Blackboard "Need-to-know" Tips - Vol. 2; 2004 - 2005

* Blackboard has indicated that several behaviors by the students will cause quizzes to fail. Here is a list of those behaviors:

• Clicking the Browser "Back" button
• Opening a new Browser window
• Opening another application
• Clicking to an open application or open Browser window
• Hitting the "Enter" or "Return" key to advance through a quiz
• Resizing the Browser window once the quiz has started
• Clicking the "Submit" button more than once
• Double-clicking on any links within the quiz

Would you please inform your students and forward any feedback they provide regarding quizzes and Blackboard performance?

* Blackboard now allows you to create a glossary. A Glossary Manager has been added to the Control Panel to allow you to create terms and definitions for your course. You may also import and export glossaries. Students access the Glossary through their “Tools” Menu.

* Why are students that have dropped my course still appearing in my Blackboard course?
Our version of Blackboard does not integrate with the Registrar’s system. Unfortunately, the Blackboard administrators only have the ability to add students to course sites, but not remove them except on a one-to-one basis. Students who drop courses will stay in the Blackboard site until the instructor removes them. To remove a student from a course:

1) go to the Control Panel,
2) click Remove User,
3) click Search,
4) check the box next to the name,
5) scroll to the bottom and type “Yes” in the Remove box, and
6) click Submit.

* Do you need a simple program working with photos, movies and sounds, manipulate, or convert them to another format? For Windows, try: http://www.irfanview.com. Mac OS 10+ comes with “iPhoto”, “iMovie” and “iDVD” for viewing and creating galleries, movies, DVD’s and converting media to other formats.

* Do you want to keep track of participation, but not a grade?
You can use the “Complete/Incomplete” feature of the Gradebook. When you create a new grade book item, the system defaults to “Complete/Incomplete”. Put in any number and a check mark will appear on the Gradebook. Consider if any points will be assigned when creating this item.

* When creating quizzes, you have the option of having it open in a new window – however “pop-up-blocker” features of the browser may prevent it from opening. Also, a student can click submit, but not leave the quiz and come back later – if the instructor has chosen “Force Completion” and has chose to allow only one attempt.

* Team Projects – Here is an idea from a colleague at another university: How do you get team members to work together and pull their own weight? Allow the team to “fire” a member who isn’t doing his or her part (ala “Survivor” or “The Apprentice”). Once fired that person must petition the group or another group to try to convince them he or she would be an asset to the team. Fired members could also go together and form their own team.

* Video tips:

- If you are going to be gone for a lecture, videotape that lecture for the students to view on their own.
- Use a video clip from another source that illustrates an educational principle.
- Record a guest lecturer and have your students view that as a part of their coursework.
- Have your students create videos for class projects.
- Have your students find a site on the web that has a video that is relevant to your coursework.

* You can use Windows Movie Maker to make your videos. These videos can be played in a PowerPoint presentation - or viewed with Windows Media Player. Windows Movie Maker is a free product from Microsoft and can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx
If you are using an Apple computer, you can use iMovie to make your videos. iMovie is a free program for with new Apple computers or can be purchased as a part of the iLife software package. http://www.apple.com

“Blackboard Initiatives worth $75,000” – Nov. 18, 2004

Blackboard Inc. continues to expand its resources for quality online learning and has launched initiatives worth $75,000.

BbNews Release (condensed) - Blackboard Inc. “Bbionic Course Contest” & “Blackboard Greenhouse Project”

“The Blackboard Bbionic Course Contest challenges teams from Blackboard institutions to submit technologically rich, pedagogically sound online courses to win one of five $5,000 awards. The Blackboard Greenhouse Project is a granting program open to faculty, staff and administrators of Blackboard higher education institutions around the globe. Two $25,000 grants will be awarded for programs that support the Blackboard community's discussions on e-learning and provide solutions for greater adoption. “

“Complete rules, guidelines and entry forms for both contests can be accessed through the communities.blackboard.com site. Submissions for the Blackboard Bbionic Course Contest are due by January 25, 2005 and for the Blackboard Greenhouse Project by January 7, 2005. Winners for both will be announced at the Blackboard Users Conference, in Baltimore, April 12 through 14, 2005.”

Please email brk@bradley.edu if you are interested in applying and would like assistance in preparing your course or application.