Tip #87: End of the Semester Checklist

Tip: At the end of each semester, you should

1. Export the final course Gradebook
2. Archive your Blackboard course
3. Make the course unavailable

Make the course unavailable

1. Go to the Control Panel and click Customization.
2. Click Properties.
3. Underneath Set Availability, check the box next to No.
4. Click Submit.

Backup the final course Gradebook:

1. Access the Grade Center from the Control Panel.
2. Click Work Offline on the right side and select Download.
3. On the Download Grades page:
• Data, select Full Grade Center
• Options, select the Delimiter Type as Tab
• Save Location, select Download Location as My Computer
4. Click Submit.
5. Click link to download grade center backup.

Archive your Blackboard course:

1. Go to the Control Panel and click Packages and Utilities.
2. Click Export/Archive Course.
3. Click Archive.
4. On the Archive Course page:Select Copy Options, check Include Grade Center History
5. Click Submit.
6. An email will be sent when the archive has been completed.Note: Refresh the screen to view the zip file. The course archive may take up to 15 minutes to generate.
7. Click the Archive File of the course to save to computer.

Tip # 86: Sending Email from Grade Center

Tip: Emails can be sent to students directly from the Grade Center.
This feature imports student emails into an email form directly from the grade center.

How to send emails from Grade Center:

1. Access the Grade Center from the Control Panel.
2. Check the boxes next to the name or names to send emails to.
3. On the bottom of the grade center below student names, click the drop-down menu Email.
4. Click Email Selected Users.
5. A Send Email screen will open, importing all selected user emails and providing text boxes to insert the subject, message, and any attachments.
6. Complete information in the Subject and Message boxes and click Submit.
   Note: A copy of the email will be sent to the instructor.

Tip #85: Copy and Paste from Word

Tip: Some formatting of text can be preserved by changing the options in visual text box editor.

Pasting copied text from Word into Blackboard can sometimes cause formatting problems. Changes made to the visual text box editor can preserve spacing from Word.

How to copy and paste from Word:

1. In Blackboard, create a new item (i.e. Discussion Board, Announcement, or Course Module), or reply to a discussion board thread.
2. On the right side of the visual text box editor is a button that says Visual Editor: On. Click On to change the selection to Off.
3. When the Visual Editor button says Off, the text editing tools are removed. Instead, three options on the bottom will appear. The Smart Text option should be selected.
4. Copy and paste text.
Note: Only spacing and bullets will be kept in Blackboard, not bold, underline, or italics.
5. Click Preview (on the bottom right of the text box) to see how the post will look before submitting it.
Note: Do not turn on the text editor before submitting text, or all text will be removed.
6. Once finished, click Submit.
7. Bold, underline, and italics may be added by using the text editing toolbar after a post has been submitted. Click to Edit post. [If the visual editor is still off, click to return to on mode and text from Word will be retained.]

Tip #84: Entering Grades

Tip: You can enter grades with or without feedback.

This feature allows movement from one student to the next within the options to submit grades with or without feedback.

How to enter grades without feedback:

1. From the Control Panel, access the Grade Center.
2. Click on Edit Rows Displayed in the lower-right hand corner, underneath all student names. Here you can adjust how many students you can see at once.
   Note: The more students displayed, the longer it takes Grade Center to load.
3. Underneath the desired assignment column, click on the cell of the first student.
   
4. Type in grade and hit enter.
5. The next cell will automatically enter edit mode where you can type in the grade.

How to enter grades with feedback:

1. From the Control Panel, access the Grade Center.
2. Locate the desired assignment column and click cell of the first student.
3. Click the down arrows on the right side of this cell and select View Grade Details.
4. Select Edit Grade, which is located on the right-hand side underneath Actions.
5. Type in the number grade under Current Grade Value and insert comments in the text box underneath Feedback to User.
6. Click Save.
7. Above the Current Grade box, click on the forward arrow next to the current user name to view grade details for next student.

Tip #83: Bulk Downloading Assignments in the Grade Center

Tip: You can download all submissions for an assignment as one .zip file.

This feature is available when the assignment feature is used to issue an assignment. Blackboard automatically creates a column in the grade center. The grade center column will collect the assignments.

How to bulk download assignments:

1. Access the Grade Center from the Control Panel.


2. Locate the assignment column to download and click the down arrow next to the name of the assignment


3. Select Assignment File Download


4. Select the student(s), click Submit


5. Click the link provided to download the assignment files titled Download assignments now.


6. The file will download as a .zip file.

For information on creating assignments in Blackboard, see Creating Assignments.

Tip #82: Backing up the Grade Center

Tip: You can back up your Grade Center by downloading a copy of it in spreadsheet format.

Here’s how to back up your Grade Center:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.


2. Click on the Grade Center area of the Control Panel then select Full Grade Center in the expanded menu.


3. On the Grade Center page, click on the Work Offline button and select Download.


4. On the Download Grades page under Data, select Full Grade Center.


5. On the Download Grades page under Options, select Tab as the Delimiter Type.


6. Click Submit. A file containing the Grade Center data will be created.


7. Click on the DOWNLOAD button and choose where to save the file.
   NOTE: The file will be downloaded with an *.xls extension which will open in Excel.

