Blackboard Your FDU Webmail login address (e.g.

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1 Blackboard 5.0 URL: Username: Password: Your FDU Webmail login address (e.g. FDU Webmail password System Requirements Hardware requirements: PC MAC Windows 95 or higher, or NT Mac OS 8.1 or later 90MHz Pentium Processor 604 PowerPC Processor 32MB of RAM 32 MB RAM 56 kbps Modem 56 kbps Modem Sound Card Speakers Speakers Access to a printer (Ink jet color printer recommended.) Access to a printer (Ink jet color printer recommended.) Software requirements: Word Processing: MS Word 5.0 or higher preferred Web Browser: Netscape version 4 or higher; Internet Explorer version 4.5 or higher Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download RealPlayer (free download - Virus Protection Computer-related services: Internet Service Provider (ISP) for Internet access. Webmail Account for - If you have not yet created your account or have any questions, visit

2 Page 2 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Creating a New Course The first step to building a new course is to request a course Web site. This process involves completing an on-line form, which is available at: Please be sure to complete all fields on the online form. Once your request has been approved, your shell will be created and you will receive notification by e- mail. The next time you logon to Blackboard, it will be listed under the My Courses section of the My FDU portal. If you have any questions regarding course creation, please contact Subhojit Paul at spaul@fdu.edu or call Accessing Your Course Point your browser to Click on the Login button to start the process (shown below). Enter your FDU Webmail login address and password (shown below).

3 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 3 Click on the course name to select your course from the list under My Courses. Header Tabs Tools Content Web Page Overview of the My FDU Portal Frame Header Tabs Function Navigation buttons that allow the user to access FDU s home page, access Blackboard 5 help, and logoff Blackboard 5. My FDU The My FDU tab area contains tools and information specific to each user s preferences. Tools and information are contained in modules, which users can add and remove from their My FDU Tab area. While users can choose which modules appear, the administrator may restrict access to or require specific modules.

4 Page 4 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Content Courses The Courses tab area lists courses specific to each user as well as the Course Catalog for FDU. User courses are listed by role: courses that a user teaches as an instructor and courses that a user takes as a student. Users simply click on a course from the Courses tab area to access the course Web site. Community The Communities tab contains links to university organizations and discussion boards. Services The Services tab contains a directory with mail stop and extension information as well as links to department websites. The Content frame always contains the following pages: Tools box The Tools box provides quick access to system tools from the My FDU area. The user tools allow access to several tools that appear in course Web sites on a systemwide scale as well as some unique tools such as the User Directory (see next table for additional information). Web page A Web page appears in the content frame on the right containing specific content or features in boxes called modules. Tools Box The table below describes each of the features available from the Tools box. These tools are system-wide, for example the Announcement section includes announcements from all courses a user is enrolled in and/or teaching. With the exception of User Directory, these tools are also available within a particular course. Tools Announcements Calendar Tasks My Grades Send Overview Users view important messages from administrative users and faculty on the Announcements page. Users can sort announcements by different categories (such as by course, institution and date posted). Users manage their course, institution, and personal events through the Calendar. Upcoming and past events can be viewed daily, weekly, or monthly. The Tasks page organizes projects (referred to as tasks), defines task priority, and tracks task status. A user can create tasks and post them to the Tasks page. Each user can post personal tasks to their page, instructors can post tasks to users participating in their course, and system administrators can post tasks to all users Tasks pages. Users can check grades and performance statistics from the My Grades page. The My Grades page lists each user s courses. Users click on a course to access a report. Users access functions for specific courses through the

