orientation to blackboard spring 2005

Orientation to BlackboardOrientation to Blackboard

Spring 2005

Assumption College

What is Blackboard?What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is Assumption College’s course management system. Many instructors use Blackboard to supplement their traditional classroom-based courses. Some programs are using Blackboard as a delivery mechanism for fully online instruction.

What is Blackboard? (cont.)What is Blackboard? (cont.)

Using Blackboard, instructors can distribute readings, send e-mail, post announcements, hold class discussions, collect assignments, administer quizzes, and hold virtual office hours.

What do I need to use Blackboard?

What do I need to use Blackboard?

• A computer running Windows 2000 or XP, or Macintosh 10.2 or higher

• A compatible web browser (see next slide)

• Browser plugins to support media used by your instructor.

• CD drive (if your instructor uses a CD that comes with the textbook)

Compatible BrowsersCompatible Browsers

• If running Windows 2000 or XP• Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher • Netscape 4.78 or 7.1 or higher

• If running Macintosh OS 10.2• Internet Explorer 5.2• Netscape 4.78 or 7.1 or higher• Safari 1.0

• If running Macintosh OS 10.3 • Internet Explorer 5.2• Netscape 4.78 or 7.1 or higher• Safari 1.1

Browser SettingsBrowser Settings

• Disable Pop-up Blockers• Some features in Blackboard work by opening popup

windows

• Ad blockers and pop-up blockers will prevent these features from working correctly

• Google tool bar contains a pop-up blocker as do some antivirus programs

• Set browser to accept cookies• Set browser security to Medium high or lower.

Recommended Safety TipsRecommended Safety Tips

• Install antivirus software on your computer and make sure the virus definition files are up-to-date.

• Update your computer’s operating system. Both Windows and Macintosh computers have update programs to install patches to the system as they are released.

• ResNet provides CD’s containing the campus standard antivirus software, browsers, plugins, and often critical patches that you might need.

What if I don’t own a computer?What if I don’t own a computer?

• You can access to Blackboard on the Assumption campus using computers at the following locations:• ITC Labs• D’Alzon Library• Technology Classrooms in Fuller, Testa

Science building, and Founders

• You may also be able to use a computer at your local library to access Blackboard

Tips for successTips for success

• Resolve problems early

• Check Blackboard site regularly for announcements, assignments, or other materials.

• Keep up with discussions

• Check Assumption e-mail account for communications from instructor

Anticipating ProblemsAnticipating Problems

When you have assignments due for a class, do not wait until just before the class to do the assignment. If you have problems, either getting into the system, with hardware, or software, leaving your work until the last minute may leave you without assistance with your problem. The Blackboard support staff tries to anticipate problems but we can’t anticipate them all. Also, we are not available 24/7, so, we may not be available when you have a problem.

Help in Resolving ProblemsHelp in Resolving Problems

There are people to help you in using Blackboard.• During the College’s normal business hours (8:30

AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday) you can call the Blackboard Administrator at 508-767-7165

• During the evening we generally have work study students working in the labs that can assist you.

• During the first few weeks of the semester we run Blackboard orientation sessions in the evening and on weekend hours. (Look for schedules of these sessions)

Check site regularlyCheck site regularly

Blackboard sites are very dynamic. Instructors post documents, announcements, and assignments regularly and if you don’t check, you won’t see them. Plan to check in several times a week.

If your class uses the discussion board you may want to check daily to participate in the discussion.

Getting started with Blackboard?

Getting started with Blackboard?

• To use Blackboard you need:• Web address of server• Username• Password

Blackboard Web AddressBlackboard Web Address

• The address of our Blackboard server is:

http://blackboard.assumption.edu

Logging in to BlackboardLogging in to Blackboard

• Username: your username will be the same as your Assumption College E-mail username. • Undergraduates receive this information at orientation

• Graduate students receive this information by mail

• Continuing Education students receive this information in a handout in the second class meeting.