Tip #81: Grade Center Text Columns

Tip: You can use text columns in the Grade Center to remember non-grade information such as a student’s preferred name or which class section they’re in.

Here’s how to create a Grade Center text column:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.


2. Click on the Grade Center area of the Control Panel then select Full Grade Center in the expanded menu.


3. On the Grade Center page, click on the Create Column button.


4. Type a Column Name, Grade Center Display Name (optional), and Description (optional).
   • NOTE: The Grade Center Display Name will only be displayed in the Grade Center.


5. Select Text for the Primary Display.


6. Enter zero for the number of Points Possible.


7. Select No for Include this Column in Grade Center Calculations as well as Show Statistics.
   • NOTE: If you do not wish students to see the information in this column, select No for Show this Column to Students as well.


8. Click Submit.


9. Enter the students’ new non-grade information in the new Grade Center column.

Tip #80: Known Issues

Tip: As with most new software, Blackboard 9 has a few bugs. In order to track these and help faculty be aware of potential problem areas, we have created a known issues list.

The complete known issues list can be found at http://www.twu.edu/blackboard/13251.asp

The following known issues are pervasive issues across campus which many users have experienced.

Blogs, Journals, and Wikis

Some users receive error messages and experience intermittent access when attempting to connect to blogs, journals, and wikis. Blackboard has applied a patch which has resolved the issue. If you continue to receive an error message, this issue can be resolved by clearing your browser cache.

To do so:
Close all browser instances then launch a single instance.

For IE8: Tools >> Internet Options >> Browsing History… >> Delete >> check Temporary Internet files, Cookies, and History >> uncheck Preserve Favorites website data >> Delete

For Firefox 3.5 or greater: Tools >> Clear Recent History >> set Time range to Everything >> check Cookies and Cache >> Clear Now

For IE7: Tools >> Internet Options >> Browsing History… >> Delete >> Delete files… >> Delete cookies… >> Delete history…

Safari: Tools >> Reset Safari >> check Empty the cache and Remove all cookies >> Reset

Exit and then re-launch the browser.

For other browser directions, see: http://www.bnl.gov/itd/webapps/browserCache.asp

If, after following these steps, the 404 error continues to occur, send an email to blackboard@twu.edu to let us know.

Discussion Board Attachments

Students are unable to view files that instructors have attached, and instructors are unable to view files that students have attached using the Visual Text Box Editor.

• Instructors should use the "Attach File" icon on the Visual Text Box Editor toolbar.
  
  
• Students should use the "Browse My Computer" button in the Attachments section below the Visual Text Box Editor.

HTML

Inserting HTML in areas of the course where HTML is not expected can cause parts of the course to be inaccessible or to not function. We suggest that HTML only be incorporated in text areas that have a related Visual Text Box Editor available.

Announcement, Assessment, Assignment, Discussion Board

If an item is setup with a start date but no end date or with an end date but no start date, the item cannot be modified.

For this reason, it is important to either set both a start date and an end date (even if the end date is dated far in the future) or set neither. Also, do not use both availability dates and adaptive release.

Know of other issues?
If you know of an issue that is not currently on the complete known issues list, please let us know at blackboard@twu.edu.

Tip #78: Naming Files for Blackboard

Tip: You can reduce the number of error messages you and students receive when opening files by appropriately naming files uploaded to Blackboard.

How to do it:

There are several file name characters that may lead to error messages when instructors or students upload or download files. To reduce the occurrence of those errors, follow these naming conventions:

• Use only letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens in file names
• Use hyphens or underscores in place of spaces in file names
• Do not use periods in a file name, except before the file extension (e.g. “Name_test1.doc”)
• Do not use spaces, commas, pound signs (#), question marks, equal signs, ampersands (&), asterisks (*), or any other special characters in file names
• Keep file names under 60 characters in length

NOTE: You may recommend to students that they follow these same naming conventions. Suggest that they make their filenames as short, descriptive, and unique as possible. Having them use their last name along with the assignment name is a useful strategy. This is helpful when you are downloading multiple students’ files at once (e.g. downloading students’ completed assignments).

Tip #79: Freezing Grade Center Columns

Tip: In Blackboard 9’s Grade Center, you can freeze the leftmost columns in place so they do not move while horizontally scrolling through the Grade Center. For example, the columns containing the students’ first and last names are frozen by default.

Here’s how to Freeze Columns:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.


2. Click on the Grade Center area of the Control Panel then select Full Grade Center in the expanded menu.


3. On the Grade Center page, click on the Manage button and then select Column Organization from the dropdown menu.


4. Drag the row related to the column you would like to freeze above the dark grey bar that states “Everything above this bar is a frozen column”.


5. Click Submit.

Here’s how to Unfreeze Columns:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.