5 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 5 User Directory Address Book Personal Information Send page. Users are able to send messages to other course participants. Users can list and contact via system users through the User Directory. A search function at the top of the page creates a list of users. From the list, a user can click on a listed user s address to send a message. Users store contact information in the Address Book. The Address Book is empty until the user enters contacts. Users must enter in a profile for anyone they wish to add to their address book, even if the contact is a system user. Users manage personal data and privacy settings from the Personal Information page. The only option available is to identify a CD-ROM drive to Blackboard 5. Since your address is carried over from Webmail, YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS. However, if you would like, you can forward your Webmail to a different address. Your password is also tied to Webmail, so IF YOU WISH TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD, YOU MUST CHANGE IT IN YOUR WEBMAIL ACCOUNT. Please note that it may take up to 36 hours for the Blackboard system to update your new password. Until then, you may continue to use your previous password. Overview of the Course Each course offered by FDU is hosted on a Web site. Course Web sites contain all the content and tools required to teach a course. The instructor assigned to a course Web site oversees the course through the instructor s Control Panel (more details on the instructor s Control Panel will follow). A course Web site consists of a navigation path, a button bar, and a content frame. The navigation path allows users to return to any page accessed between the main course page and the current page. The button bar links users to the available content areas and tools. The content frame displays Web pages accessed through the buttons or navigation path.

6 Page 6 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition When you enter a course you immediately see, the Announcements page. Use the navigation buttons down the left hand side of the screen to view various areas of the course. Navigation Path Button Bar Content The table below describes each navigation button. Each of these features will be explained in more detail throughout this manual. Button Announcements Course Information Faculty Information Course Material Communication Discussion Board Groups Tools Application - Example Users view important messages from administrative users and faculty on the Announcements page. Users can sort announcements by different categories (such as by course, institution and date posted). General information concerning the course is given in this section: syllabus, graded assignments and handbook. Instructor s information such as office hours, address and phone number are listed. Information on Global Virtual Faculty members can be listed here as well. The actual course content is contained in this area, such as, unit introductions, required readings, assignments, and recommended links. The Global Challenge is divided into six primary units, which are then broken down into weeks. For more detail please review the course syllabus. The following links to communication tools are available through this section: , discussion board, virtual classroom, roster and group pages. The discussion board is your primary class discussion area. It features asynchronous communication, which involves individual forums for each course unit. The forums are then broken down into threads for each topic and/or week. This feature links to the group work area. Each group has their own set of communication tools. Students can view their own course information; send and receive files; develop a homepage; access their calendar,

7 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 7 gradebook, student manual, tasks and address book. Students access the Digital Drop Box from the Tools area, but instructors must access the Digital Drop Box from the Control Panel. Navigating in a Course The Blackboard course environment is viewed by single-clicking on any of the navigation buttons, folder titles, links, tools and communication buttons. There are two types of navigation you will need to be aware of: navigating between content areas and navigating within a content area. When you navigate between areas: Click an appropriate button on the Navigation bar. When you navigate within a content area, use internal navigation buttons to move in and out of documents and folders. Internal Navigation Buttons Internal navigation buttons, like these shown above, will appear at the top of each page within a folder. Clicking on a folder title shown in brackets (ex. [Unit One: Welcome to the World]) will take you to the top level (entry page) of that particular folder. The Top button will take you to the top level of the content area (ex. Course Material).

8 Page 8 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition To open folders and files: Click on a folder title to open that folder. Select the name of a link to get that file. Overview of Instructor s View / Control Panel When entering the course as the instructor, you have the same view as your students. However, as an instructor you have an additional button at the bottom of your navigation bar called the Control Panel. The Control Panel is where you add and modify course content. You can enter this area by clicking the Control Panel button on the navigation bar. Remember, only Instructors have access to the Control Panel; students do not see the Control Panel button. Student View: No access to Control Panel Instructor View: Control Panel access Click the Control Panel button.

9 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 9 Navigation Path Tool Areas Return to the Student View by clicking the CourseID (e.g. Core_1006) in the Navigation Path. The Navigation Path assists with navigation through the Control Panel tools. You also use it to return to the main course page by clicking on the CourseID in the Navigation Path. The tools for managing the Content Areas in Blackboard are all similar. Each has a three-step process: Enter your information Set your options Submit the form Working with Announcements The Announcements page is the very first screen your students see when they enter your course. Therefore it is very important to use this tool to notify your students about new information pertaining to the course. Consider using announcements to let students know: When assignments are due Changes in the syllabus Corrections/clarifications of materials

