Blackboard 9

1
Blackboard 9

• Overview for Faculty

Blackboard
2
Introduction

• Blackboard 9 (also called Blackboard Learn)
• Latest release
• Completely revised user interface
• Many new features
• This presentation just outlines main changes
• More-detailed info training is available

3
Logging In

• URL to practice server will be sent via email
• Use your existing Blackboard username and
  password
• Instructor accounts were brought over with
  courses from old server
• If you cannot log in, contact Instructional
  Technologies

4
Drag and Drop

• Use mouse to rearrange almost everything by
  dragging and dropping
• Modules on the main Blackboard tabs
• Announcements
• Main content area buttons (e.g., Course
  Documents)
• Folders and items inside a content area

5
Edit Mode Switch

• The Edit Mode switch lets instructors add
  modify course content
• When Edit Mode is on
• Thin diagonal lines show on background
• Editing tools are visible
• Drag-and-drop arrows next to content items
• Edit mode is sticky stays either on or off
  until you change it

6
Empty Content Areas

• Students only see buttons that contain content
• Instructors can see empty content areas when Edit
  mode is On
• Empty content areas shown by white square on
  button

7
Double-down Arrows

• In Edit mode, double-down arrows appear on
  anything that can be changed
• Roll over or click on the arrows to see options
  for that item

8
On-screen Confirmation

• As before, click Submit when you finish creating
  or editing content
• Old OK button is replaced by green confirmation
  bar

9
All Tools Now Consolidated

• Communication and Staff Info buttons are gone
• All communication tools (Contact info, email,
  announcements, groups, discussion board, etc.)
  are now under Tools
• New tools blogs, journals

10
Assignments

• Digital Dropbox is gone
• Replaced by Assignment content type
• New Assignment features
• Students can re-submit work
• Multiple drafts
• Due dates
• Grades for Group assignment can be given to all
  members
• Option to use SafeAssign plagiarism-prevention

11
Groups

• Expanded and improved
• Assign properties to a set of groups all at once
• Set up in advance
• Instructor can assign
• Students self-enroll
• Randomly assign

12
Discussion Board

• New option to show as Tree, not just List
• Select and delete multiple posts without deleting
  entire thread

13
Control Panel

• Control Panel is no longer on a separate page
• All Control Panel functions are grouped below
  navigation buttons
• Some items have been regrouped and renamed
• Students do not see the Control Panel

14
Grade Center

• Totally revised
• Freeze student names so they stay visible
• Hide unused columns
• Create calculated columns (e.g. quiz average,
  drop lowest score, etc.)
• Enter grades directly, as on a spreadsheet
• Create custom views and reports

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Summary

• Latest version of Blackboard
• Works with new browsers
• Modern look and feel
• Increased functionality
• Faster course setup
• Fewer clicks

Blackboard