2. Drag the row related to the column you would like to unfreeze below the dark grey bar that states “Everything above this bar is a frozen column”.


3. Click Submit.
   

Tip #78: Blackboard 9 Grade Center's Smart Views

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can create different views of your Grade Center which allow you to filter which students you view, the columns you view, or a combination of both which you can then switch to using the Current View dropdown.

Smart Views are useful for sorting groups of students. For example, if you have assigned individual graders specific students, you can create a different Smart View for each grader. If you have combined multiple sections into one Blackboard shell, you can create a Smart View for each section.

Here's how to create a Grade Center Smart View:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.
   
   
2. Click on the Evaluation area of the Control Panel then select Grade Center in the expanded menu.
   
   
3. On the Grade Center page, click on the Manage button and then select Smart Views from the dropdown menu.
   
   
4. On the Smart Views page, click on the Add Smart View button.
   
   
5. On the Create Smart View page, enter a name (required) and description (optional) then select a Type of View from one of the following:
   
   • Group (select individual groups)
   • Benchmark (select users based on performance criteria)
   • Focus (select individual users)
   • Investigate (a combination of the first three)
     
     
6. Select the criteria you would like to use to limit users.
   • NOTE: If you would like to create a view that only limits which columns you view but includes all students, select Benchmark for your view type and then make the criteria "Grade on Total Greater than or Equal to" 0.
     
     
7. Use Filter Results to choose which columns you would like to view.
   
   
8. Click Submit then OK. Your new Smart View will now be an option on the Current View dropdown located on the the light blue filter bar.
   
   • NOTE: If you do not see the Current View dropdown, click on the Filter button on the bottom right of the Grade Center header field.
     
     
   • NOTE: You can make your commonly-used Smart Views favorites by clicking on the star in the Add as Favorite column so that it is green rather than grey. It will then appear in the Grade Center dropdown of the Control Panel.

Tip #77: Copying Course Materials by Exporting and Importing

Tip: You can copy materials into a Blackboard 9 course from previous courses by Exporting and Importing (from BB7 to BB9 and from BB9 to BB9).

• NOTE: This process does not overwrite your Blackboard 9 course entirely but rather add the material you are importing into it. You may need to rearrange or remove some items after the import process has fully completed.

Here’s how to Export and Import:

Part I Export

1. Log into the source course from which you will be copying the material.


2. Go to Export/Archive page.
   
   • Blackboard 7: Click on Control Panel then on Export Course under the Course Options section
   
   
   • Blackboard 9: Click on the Packages and Utilities section of the Control Panel and then on Export/Archive Course
     


3. Click on the Export button and select all Course Materials that you would like to export.
   
   • NOTE: Do not select Settings as this will cause some parts of your Blackboard 9 course to be disabled.
   
   
   • NOTE: If you select any Assessments, Assignments, or graded Discussions, then you must also select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9).
     
     Likewise, if you select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9), then you must select Assessments, Assignments, and Discussions.


4. Click Submit. At this point, you should receive a message that states “This action has been successfully queued. An email will be sent when the process is complete.”
   
• NOTE: You should receive this email within 2-3 hours. If that does not happen, please contact Blackboard Support (blackboard@twu.edu).


5. Once you receive the confirmation email, return to the Export/Archive page then right-click and save the new Export file to a location where you can easily find it such as your desktop.

Part II Import

1. Log into the destination course.


2. Click on the Packages and Utilities section of the Control Panel and then on Import Package/View Logs.


3. Click on the Import Package button.


4. Under Select a Package, click on the Browse button, browse to where you saved the Export file on your computer, select the file, and click on Open.


5. Select all Course Materials that you would like to import.
   
   • NOTE: Do not select Settings as this will cause some parts of your Blackboard 9 course to be disabled.
   
   
   • NOTE: If you select any Assessments, Assignments, or graded Discussions, then you must also select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9).
     
     Likewise, if you select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9), then you must select Assessments, Assignments, and Discussions.


6. Click Submit. At this point, you should receive a message that states “Success: This action has been queued. An email will be sent when the process is complete.”
   
   • NOTE: You should receive this email within 2-3 hours. After you receive this email, it could take up to another 8 hours for the new content to fully display. If either part does not happen, please contact Blackboard Support (blackboard@twu.edu).

Tip #76: Enrolling and Removing Students from a Course

Tip: You can enroll students, remove students, and limit a dropped student’s access

• NOTE: Official university student rosters can be obtained from WebAdvisor and compared with Blackboard rosters.

Enrolling a student:
You can enroll students who are on the official university student rosters but not on the Blackboard roster.

1. Access your course


2. Click on the Users and Groups area of the Control Panel and select Users


3. Click on Enroll Users


4. On the Add Enrollments page, enter the student’s username and click on Submit

Removing students from a course:
You can remove students who are not enrolled in the course per your WebAdvisor roster. Keep in mind that all student data will be removed including grades, assignment submissions, and course statistics. If a student has dropped the course, consider limiting their access so that you may retain their student data.