10 Page 10 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Student s View Navigation Menu Resource Buttons Announcement Area Announcements will be ordered on the Announcements page from top to bottom, by the most recent addition to the Announcements page editor. The default setting is to show today s announcement, but the student can see previous announcements by clicking the appropriate tabs at the top of the screen. An announcement can also be placed permanently on the Announcements page. Every time students access the course they will see this announcement. For example, you may want to post the technical support contact information (Helpdesk: or or a welcome announcement. Permanent announcements can be modified to be no longer permanent or removed completely. In the scenario below, you will use the Announcement page editor to add an announcement to the course. Adding Announcements

11 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 11 To add announcements, you will have to enter the Control Panel. All instructor functions are initiated from the Control Panel. Click the Control Panel button. From the Content Areas section of the Control Panel, choose Announcements. Click on the Add Announcement button. In the Subject field, type: Office Hours. In the Message field type: Please note, my office hours are from 10am until 11am on Tuesday and Friday. Step 5: In the Options area check the box for Always show this announcement on the course's main page. Selecting this box makes sure this announcement will always appear in the Announcements section of the course, no matter which of the Announcement views the user has selected. If you select the Always show this announcement on the course's main page option, the announcement will be labeled Permanent. Step 6: Click the Submit button. A receipt will appear to confirm the process.

12 Page 12 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 7: Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. Notice that the announcement has appeared in the Announcements Area. Modifying and Removing Announcements To change the text in an announcement: Click the Control Panel button. From the Content Areas section, choose Announcements. Scroll down and click the Modify button located next to the announcement you wish to change.

13 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 13 Step 5: Step 6: Change the announcement. Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. From the receipt page, click OK to return to the Announcements Content Area. Messages are removed from the Announcements Content Area as well. After removal, there will be no evidence that the announcement ever existed. If necessary, scroll down to locate the announcement and click Remove. A Warning Dialog Box will appear. Click OK in response to the question Are You Sure You Want to Remove this Item? After removal, there will be no evidence that the announcement ever existed. If you wish to remove the Permanent status of an announcement instead of removing the announcement completely, you can modify the message and change the options setting. This will allow students to still access the announcement by using the tabs to view old announcements. Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. Adding Faculty Information

14 Page 14 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition The Faculty Information area holds specific information about the instructors, Global Virtual Faculty members, or any other person involved in your course. Add yourself as the instructor: Click the Control Panel button. From the Content Areas section, choose Faculty Information. Click the Add Profile button. Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Fill out the information fields in the Item Information area with your information. Scroll down to the Options area to upload a picture into the profile if you have one. Click Browse and locate the directory where your picture is located. Select the image file and open it. You may need to change the File Type area in the browse dialog box to display all files. In the Personal Link area, type the URL of your personal web site if you have one. Select Yes for the Do you want to make this item visible?" option. (Selecting No for this option would make the content invisible from the Student View of the course.) Step 10: Step 11: Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course.

15 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 15 Step 12: Using the navigation menu, select Faculty Information to view your entry. Adding Course Content There are several areas in the course where you will be adding the bulk of your course content. The names of these areas are Course Information and Course Material. The default names may be modified, either by the Blackboard System Administrator or the instructor, so these areas may be named differently in your course (ex. Course Material might be referenced as Course Documents). Creating a Blackboard Document You may choose to build some of your course material directly in Blackboard. Blackboard is designed to allow you to build simple, web-based documents without having to know any HTML and without Web-authoring tools. We will create a document describing the course goals in the Course Information area. Step 5: Step 6: Click the Control Panel button to enter the Control Panel. Select Course Information from the Content Areas section. Click on the Add Item button. In the Name field choose "Course Goals" from the dropdown list. Alternately, you could choose "Other -- Add Text Below" and enter your own title instead of using one of the pre-defined titles. By default, document titles in Blackboard are black, however you can color-code your titles. Click on the Pick button, and select a color from the color-picker window that opens. As an example, in the Text area, enter: This course will introduce you to the ecology of various rain forests around the world and acquaint you with some of the

