Welcome to Blackboard Learn: An IntroductionFriday 15th April, 2011

Colette Murphy, Fiona McCloyAccess 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 preparing 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 - 2011 March - Live System http://blackboard.ulster.ac.uk

Migration of Semester 1 Modules

June (Late) - Migration of Semester 2 Modules

August - Module Access Request System Live

August/September - Migration of Semester 3 Modules

September

Blackboard Learn the primary VLE for all users, at:

http://learning.ulster.ac.uk

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Orientation – Courses Tab

A. Content FrameB. Course MenuC. Control PanelD. Edit ButtonE. Action BarF. Action LinkG. Page HeaderH. Breadcrumbs

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Orientation – Control Panel

Each Item can be expanded to show a range of related features.

Your Turn: Log in Login to http://blackbaord.ulster.ac.uk Using your AD details (Staff no. with the ‘e’ and

your AD password) Click on one of the course areas ie. One Module Click down through the course menu

Look out for hidden items and empty items Explore your content

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. Check the Migration Log File

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2A. Revise Course Menu

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.

2B. 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.

3C: Review 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 links throughout your course.1. Absolute links (a link to a definite area within WebCT) will

need to be corrected.• Build Content> Content Link

2. Check links to content (e.g. word docs, PDFs) in the Course Collection are displaying correctly.

• If not Select a different file via the action link menu*

3.Check URLs

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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Your Turn: Prepare your Course View your Import Log for one of your migrated

courses. Look out for Fatal Errors. Practise Revising your course menu

Hide an item, Reorder items & Add a subheader/diving line where/if appropriate

Add the following tools to the Course Menu and make them available:

Add Contacts Tool = ContactsAdd Tools Area = Tools

Your Turn: Prepare your Course• Change/Apply an adaptive release rule to an item

• Use an assignment’s contextual menu and

change its name and instructions, add or remove

file attachments, and adjust availability. Apply

Adaptive Release, Tracking, Metadata, and

Review Status.*

• Check/update a URL ie. Weblinks

MOVE TO YOUR DEVELOPMENT AREA

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.

8: Course Enhancements

Course Enhancements

Content Collection aContent management area – upload, view, and reuse content.

Review Content Ask students to review content before showing new content.

Early Warning System aMonitor student engagement and ability to act on the information provided.

MashupsAdd interactive Web 2.0 content from Flickr, YouTube & SlideShare

Grade CentreNew features – anonymous grading, multiple attempts, filters and Smart Views.

Group ToolProvide students with their own collaboration area, with access to tools and ability to personalise the area.

Content Collection

Review Content

Early Warning System

Mashups

Grade Centre

Group Tool

1. Groups Page

2. My Groups

Menu.

3. Link to Group

Homepage.

4. Group

Homepage

tailored for

each Group

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 Themed Sessions

Open/Tailored SessionsAugust Onwards

Drop in Clinics Blackboard Learn Information Point

http://www.ulster.ac.uk/bbinfo On Demand Learning Centre

http://ondemand.blackboard.com/ Skills Workshop & Drop in Clinics

Thank you for listening Q&A Evaluationhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BBLearn_Eval2011

Contact DetailsName Email Tel.

028…Room

Colette MurphyTechnology Supported Learning Facilitator

c.murphy1@ulster.ac.uk

90366140

02H04

Fiona McCloyTechnology Facilitated Learning Analyst

fp.mccloy@ulster.ac.uk

90368110

02H04

David McClureCopyright Services Development Officer

dj.mcclure@ ulster.ac.uk

70124364 

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