• Password: your password for Blackboard will be the same as your initial e-mail password supplied at the same time as your username

• Both username and password are all lowercase

Resolving Login ProblemsResolving Login Problems

• Log in to your Blackboard account as soon after you receive your account information as possible

• If you have difficulty logging in make sure you check the following:• Enter username and password in lowercase• Enter only your e-mail username not the entire

e-mail address as your Blackboard username (username is part of address before “@” symbol)

Resolving Login Problems (cont.)

Resolving Login Problems (cont.)

If you still can’t login, record the exact error message (in red under the login panel) and:• Check the login problems page (link is on the

Blackboard welcome screen you go to before the login page). This page lists common error messages and the browser settings that cause them.

• Contact the Blackboard administrator, Lynn Cooke, at 508-767-7165 or [email protected].

My Assumption pageMy Assumption page

• When you log in to Blackboard you will enter a personalized welcome page (My Assumption)

• Here you will find • Listings of all your courses using Blackboard

and the associated announcements• Tools that allow you to record tasks, and

appointments as well as change your password (You should change your password to one only you know and can remember.)

Changing PasswordChanging Password

Click on Personal InformationLink

Changing Password (cont.)Changing Password (cont.)

Click on Change Password Link

Changing Password (cont.)Changing Password (cont.)

Enter new password twice to confirm change

Click submit

Course AnnouncementsCourse Announcements

Click on links to read Individual announcements

CoursesCourses

Links to coursesClick link to enter course site

Courses (cont.)Courses (cont.)

• Log in to Blackboard early and explore the course site.

• Get familiar with the layout and how your instructor has organized material.

• If you’re confused or can’t find materials ASK your instructor. Blackboard sites are designed by the instructors, IT has no control over content and our support team generally can’t answer content related questions.

Course SiteCourse Site

Navigation PanelClick on links to accesscourse information and materialsThe navigation items will differ bycourse

Course Site (cont.)Course Site (cont.)

Link to D’Alzon Library Web Page - Click on image

Course Site (cont.)Course Site (cont.)

“Bread crumb” trailClick on links to back up in course site

Finding DocumentsFinding Documents

• Often instructors post documents for their students in Blackboard. These documents might include handouts from class, reading assignments, problems sets, etc.

• Some instructors post these documents under Course Documents, others create areas with different names (Handouts, Readings, Homework Problems, etc.) Explore your course’s Blackboard site to see where your instructor is posting these materials.

Documents Documents

Click on the appropriate link, in this case Course Documents, to see a listing of materials posted for the course.

Documents (cont.)Documents (cont.)

• Documents can be posted in two ways• In page, meaning that you see the document on

the page.• As attachments, meaning you have to click on a

link to see or download the document.


Document posted as an attached file, right click link and save document, then open file

Document posted inpage


• Documents can be posted in a variety of formats.• Word documents• Powerpoint shows• Web pages• Adobe Portable Document Format (pdf) files

• If you don’t have the program that created the file you may need a viewer program to open the files. These viewers are available online or on our ResNet CD.

• All College computers will have viewers for the commonly used file formats

Discussion BoardDiscussion Board

• Discussion Board is Blackboard’s online threaded discussion list.

• All members of the class can see Discussion Board postings

• You can reply to postings and the entire class sees your responses

Discussion Board (cont.)Discussion Board (cont.)

Discussion Boards are accessedThrough either the Discussion Board or Communications link


Links to Discussion Board Forums - click toaccess postings


Add Thread buttonClick to create a new posting


Type in a subject

Type Message

Attach file (if applicable)Click Submit


Click on reply buttonto post a response to Thread.

Starting or continuing a discussion

Starting or continuing a discussion

• Clicking the reply button allows you to post a response to another student’s posting.

• Clicking the create a new thread button allows you to create a new discussion thread.

Discussion Board tipsDiscussion Board tips

• The tool bar at the top of the forum listing provides some powerful options to view discussion posts.

• Click on the Show Options tab to reveal the tool bar.