16 Page 16 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition political and cultural issues surrounding use and conservation of the resources of the rain forests. Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Leave the text formatting option set to Smart Text, and leave the options in Sections 2 (Item Attachments) and Section 3 (Options) set to their defaults. Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. Step 10: Click on the Course Information button in the navigation menu to see your document. Copying and Pasting from Existing Text Many instructors have course materials from previous semesters that are already in digital format. It is possible to incorporate this material without retyping or reformatting anything. One way is to copy existing text from one file and paste it into Blackboard. You also have the option to upload files directly into Blackboard. In this example, you will open a file created in Microsoft Word and copy the content into the Course Information area of your course. Keep the browser application open, but locate and open your word processing program. You can hide the application window while keeping it open by clicking the minimize button at the top right of the application window. In Windows the minimize button is the first button, represented by an underscore (_). Choose Open from the word processor's File menu and locate the file. Switch back to your browser window by clicking on the application, located on the task bar. In Windows, the taskbar displays a button for each open window. You can use these buttons to switch between

17 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 17 windows. The taskbar is generally located at the bottom left of your screen. Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Step 10: Step 11: Step 12: Click the Control Panel button, then select Course Information from the Content Areas section. For the purpose of this exercise this file is being placed into Course Information. However, as an instructor, you can place files in whichever area is appropriate for your course. Click Add Item. For the Name field, select an appropriate title from the pull-down menu or select Other and fill in the Specify your own name field shown below. Switch over to the word processing application. In your Word document, highlight the text you wish to copy. If you want to copy the entire document, select Select All from the Edit menu. Select Copy from the Edit menu in your word processor (or click the Copy icon in the word processor's toolbar). Switch back to the browser window. Click in the Text field so the cursor is in that area. From the browser's menu, choose Edit and then Paste to place the text in the field. Step 13: Step 14: Leave the text formatting option set to Smart Text. Click Submit to complete the process.

18 Page 18 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 15: Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. View the syllabus document by clicking on the Course Information button in the navigation menu of the Student View. Cutting and Pasting HTML-formatted Text (OPTIONAL) Content that has been formatted with HTML can also be added into a course. However, there are a few steps to take to assure the text appears correctly. When you open the file, either open it in a text editor such as Notepad or SimpleText, or choose View > Source from your browser or word processor. Often when you open an HTML file in a word processor, the codes are rendered. You always want to copy and paste the codes themselves. When you copy and paste HTML code from an HTML document, select ONLY the text that appears between (but not including) the <BODY> and </BODY> tags. The rest of the HTML document is dynamically generated by Blackboard. When you copy and paste code from an HTML document, set the text formatting option to HTML. Copying and pasting code from an HTML document is only appropriate if the document contains only text information. If your document contains embedded images you should attach the entire HTML file (see below). Attaching a Document In the previous examples, you added content into the course by directly entering the text into the page editors. It is also possible to attach existing files to your course. Reasons you would choose this approach include: The file contains a kind of content that would be impossible or wouldn't make sense to copy and paste, for example, a spreadsheet. The file is long, and copying and pasting would mean the students would be required scroll through screen after screen to view the document. You need the students to be able to modify the content in the file, for example, if you were distributing a template for a PowerPoint presentation.

19 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 19 You simply don't want to re-enter text that you've already entered and formatted in another application. When you attach files, students must have appropriate software to open and use the files. For example, if you attach a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, students must have PowerPoint (or some application that can view PowerPoint files) on their computer. In the following examples, you will attach a Microsoft Word file to your course. Step 5: Step 6: Click the Control Panel button. From the Content Areas section, choose Course Documents or Course Materials. Click Add Item. In the Name field, select "Other -- Add Text Below." In the or specify your own name field, as an example, type the document title: Introduction. The content will be in the attached file, but you may still want to use the Text field to enter a brief description of the file you are attaching. As an example, type the following in the Text field: This document introduces some of the main concepts we will address over the duration of this course. Step 7: In the Item Attachments area, click the Browse button and locate and select the file you wish to attach from your computer s hard drive or from a floppy disk. Click the Open button. Step 8: In the Name of Link to File area, type the title of the document.