1. Access your course


2. Click on the Users and Groups area of the Control Panel and select Users


3. Select the students you would like to remove from your course


4. Click on Remove Users from Course

Limiting a student’s access and retaining student information:
If a student has dropped the course, you can limit their access to the course while retaining all student data, including grades, for that student.

1. Access your course


2. Click on the Users and Groups area of the Control Panel and select Users


3. Click on the action link next to the student’s username and select Change User’s Availability in Course


4. Select No from the dropdown next to Available (this course only)


5. Click on Submit

Beginning of Semester Checklist

Tip: Beginning of semester tasks

1. Enhance course design and menu options
2. Combine multiple course sections into one shell (if applicable)
3. Make the course available

Enhance the course design and menu options:

1. Access your course
2. On the Control Panel, click on Customization and then select Style where you can:
   
   • choose a course menu style
   • manage how the menu is displayed
   • add/change the course banner


3. On the Course Menu, you can:
   
   • re-arrange the order of menu items by clicking on the double-headed arrow to the left of the menu item then dragging and dropping the item to its new position on the Course Menu
   • rename, show/hide, or delete a menu item by clicking on the action link next to the item
   • add a content area, a link to a course tool, a link to a course area, or an external link to the course menu by clicking on the Add (plus) symbol on the Course Menu

Combine multiple course sections into one shell (if applicable):

1. Access the course from which you want to move users
   
2. On the Control Panel, click on Packages and Utilities and then select Course Copy
   
3. Select Copy Course Materials into an Existing Course from the Select Copy Options dropdown
   
4. Click on Browse and, in the pop-up window that appears, select the Destination Course then click on the Submit button in the lower right-hand corner of the pop-up window
   • NOTE: The Destination Course is the course to which the enrollments will be copied
5. Place a checkmark next to Tasks
6. Place a checkmark next to Include Enrollments in the Copy
7. Click Submit
   
   • NOTE: You will receive an email notification when the enrollments copy is complete

Make the course available:

1. Access the course you want to make available
2. On the Control Panel, click on Customization and then select Properties
3. Under Set Availability, select Yes to Make Course Available
4. Click Submit

Tip #75: Naming Files for Blackboard

Tip: You can reduce the number of error messages you and students receive when opening files by appropriately naming files uploaded to Blackboard.


How to do it:

There are several file name characters that may lead to error messages when instructors or students upload or download files. To reduce the occurrence of those errors, follow these naming conventions:

• Use only letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens in file names
• Use hyphens or underscores in place of spaces in file names
• Do not use periods in a file name, except before the file extension (e.g. “Name_test1.doc”)
• Do not use spaces, commas, pound signs (#), question marks, equal signs, ampersands (&), asterisks (*), or any other special characters in file names
• Keep file names under 60 characters in length

NOTE: You may recommend to students that they follow these same naming conventions. This is helpful when you are downloading multiple students’ files at once (E.g. downloading students’ completed assignments).

Tip #74: Copying Course Materials by Exporting and Importing

Tip: You can copy materials into a Blackboard 9 course from previous courses by Exporting and Importing (from BB7 to BB9 and from BB9 to BB9).

• NOTE: This process does not overwrite your Blackboard 9 course entirely but rather add the material you are importing into it. You may need to rearrange or remove some items after the import process has fully completed.

Here’s how to Export and Import:

Part I Export

1. Log into the source course from which you will be copying the material.


2. Go to Export/Archive page.
   
   • Blackboard 7: Click on Control Panel then on Export Course under the Course Options section
   
   
   • Blackboard 9: Click on the Packages and Utilities section of the Control Panel and then on Export/Archive Course
     


3. Click on the Export button and select all Course Materials that you would like to export.
   
   • NOTE: Do not select Settings as this will cause some parts of your Blackboard 9 course to be disabled.
   
   
   • NOTE: If you select any Assessments, Assignments, or graded Discussions, then you must also select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9).
     
     Likewise, if you select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9), then you must select Assessments, Assignments, and Discussions.


4. Click Submit. At this point, you should receive a message that states “This action has been successfully queued. An email will be sent when the process is complete.”
   
• NOTE: You should receive this email within 2-3 hours. If that does not happen, please contact Blackboard Support (blackboard@twu.edu).


5. Once you receive the confirmation email, return to the Export/Archive page then right-click and save the new Export file to a location where you can easily find it such as your desktop.

Part II Import

1. Log into the destination course.


2. Click on the Packages and Utilities section of the Control Panel and then on Import Package/View Logs.


3. Click on the Import Package button.


4. Under Select a Package, click on the Browse button, browse to where you saved the Export file on your computer, select the file, and click on Open.


5. Select all Course Materials that you would like to import.
   
   • NOTE: Do not select Settings as this will cause some parts of your Blackboard 9 course to be disabled.
   
   
   • NOTE: If you select any Assessments, Assignments, or graded Discussions, then you must also select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9).
     
     Likewise, if you select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9), then you must select Assessments, Assignments, and Discussions.


