Faculty Resources for Blackboard

Contents:

Getting Started

Login Help - Logging into Blackboard.
Software Recommendations - Is your computer as ready as you are?
Lost your course menu? Students report seeing only Announcements? Don't panic! The navigation menu may be simply hidden or collapsed. Watch the Course Menu: Hidden or Collapsed video.
Blackboard Help for Instructors
COD Faculty Assignment of Classes
Blackboard News: Service Pack 12

Attaching a Syllabus - Post your syllabus in Blackboard. Students will never lose their syllabus again. (6 minutes)
Calendar
Rosters and Email (6:47 minutes - COD Service Pack 8)
Entering Instructor Information (4:07 minutes - COD Service Pack 8)
Create an Announcement (4:40 minutes - COD Service Pack 8)
Customize Course Menu - Missing some links on your course menu? (6:05 minutes - COD)
Course Availability - Shows the steps for making a course available to students. no audio (2:47 minutes - COD)
Introduction to Blackboard (for COD Students) - Use this outline to give your students a general introduction to Blackboard. Includes links to several video tutorials.
On-Demand Videos: For Students (Blackboard, Inc.)
Blackboard Student Quick Start Guide - Student guide to getting started with the Blackboard Course Management System.
Course Copy
Export Course
Import Package

On-Demand Videos: Assignments (Blackboard, Inc.)
Managing Group Work (Blackboard, Inc.)
Blackboard Assignment Tool -12 minute video presentation shows how an assignment is created, submitted, and graded. (COD Service Pack 8)
Managing Group Work (Blackboard, Inc.)

On-Demand Videos: Tests, Surveys, and Pools (Blackboard, Inc.)
Creating a Test (Blackboard, Inc.)
Setting Test Options (includes setting the timer for a test) (Blackboard, Inc.)
Blackboard Test Options - View this 19 minute video which explains the different test options available for exams in Blackboard. (COD Service Pack 8)
Test Availability Exceptions (to allow students more time or attempts)
Item Analysis - See statistices on overall test peformance and on individual question. Correct ineffective or milseading questions and tests are re-graded automatically (Blackboard, Inc. video)
Blackboard Random Block (Blackboard, Inc.) - Create an exam that presents each student with a different set of questions
Blackboard Test Feedback - Feedback options explained
Blackboard Test Generators
Using Blackboard Timed Tests
Exam Setting Recommendations - Force Completion and Timed Tests
Extra Credit Test Questions - Set up extra credit questions on a test.
Automatic Regrading (Blackboard, Inc. video)
Getting Started with Automatic Regrading (Blackboard, Inc. pdf)

Disable Pop-Up Blockers
NBC Learn - Add NBC videos to your course. 4 minute instruction video created by Blackboard.
McGraw-Hill Connect
- McGraw-Hill Connect and Create Instructor Manual
- McGraw-Hill Learning Site - self-directed learning site which serves as a reference for instructors who are getting started, need a refresher, or need to understand how their course can work within Blackboard.
- McGraw-Hill Customer Experience for help or troubleshooting: 1-800-331-5094.
Blackboard Technical Support for Faculty - Technical support contact information.
COD Library - Resources for online students and faculty.
Attendance - Blackboard does not offer a built-in attendance function. However, you may want to consider one of these suggestions:
- Download a roster from Blackboard step-by-step and use the roster to keep your attendance.
- Comfortable with Excel? Use Blackboard's Grade Center to obtain a roster to use with the Attendance Tracking Excel file
- Use one column in the Grade Center to track absences following NIU's suggestions.