20 Page 20 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition The Name of Link to File becomes the linked text that the user clicks on to open the file. Step 9: Leave the Special Action set to the default "Create a link to this file." Leave the options in the Options area set to their defaults. Step 10: Step 11: Step 12: Step 13: Step 14: Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. Click on the Course Documents or Course Materials button in the navigation menu of the Student View. Beneath the document title you will see a link. Click on the link to view the document. The word processing program will launch and open the file on your computer. Depending on the combination of browser and word processor you are using, the file may launch differently. For example, Netscape browsers will typically ask whether you want to Open or Save a Microsoft Word document (select Open), and open the document in a separate Microsoft Word window, leaving a greyed-out pane in Blackboard. Alternately, Microsoft Internet Explorer will open a Microsoft Word document within the browser itself instead of launching Word separately. Various combinations of browsers and applications can affect how a document will be launched. Close the document if it opened in a separate window. Creating Folders and Organizing Files

21 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 21 In most cases, you will have many files online. It is possible to organize the files by creating a directory structure of folders and placing documents in those folders. You must first create the folder and then create the file within the folder. You cannot move an existing file into a folder. In this activity, you will create a folder and put a document inside it. Step 5: Step 6: Click the Control Panel button. From the Content Areas section, choose Course Documents. Click Add Folder. In the Name field, select "Other -- Add Text Below" from the drop-down list. Enter text into the specify your own name field. As an example: Session 1. You may specify a color of the folder name by clicking the color picker next to Choose Color of Name. Add a short description to the folder to give students an indication of the material it contains. As an example, type: This folder contains information you need for our first class reading. Review the document before attending session1. Leave the text formatting option set to Smart Text. Step 7: Step 8: Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course.

22 Page 22 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 9: View the folder you just created by clicking on the Course Documents or Course Materials button. Step 10: Enter the folder, by clicking on the folder's title. Notice there is nothing in the folder now. Our next step is to place a document inside the folder. Click the Control Panel button. From the Content Areas section, choose Course Documents or Course Materials. Click on the folder title, Session 1, to enter the folder. The navigation information that tells you what the Current Folder is and the folder navigation path right below it. The Top link returns you to the top of the current section (Course Documents, in this case). If you had folders within folders, the hierarchy would be displayed as links in this folder navigation path. Step 5: Step 6: Click Add Item. In the Name area, select "Other -- Add Text Below." As an example, type the title below: Session 1 Reading.

23 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 23 Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Step 10: Step 11: Step 12: Step 13: In the Item Attachments area, click Browse and locate the file you wish to add. In the Name of Link to File field, type a name for your file. Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. Click on the Course Documents or Course Materials button. Click on the folder title, Session 1, to enter the folder. Then click on the attachment link to open the file. Close the file if it opened in a separate window. You may dynamically reorder items in the page editor s area of the Control Panel by selecting the drop down menu number next to the item that you wish to reorder within the page, and selecting the placement. Reordering number Working with Other Media There are many other types of media files that work within Blackboard. Consider using audio clips, images, and even compressed video to enhance your

24 Page 24 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition curriculum. In the examples below, you will upload a document, an image, and an audio clip. First, attach the document: Click the Control Panel button. From the Content Areas section, choose Course Documents or Course Materials. Click on the folder title Session 1 to enter the folder. Click Add Item. Step 5: In the Name field, choose "Handout" or select "Other -- Add Text Below" and type in a title for the document. Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: In the Text field, type a summary. As an example: This handout explains a typical day in the life of a monkey. Scroll down to the Item Attachment area. Click Browse and designate the file you wish to attach. In the Name of Link to File area, type the name of the document. Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. Now, add an image file into the folder: From the receipt page, click the OK button. This returns you to the content area and folder you were previously working in. Click Add Item. In the Name field, choose "Other -- Add Text Below." Enter the text for the title. In the Text field, type a summary. As an example: This is a picture of a howler monkey in a tree. Step 5: Scroll down to the Item Attachments area. Click Browse and designate the image file you wish to attach. Step 6: From the Special Actions drop-down list, select "Display media file within the page." You can leave the Name of Link to File blank because you are displaying the media file on the page itself instead of linking to it.