6. Click Submit. At this point, you should receive a message that states “Success: This action has been queued. An email will be sent when the process is complete.”
   
   • NOTE: You should receive this email within 2-3 hours. After you receive this email, it could take up to another 8 hours for the new content to fully display. If either part does not happen, please contact Blackboard Support (blackboard@twu.edu).

Tip #73: Copying Course Materials

Tip: You can copy materials into a Blackboard 9 course from previous courses by using Course Copy (from BB9 to BB9 only).

• NOTE: This process does not overwrite your Blackboard 9 course entirely but rather adds the material you are importing into it. You may need to rearrange or remove some items after the copy process has completed.

How to Course Copy:

1. Log into the course from which you will be copying the material.


2. Click on the Packages and Utilities section of the Control Panel and then on Course Copy.


3. Under Select Copy Options, click on the Browse button next to Destination Course ID. In the Course window that pops, select your destination course, and click Submit.


4. Select all the Course Materials that you would like to copy.
   
• NOTE: Do not select Settings if you are copying from a course which was formerly on BB7 as this will cause some parts of your new Blackboard 9 course to be disabled.
  
  
• NOTE: If you select Assessments, Assignments, or graded Discussions, then you must also select Grade Center Columns.
  
  Likewise, if you select Grade Center Columns, then you must select Assessments, Assignments, and Discussions.


5. Click Submit. At this point, you should receive a message that states “Success: Course copy action queued. An email will be sent when the process is complete.”
• NOTE: You should receive this email within 2-3 hours. After you receive this email, it could take up to another 8 hours for the new content to fully display. If either part does not happen, please contact Blackboard Support (blackboard@twu.edu).

Tip #72: Blackboard 9 Upgrade Frequently Asked Questions

Tip: We will begin using Blackboard 9 for all classes beginning June 2010. Summer, Summer 2 and Summer 3 classes will be available on the new version of Blackboard. Summer 1 (formerly Maymester) will be taught on the current version of Blackboard. Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about Blackboard 9

Can I see what BB9 looks like before summer?

The new Blackboard server is available at http://twupilot.blackboard.com. You are also invited to attend the BB9 classes being offered to faculty, staff, adjuncts and GA’s. See our upcoming classes.

When will we start using Blackboard 9?

Blackboard 9 will be used beginning in June with Summer, Summer 2 and Summer 3 courses.

When will all my old courses be moved from BB 7 to BB9?

Courses containing content from the following semesters have been moved and should be visible on the new server:

• 08SP
• 08SU – all terms including maymester
• 08FA
• 09SP
• 09SU – all terms including maymester
• 09FA

10SP courses have not been moved so that all content can be included and will be moved once grades have been submitted. They should be available by the end of May.

You should be able to view all these courses on the BB9 server (http://twupilot.blackboard.com). If you are not seeing courses please contact Blackboard Support at blackboard@twu.edu.

When will my Spring 2010 courses be moved to the BB9 server?

In order to ensure that your entire course is moved, Spring 2010 courses should be available to you by the end of May.

Is it possible to move my Spring 2010 class earlier?

You can use the Export function in the course to export your course and then use the Import function in Blackboard 9. For more complete directions see: http://www.twu.edu/downloads/blackboard/BB9_Importing_a_Course_from_Blackboard_7.pdf

Will I need to give this address (http://twupilot.blackboard.com) to my students?

No, on June 4 all existing links (http://twu.blackboard.com, http://online.twu.edu) to Blackboard will automatically go to the new server.

I usually send e-mails to my students before the semester starts. Can I still do this?

Yes, you can send an e-mail from your course in Blackboard 9 (http://twupilot.blackboard.com)

Will organizations be moved to Blackboard 9?

Yes, we are in the process of moving all organizations with content to Blackboard 9. All organizations should be available in BB9 by the end of May.

Will I still have access to Blackboard 7?

Yes, it will be available through the beginning of Fall 2010; the exact date will be announced via e-mail. We will send a link to the BB7 location in June.

When will students have access to the new Blackboard?

Students will have access to Blackboard 9 beginning June 4.

Tip #71: Upcoming BB9 Classes

Tip: You now have more opportunities to learn about Blackboard 9 and receive a sandbox course by attending a Blackboard 9 class.

TWU will begin using Blackboard 9 for Summer, Summer 2 and Summer 3* session courses. Faculty and staff wanting to orient to the new interface prior to June may access Blackboard 9 at http://twupilot.blackboard.com

You can register for classes or request a small group session for your department at http://www.twu.edu/blackboard/13232.asp

What’s New in Blackboard 9

Blackboard 9 has a completely revised web 2.0 user interface and many exciting new features. This facilitated, hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the most significant changes and new features of Blackboard 9.

Tuesday, May 4 – 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. SH 307
Wednesday, May 19 – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ACT 503
Thursday, June 3 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. SH 307
Tuesday, June 8 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307

What’s New in BB9 Webinars

Blackboard 9 has a completely revised web 2.0 user interface and many exciting new features. Join us online in an Adobe Connect Session to explore the most significant changes and new features of Blackboard 9.

