Development Officer

dj.mcclure@ ulster.ac.uk

70124364 

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