25 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 25 Step 7: Click Submit. A Multimedia Options screen will appear. When you choose the "Display media file within the page" option, the software will identify what kind of file you are using and prompt you to indicate the correct Multimedia Options. Multimedia formats that are supported by this option are the MPEG, AVI, and Quicktime video formats; the WAV and AIF audio formats; and GIF and JPEG images. Step 8: Step 9: Step 10: Step 11: For Alignment, select center, and for Placement, select above the text. Use the drop-down list to designate a Border width around the image. You may enter Alternate Text. Alternate text of images will appear instead of the image when a user is viewing the Blackboard course in Text Only mode. This is especially important for visuallyimpaired users and for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. Next, add the audio clip:

26 Page 26 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: From the receipt page, click the OK button. Click Add Item. In the Name field, choose "Other -- Add Text Below." and enter a title for the sound. In the Text field, type a summary. As an example: Listen to the sounds of a howler monkey. Scroll down to the Item Attachments area. Click Browse and designate the sound file to be attached. In the Special Actions field, select Display media file within the page option. Click Submit. The appropriate Multimedia Options screen will appear. Select the Multimedia Options. As an example: Set the Placement options to Above Text. Set the Auto Start options to Yes. Set the Loop options to No. Set the Show Controls options to Yes. Set the Alignment options to Left. Add Alternative Text. Step 9: Click Submit. A receipt will indicate the successful submission.

27 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 27 Finally, return to the course and view your files: Step 5: Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. Select Course Documents or Course Materials from the navigation menu. Click on the folder link Session 1 to enter the folder. Click on the title of the folder to enter the folder. View the page. Notice the link to the document, the image, and the audio are all attached. To play the audio clip, click the play button on the audio control panel. Communication Tools Blackboard provides many ways an instructor can communicate with students, students can communicate with each other and the Global Virtual Faculty member. These include , discussion boards, group chats, and even file transfers. These communication tools are an excellent way for your Virtual Global Faculty member to participate in your course.

28 Page 28 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition The Communication Tools area is customizable on a course-by-course basis so all of the options here may not be available for your particular course. The instructor can enable or disable features on a class-by-class basis using the Control Panel. (Refer to the Course Options section of this manual for additional information) Send to students & other instructors in the course. Asynchronous tool with discussion threads and responses. Synchronous tool allowing for a chat room, whiteboard, and Q & A area. List of students names and their addresses. Listing of groups in the course and access to private group areas. Sending The Blackboard default Send tool is a quick and easy way instructors can send to students. You can individual students, groups of students, or all course members (including Global Virtual Faculty members), directly from the course. The Blackboard Send function supports outgoing only. Messages that are sent via Blackboard's Send function are received, read, and replied to using your FDU Webmail account. Remember, other

29 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 29 programs can be configured for Webmail. Detailed instructions are available under the Docs link at In this example, you will send a student an thank you. Select Send . The Send feature is available to instructors in two areas: From the Control Panel under Course Tools OR From the Communication button on the navigation bar Click on the Single/Select Users option. Click in the box next to the name of the sample student to whom you will send .

30 Page 30 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 5: Step 6: In the Subject field type: Thank you. In the Message area type: I just wanted to thank you for voicing your opinion in class yesterday. Your insights about the medical use of rain forest materials turned into a wonderful class discussion. Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Click the Submit button. A receipt will indicate the successful submission. Click the OK button. Return to the Student View of the course by clicking the CourseID in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. Discussion Board Blackboard provides a discussion board as a communication tool to use in your virtual classroom setting. This feature is designed for asynchronous use, so users do not have to be available at the same time to have a conversation. An additional advantage of the discussion board is that user conversations are logged and organized. Conversations are grouped into forums that contain

31 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 31 threads and all related replies. By default, postings are organized in a hierarchy with indentations to illustrate the relationship between messages. In addition to the Discussion Board being a valuable tool within your online course, it is the main communication link between your students and the Global Virtual Faculty member. Accessing the Discussion Board From the Control Panel, click Discussion Board under Communication Center. As an instructor, you have three ways to access the Discussion Board: through the Control Panel; by clicking the Discussion Board button from the navigation bar; or by first clicking on the Communication button from the navigation bar and then clicking Discussion Board. Reading/Replying to a Message Click the name of the forum you would like to enter. Click the name of the message that you would like to read or respond to. Clicking the name of the person who posted the message will send an to that person using the default program that is installed on your program (e.g. Outlook).