Thursday, May 20 – 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 27 – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 10 – 10:00 a.m.

The Blackboard 9 Grade Center Webinars

This Adobe Connect Session will introduce participants to the new Grade Center. Join us online to learn how to access the Grade Center to add score columns and to enter and manage student grades. Participants will also be introduced to new features such as Smart Views, Grade History, and Calculated Columns.

Friday, May 7 – 10:00 a.m.
Friday, May 21 – 1:00 p.m.
Friday, May 28 – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, June 10 – 10:00 a.m.

*Summer Semester Names

Old	New	Description
Maymester	Summer 1	14-day May classes
Summer 1	Summer 2	June classes
Summer 2	Summer 3	July classes
Summer 3	Summer	All summer long (beginning June)

Tip #70: Blackboard 9 Grade Center's Smart Views

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can create different views of your Grade Center which allow you to filter which students you view, the columns you view, or a combination of both.

Here’s how to create a Grade Center Smart View:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.
   
   
2. Click on the Evaluation area of the Control Panel then select Grade Center in the expanded menu.
   
   
3. On the Grade Center page, click on the Manage button and then select Smart Views from the dropdown menu.
   
   
4. On the Smart Views page, click on the Add Smart View button.
   
   
5. On the Create Smart View page, enter a name (required) and description (optional) then select a Type of View from one of the following:
   
   • Group (select individual groups)
   • Benchmark (select users based on performance criteria)
   • Focus (select individual users)
   • Investigate (a combination of the first three)
     
     
6. Select the criteria you would like to use to limit users.
   • NOTE: If you would like to create a view that only limits which columns you view but includes all students, select Benchmark for your view type and then make the criteria “Grade on Total Greater than or Equal to” 0.
     
     
7. Use Filter Results to choose which columns you would like to view.
   
   
8. Click Submit then OK. Your new Smart View will now be an option on the Current View dropdown located on the yellow action bar.
   

Tip #69: Viewing the course roster in Blackboard 9

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can access your course roster through the Control Panel.

Here’s how to drag and drop:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.
   
   
2. Click on the Users and Groups area of the Control Panel.

3. Click on Users in the expanded menu.
   
   
4. In the Search bar, select the Not blank search option.

5. Click on Go, and your course roster will appear.

Tip #68: Drag and Drop in Blackboard 9

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can use drag and drop to arrange and reorder items.

What can you drag and drop?
You can drag and drop any item that has either a double-headed arrow or a four-headed arrow to the left of it. Here are some prominent places you will see them:

• the Course Menu
• Content pages
• the Announcement page
• the Column Organization page

Here’s how to drag and drop:

1. Use your mouse to left-click and hold on the arrows next to an item you would like to move.
• NOTE: Your mouse pointer will turn into a four-headed arrow when your mouse is properly positioned over the arrows.
  
  
2. Drag the item up or down to the spot where you would like to place it.
   
   
3. Release your left mouse button to drop the item in place.

Tip #67: Hiding the Course Menu in Blackboard 9

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can temporarily hide your Course Menu so that it’s easier to read content on a small screen

• NOTE: Toggling Course Menu availability affects the display for all of your courses and only your courses. Hiding or Showing the Course Menu will not affect whether it’s viewable to the students in your course.

Hiding the Course Menu:
Click on the button that is to the right of the Course Menu as indicated below to hide the course menu.

Click to Hide	Click to Unhide

Showing the Course Menu:
Click on the button that is on the left edge your browser as indicated above to show the course menu.

Tip #66: Blackboard 9 Edit Mode

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can make changes to content from within the course view by turning Edit Mode: ON. When viewing a course with Edit Mode: OFF, you will have the same view as student, viewing only available menu items and content areas.

Edit Mode On:
Toggle Edit Mode to On by clicking the Edit Mode Button on the upper right-hand side of the screen. When in edit mode:

• the button will read Edit Mode: ON
• the background of the course will display grey diagonal lines

Edit Mode Off:
To toggle Edit Mode to Off, you click the same Edit Mode Button on the upper right-hand side of the screen. When edit mode is off:

• the button will read Edit Mode: OFF
• the background of the course will be clear of grey diagonal lines

Tip #65: Blackboard 9 Classes

Tip: You can learn about Blackboard 9 and receive a sandbox course by attending a Blackboard 9 training session.

You can access Blackboard 9 at http://twupilot.blackboard.com

You can register for classes or request a small group session for your department at http://www.twu.edu/professional-development


What’s New in Blackboard 9

Blackboard 9 has a revised user interface and many exciting new features. This facilitated, hands-on workshop will introduce participants to key changes and new features of Blackboard 9.

