Blackboard Tips: An Even D
zen
1.
Students do not have access to your course until you make it available. They can’t even see it in their course list! Make the course available using the “Settings” option.
2.
A good way to save a copy of your entire course is to use the “Export Course” function. Save the exported course to your hard drive as a back-up. It will be saved as a compressed (zip) file. Don’t try to edit the zip file. If needed, use the “Import Package” option to bring the course content back into Blackboard. Exporting your class is also recommended it you won't be teaching the class for a term or two.
3.
New course shells are made available in Blackboard when your division assigns you as the course instructor in Colleague. Spring and Summer course shells appear in your account more than 2 months before the term begins. Fall course shells appear more than 4 months ahead. Use Blackboard’s “Course Copy” function to copy your current course into your new course shell. Or, export your course (as described in #2 above) and import the course package to copy your course.
4.
Create your test in Test Manager and then add the test to a content area (such as Assessments). You must then use the “Modify Test” link to make it available. Check the checkbox “Make the link available” in section 2!
5.
http://www.cod.edu/it/blackboard/studentQuickStartGuide.htm On-campus instructors may want to copy the guide and hand out in class. (The guide will be mailed to COD Online students.)
6.
To avoid technical problems (and minimize test anxiety), ask students to take a practice exam using the same question types you will use on the exam. To avoid browser time outs, present the questions one at a time (this will also help discourage cheating). For cheating, set the exam to display questions in a random order, use question pools to create tests, add a time limit, allow only one attempt, etc. See http://www.nccei.org/blackboard/testingadvice.html for more advice.
You may want to refer your students to http://www.cod.edu/it/blackboard/TipsforExams.html for Blackboard exam-taking guidelines.
7.
Keep a copy of your graphics on your hard drive. If you need to move a page and the graphics disappear, delete the empty box, and attach the graphic (or other material) again.
8.
Instructors can view everything in Blackboard just as a student can see except for how students see grades and how the exam timer works. If you need to see how these functions work, contact Cathy Rathke for access to a "sandbox" course. Once you have access, you can import a test or set up some items in the gradebook. This is not permanent or private access; several instructors may be using the same course, so you probably want to delete any personal material after you have finished your testing.
9.
If you want to customize your list of courses (on the My Institution tab or Courses tab), you can "hide" classes so they do not display. Look for the pencil icon at the top-right corner of the My Courses or Course List box. Click the pencil to toggle the checkboxes to customize your view. If you want to display "hidden" courses again, use the pencil icon to bring them back.
10.
Current information about the Blackboard system at the College of DuPage is posted at Blackboard Central. Take a look! http://www.cod.edu/it/blackboard/blackboard_central/
11.
Passwords do expire.
Instructors use their assigned Novell network login and password
to log into Blackboard. However, passwords do expire. When your password
expires, you will be locked out of logging into any system that uses the
network password. You can call the Help Desk and they will be able
to verify that your password has expired. They will also help with
resetting your Novell password. After it is reset, you should be
able to get into Blackboard.
To reach the Help Desk, call 942-HELP (942-4357) or e-mail: helpdesk@cod.edu
12.
The default file extensions for Office 2007 applications are different than the file extensions for earlier versions of Microsoft Office. Office 2003 and earlier can not open files created in Office 2007 without the Compatibility Pack.
If you do not have Office 2007 installed on your computer, you can download and install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack available on Microsoft's site. Once the Compatibility Pack is installed, the files created with Office 2007 will open in your version of Office.