Discussion Board Tips (cont.)Discussion Board Tips (cont.)

• The resulting tool bar allows you to control which messages are shown, to change the status of messages and to collect several postings to a single page.

E-MailE-Mail

• Blackboard has the capability of sending e-mail to individuals associated with your course. So, you can send e-mail to your instructor or classmates and not worry about remembering their addresses.

• E-mail is accessed through the Communication link on the navigation panel.

E-Mail (cont.)E-Mail (cont.)

Click on the Communication link toaccess the E-Mail tool

E-mail (cont.)E-mail (cont.)

Click on Send e-mail


Choose link correspondingto recipient(s)


Select recipients

Enter subject and message


• You can add attachments to e-mail just as you can with regular e-mail.

• You can (and should) have a copy sent to yourself (check the box at the bottom of the screen next to the submit button) so you can have a record of your message.

• All messages go to your Assumption e-mail account. Check your e-mail regularly.


• E-mail is not an instant messenger service. Your instructor may not respond immediately to your e-mails.

• Check with your instructor for his/her policy on responding to e-mail. Most will check their e-mail at least once a day and will respond within 24 hours but this is not a rule. Find out what each instructor’s e-mail response policy is.

Digital Drop BoxDigital Drop Box

• The Digital Drop Box is a file exchange area between student and instructor.

• Students can submit papers or homework through the Digital Drop Box.

• Instructors can distribute readings or other materials to specific students using the Drop Box.

Digital Drop Box (cont.)Digital Drop Box (cont.)

• Cautions about using the Drop Box:• Adding files to the Drop Box does not send

them to the instructor, you must use the send button or the instructor will not get your file.

• Name files in the simplest form possible - use only letters, numbers, dashes and underscores in the filename. Other symbols can cause problems and make your file irretrievable to your instructor.


Click on the Tools link to access the Digital Drop Box


Click on the Digital Drop Box link


Click on the Send File button

You can click on the Add File button and add a file to yourDrop Box, but your instructor will not see it. This can be useful if you want to transfer a file between computers.


Enter title

Browse forand select file

Add comments here

Click submit to send

AssignmentsAssignments

• Assignments are special documents that instructors create to provide instructions and collect responses from students.

• Assignments are connected to the gradebook so when an instructor reviews it s/he can enter the grade into the gradebook directly.

• Assignments are connected to the student submitting the work.

Assignments (cont.)Assignments (cont.)

Click on the view/complete link to complete the assignment

Assignments (cont.)Assignments (cont.)

1. Download file(s) provided by instructor

2. Add comments

3. Attach file(s)

4. Save to continue working on assignment or submit to send to instructor for grading

Quizzes and SurveysQuizzes and Surveys

• Blackboard contains an assessment tool that allows instructors to provide online quizzes.

• Quizzes containing questions that can be automatically graded (multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false, fill in the blank) are graded on completion and your score displayed along with any feedback provided by your instructor.

Quizzes and Surveys (cont.)Quizzes and Surveys (cont.)

• Surveys are anonymous, non-graded “quizzes”

• No feedback is provided to answers

• Surveys are often used to get a feel for how the class is doing or to make a decision about an activity (eg. Time for review session)

Taking a QuizTaking a Quiz

Click on link to quiz

Taking a Quiz (cont.)Taking a Quiz (cont.)

Click OK button to begin


Complete the quiz (answer each question) and click submit at the end.


Click OK to submit quiz


Click OK to see your score and the instructor’s feedback


Your score is reported with any feedbackspecified by your instructor

RemindersReminders

• Check your Blackboard and Assumption e-mail accounts regularly.

• Keep up with assignments.• Report problems early.• Contact either your instructor for course

content related problems.• Contact the Blackboard administrator (508-

767-7165) with account problems.

orientation to blackboard spring 2005

Documents

digital drop box

discussion board tips

drop box

instructors post documents

discussion board

tool bar

changing password

reply button