Thursday, March 4 – 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. SH 307
Tuesday, March 9 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. SH 308
Wednesday, March 10 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307
Tuesday, March 30 – 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. SH 307
Friday, April 2 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307
Monday, April 5 – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. SH 307
Thursday, April 8 – 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. SH 307

What’s New in BB9 Webinars

Join us for a What’s New session online from the location of your choice. Upon registering for the webinar, you will receive a link to access the session.

Friday, March 5 – 10:00 a.m.
Friday, March 12 – 11:00 a.m.
Friday, April 9 – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, April 30 – 1:00 p.m.

The Blackboard 9 Grade Center

This hands-on, facilitated workshop will introduce participants to the new Grade Center.

Wednesday, April 7 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. SH 307
Tuesday, April 13 – 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. SH 307
Thursday, April 15 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307
Wednesday, April 28 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. SH 307
Thursday, April 29 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. SH 307

Enhancing Communication

This hands-on, facilitated workshop will focus on how to use select Blackboard 9 communication tools effectively to increase student engagement within a course.

Wednesday, April 14 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307
Monday, April 26 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. SH 307

Creating Assessments & Assignments

This hands-on, facilitated workshop will emphasize the features and functions of Blackboard 9’s assessments and assignments tools.

Monday, April 12 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. SH 307
Monday, April 27 – 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. SH 307

Tip #64: Grade Discussion Board Forums or Threads

Tip: You can grade Discussion Board forums or threads.

Here’s how to enable grading:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Discussion Board
   


2. Choose the specific Discussion Board containing the Forum you would like to grade
   


3. Click the Modify button for the Forum you would like to grade
   


4. Under Forum Settings, select Grade Forum or Grade Threads
   
   1. Grade Forum will allow you to assign grades for students’ posts to that forum
   2. Grade Threads will allow you to assign grades for students’ replies to each thread in a forum

Here’s how to grade:

1. Click the Grade icon next to the forum or thread you would like to grade
   


2. Click the Grade button next to a student’s name
   
   1. The student’s posts to the forum or thread will display
   2. You can filter, sort, and print the student’s posts
      


3. Type a grade in the Grade box and click the Submit button

Discussion grading and the gradebook:

It is important to note that when you enable grading for a forum or thread, columns for those forums or threads are automatically generated in the gradebook.

• When you enable grading by forum, a column for that forum is created in the gradebook
• When you enable grading by thread, a column for each thread in a forum is created in the gradebook

Keep this in mind when choosing whether to grade by forum or thread. Gradebook management can become cumbersome if you choose to grade a large number of threads.

Tip #63: Partial Credit Test Questions

Tip: When creating a test, you can set some questions to allow for partial credit by following a two-step process that includes first enabling the option on a test level, and then setting the option on a question level.

Question types:
While all manually-graded questions can be assigned partial credit, only the following automatically-graded questions allow it:

• Calculated Formula
• Fill in Multiple Blanks
• Jumbled Sentence
• Matching
• Multiple Answer
• Multiple Choice
• Opinion Scale/Likert
• Ordering
• Quiz Bowl

Here’s how to do it:

Part 1 — Enable the option on the test level:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Test Manager.
   
2. Click on the Modify button to the right of the test containing the questions you plan to make partial credit. This will take you to the Test Canvas page.
   
3. Click on the Creation Settings link.
   
4. Scroll down to the Scoring subsection, and check the box correlating to “Specify partial credit options for answers”.
   
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Submit and then OK.

Part 2 — Set the option on the question level:

1. Click on the Modify button to the right of the question you plan to make partial credit.
   
2. Scroll down to the Options subsection, and check the box correlating to “Allow Partial Credit”.
   
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click either Submit or Next until you are able to click Submit.

Please note:

• Partial credit scoring for automatically graded questions must be set up before students have taken the test.
  


• If you choose to disable partial credit scoring, you must first disable the option on the question level before doing so on the test level.

Tip #62: Best Practices for Student Test Taking

A Blackboard Tip of the Week: Best Practices for Student Test Taking

Tip: You can help students reduce the chances of technological mishaps while taking exams by encouraging them to follow a few best practices.

Best Practices for Students Preparing to Take a Test:

• Students should view Blackboard using Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 3.5
• Students who have already updated to Internet Explorer 8 should enable Compatibility View by clicking on the Compatibility View button located to the right of the Address Bar
• Students should run a System Check at least 30 minutes before an exam
• On the TWU Blackboard system front page under the Getting Started Guide, they should click on System Check
• Students should disable pop-up blocking in their browsers
• In Firefox, they should:
• Go to Tools > Options > Content
• Uncheck Block pop-up windows
• Click OK
• In Internet Explorer, they should:
• Go to Tools > Pop-up Blocker
• Click on Turn Off Pop-up Blocker
• Students should close all other applications and browsers before starting their test, and not open any others for the duration of their exam session
• Students should check for possible firewall issues before choosing their test taking location—especially if they plan on taking an exam at their places of employment
• Students can make sure their test submission will not be blocked by a corporate or home firewall by submitting the Sample Exam in the Blackboard Sample Course
  1. Go to http://online.twu.edu and log in with “online” as the username and password
  2. Click on TWU Sample Course and click on Exams
  3. Take the Sample Exam (choose to “take the assessment again” if given the option)
• If, after agreeing to submit the exam, the student receives “Assessment successfully submitted” message, then there should not be a test taking firewall problem on that location’s connection

