Blackboard "Need-to-know" Tips - Vol. 1; 2004 - 2005

* Posting Grades
You can post grades in Blackboard securely using the Blackboard Gradebook. Follow this link for a video tutorial for how to get started. (You will be prompted for your Blackboard username and password for access.)
http://blackboard.bradley.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/
/course.pl?course_id=_2088_1

* Gradebook Backups
Blackboard easily converts the Gradebook to an Excel file. Use the Download Grades feature to make a backup copy of your grades whenever you make new entries.

* Upload Grades from Excel to Blackboard
Blackboard also allows you to modify your grade book in Excel then upload the file back into Blackboard. You must start with the Blackboard grade book first. Use the Download Grades feature, then modify your grades in Excel. Go back to Blackboard and use the Upload Grades feature. Blackboard will prompt your for which column or row to upload.

* Departments Can Use Blackboard
Blackboard can be used by departments as a way to get timely information out to their majors with email and announcements as well as posted documents.

* Would you prefer a paper copy of the Blackboard manual to reference when you have questions? Follow this link to a PDF version of the Blackboard manual and click on “full manual” - http://blackboard.bradley.edu/faculty/index.shtml.

* Would you like your students to turn in their work electronically?
Try the Assignment Manager of Blackboard. This works like a standard entry in Blackboard, but lets the students click a link to upload their homework. The files are automatically linked to the grade book. You just go to the grade book, download all the student work submitted for the assignment and assign the grades. You can open the files, make comments, and send them back the students all from this location. For more information go to –
http://blackboard.bradley.edu/docs/tutorials.shtml#assignments

* Would you like a student grader or TA to have access to your Blackboard site? You may have the student complete a form to request access to the Blackboard Control Panel. This form must be signed by the student, you and the department chair, then returned to the ITAC office in Library 20. Email brk@bradley.edu for a copy.

* Blackboard can weight grades
The Blackboard Gradebook contains a grade weighting feature that allows an instructor to determine how the software calculates the final grade for a student. There are two options: Weight by Item and Weight by Category. See the documentation at -
http://blackboard.bradley.edu/bin/common/content.pl?action=LIST&render_type=DEFAULT
&mode=&content_id=_149823_1
You will be prompted to log in with your Blackboard username and password.

* Discussion Boards are a great way to increase student-to-student interaction. They encourage reflective thinking, organization of thought, and writing. They can also increase motivation through peer review. To learn more about creating and working with the Discussion Board, visit –
http://blackboard.bradley.edu/docs/tutorials.shtml#communication

* Do your classes do group work?
Create a group for them in Blackboard. This allows them to exchange files, send email, use a discussion board or chat with just the members in their group. Follow this link to learn more - http://blackboard.bradley.edu/docs/tutorials.shtml#communication

* How do you share your PowerPoint slides?
You can share PowerPoint slides in many ways. Some instructors prefer to take out the color backgrounds and remove details, then convert the slides to PDF to encourage the students to print them off and use them to take notes in class. Other instructors, for example, those that teach a lesson completely online, prefer to add their voice to the slides. Then they save the PowerPoint Slides with the narration and post it to Blackboard. These files can get very large. We have compression software in our office called Impatica that will reduce the file size 90% to speed up download times and conserve resources. If you are interested in learning more, contact Barb Kerns at 677-2332 or brk@bradley.edu.

* Do you need to show your students how to do something on the computer? It is quick and easy to create a video of the process with software called Viewlet Builder. The software will turn screen captures and mouse movements into a Flash movie that can be uploaded to Blackboard. Students can view each step of the process when they need it, as often as they like. This software is available in ITAC. Contact Barb Kerns at 677-2332 or brk@bradley.edu if you would like to learn more.

* Need More Ideas on How Blackboard Can Work For You?
Go to the Online Teaching Resources link on the Blackboard home page http://blackboard.bradley.edu/faculty/otlr.shtml for a list of common ways Blackboard can be used to help you and your students. For more ideas on course development, visit - http://blackboard.bradley.edu/docs/tutorials.shtml#course.

If you have questions about any of these tips, please contact Barb Kerns at brk@bradley.edu or 677-2332.