Best Practices for Students While Taking a Test:

• Students should not open any other browser window or application for the duration of their exam session
• Students should not click outside of the test—including the navigation on the left side panel in Blackboard
• Students should not click on any browser navigation such as the Back, Forward, or Home buttons
• Students should not use the scroll wheel on their mouse as this will sometimes inadvertently change answers
• Students should click the Save button every five questions to save their answers unless questions are being delivered one at a time—in which case, they will need to press save on every question
• When ready to submit, students should click the Submitbutton just once

Tip #61: Alter Assessment Settings

Tip: You can alter assessment settings even after you’ve initially released an assessment. This ability allows you to release results, answers, and feedback after students have completed the assessment.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on the Content Area where the item is located


2. Click on the Modify button to the right of the assessment
• This will take you to the Modify Test page


3. Click on Modify the Test options


4. Scroll down to the Test Feedback subsection, and check boxes correlating to the kind(s) of test feedback you want to make accessible
   
   • Score
   • Submitted Answers
   • Correct Answers
   • Feedback

Tip #60: Copying an item from one course to another

Tip: You can copy an item from one course to another without having to use the Course Copy function on the Control Panel.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Access the course from which you want to copy an item
   
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on the Content Area where the item is located
   
• For example, if you want to copy a folder that is located in Course Documents, click on the Course Documents course menu link
  
3. Click on the Copy button next to the item you want to copy
   
4. On the next screen, select the destination course from the drop-down list of courses
   
   • NOTE: Only courses for which you are an instructor are listed in this drop-down list
     
5. Click Browse to find a destination folder within the destination course
   
6. Select whether you would like the item to be removed from the current course after it is copied to the destination course
   
7. Click Submit
   
8. When you receive confirmation via email that the item copy was successfully completed, navigate to the destination to confirm that the item was successfully copied

Tip #59: Limit Dropped Student Access to Blackboard Courses

Tip: When students drop a class and are not automatically removed from Blackboard, you can limit their access to the course.

Limiting access to students who drop the course mid-semester

Students who have dropped a course mid-semester will not be removed from your Blackboard course roster. This is designed to allow instructors to keep records of all students in the course. Removing a student from the Blackboard course will delete all information, including grades for that student.

Here’s how to limit access and retain student information:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on List/Modify Users
2. Type the student’s last name, or click search to list the whole class roster
3. Select properties next to the student’s name
4. Scroll down to Section 4: Role and Availability
5. Under Available (this course only) select No
6. Click Submit
   

NOTE: Limiting access to students will not remove them from your grade book. However, the student will no longer be able to log into the course.

Removing students from a course

If a student is not enrolled in the course per your WebAdvisor roster, removal of the student may be appropriate. Keep in mind that all student data will be removed including grades, assignment submissions, and course statistics.

NOTE: Blackboard roster updates occur several times a day through the twelfth class day. It is possible that during these first days of the semester, students removed from a course will be added back into the course when the roster updates occur. Removing students after the twelfth class day will be permanent.

Here’s how to permanently remove a student from the course:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Remove Users from Course
2. Type the student’s last name, or click search to list the whole class roster
3. Place a checkmark next to the student’s name
4. Type the word Yes
5. Click Submit
   

NOTE: Official student rosters can be obtained from WebAdvisor and compared with Blackboard. Students who are not listed in Blackboard but listed in WebAdvisor should call the Help Desk at 940-898-3791 for assistance.

Tip #58: Beginning of Semester Checklist

Tip: Beginning of semester tasks

1. Enhance course design and menu options
2. Combine multiple course sections into one shell (if applicable)
3. Make the course available

Enhance the course design and menu options:

1. Access your course
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Course Design where you can:
   
   • choose a course menu design
   • manage how the menu is displayed
   • manage the tool panel
   • add/change the course banner
     
3. Return to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Manage Course Menu
   
   • To re-arrange the order of menu items, click the number next to an item and select a new number order for the item
   • To modify or remove a menu item, click the Modify or Remove button next to an item
   • To add a content area, a link to a course tool, a link to a course area, or an external link to the course menu, click the appropriate button at the top of the page
4. Click OK

Combine multiple course sections into one shell (if applicable):

1. Access the course from which you want to move users
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Course Copy (located in the Course Options category)
3. Click Copy Course Materials into an Existing Course
4. Type or Search for the Destination Course ID
   
• NOTE: The Destination Course is the course to which the enrollments will be copied
5. Place a checkmark next to Tasks and next to Enrollments
6. Click Submit
   
   • NOTE: You will receive an email notification when the enrollments copy is complete

Make the course available:

1. Access the course you want to make available
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Settings (located in the Course Options category)
3. Click Course Availability
4. Select Yes, and click Submit