32 Page 32 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Click the Reply button to post a reply. Enter the appropriate information in the text fields. By default the reply automatically fills in the subject for you. This subject can be changed if you like. The Discussion Board does not have a spell checker. You may want to create your posting in a word processor and then copy and paste it into the text field. The message to which you are responding will be displayed under the text fields for the reply.

33 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 33 Step 5: If you wish to attach a file to your posting, click the Browse button, locate and select the file, and click Open. Step 6: Click Preview to view your message before it is posted. Click Submit to post your message. Step 7: Your message is posted and marked with the icon. Step 8: Click Back to Forum View to enter another forum, click the Start New Thread button to create a new discussion thread, or click the link of the next message to which you would like to respond. Creating Forums A new Forum must be created to house the threads of discussion. The new forum will appear in the discussion area and new threads can be posted within it. Click Add Forum to create a new forum for discussion.

34 Page 34 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition You can keep the default text type of Smart Text. This format allows you to display traditional text as well as render basic HTML tags if you choose to use them. Select the appropriate Forum Settings. There are five Forum Settings that you can select (singularly or in combination): Allow Anonymous posts: Allows users to post a message without a name attached. (Not recommended) Allow author to edit message after posting: Allows users to make changes to their message after they have posted it. (Not recommended) Allow author to remove own posted message: Allows user to delete their posted messages. (Not recommended) Allow file attachments: Allows user to upload attachments to be viewed with their messages.

35 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 35 Allow new thread: This setting allows your students and any Global Virtual Faculty member access to create new threads within the forum. If you want only the Global Virtual Faculty members to create new threads, do not check this box and see the Forum User Settings under the Modifying Forums section of this manual. Click the Submit button. Step 5: The new forum will be displayed. When multiple forums exist, you can put them in specific order, according to your curriculum. Starting a New Thread Once you have created a forum for discussion, you can start threads that will entice users to become involved in the Discussion Board functionality. To start a thread: Click the name of the forum within which you would like to start a thread of discussion. Click the Start New Thread button.

36 Page 36 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 5: Enter the subject and message to be posted. The Discussion Board does not have a spell checker. You may want to create your posting in a word processor and then copy and paste it into the text field. Select the appropriate Options. If you wish to attach a file to your posting, click the Browse button, locate and select the file, and click Open. Step 6: Step 7: Click Preview to view your message before it is posted. Click Submit to post your message.

37 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 37 Step 8: Your thread will be displayed with a icon. Expand All/Collapse All When replies are posted to a thread you have the ability to view all of the replies by clicking Expand All or you can close (hide) all messages added under the original thread by clicking Collapse All. If you select Collapse All, messages added to the original thread will be displayed by a numerical value before the icon. The value represents the number of new postings under that thread. If you select Expand All, messages added to the original thread will be displayed beneath it as a reply with a icon. Searching within a Forum You have the ability to search for a thread within a specific forum.

38 Page 38 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition To search for a specific thread: Click the Search link. Select the appropriate search criteria and click the Search button. The In Forum field will be populated with name of the current forum. The search results will be displayed. The word or phrase that you entered in the Keywords field will be in Bold. If you did not click Expand Message on the Search Criteria screen, you will see collapsed results. Example of Collapsed Results: Example of Expanded Results:

39 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 39 Click the browser s Back button to return to the Thread view or click the Search button to perform another search. Thread Options You have the ability to manipulate your view of threads by utilizing the following thread options. Click the Show Options tab. The thread options appear. The tab changes from Show Options to Hide Options. The Thread Options are: Select All: Unselect: Invert: Read: Unread: Collect: Lock: This option puts a check in the box of all the messages listed within the forum. This can be used when you are removing all of the threads from the forum, or when you wish to lock all of the threads in the forum. This option allows you to remove the check mark from the all of the selected items. This option inverts your previous selection. For example: If you previously clicked Select All, you can click Invert to Unselect All. This option will mark a message as read, removing the icon. You can execute this by clicking the checkbox of the desired message. This option will mark a message as unread, adding the icon. You can execute this by clicking the checkbox of the desired message. This option will collect all of the messages you wish to view and display them on one page. You can execute this by clicking the checkbox of the desired message. This option will lock a thread so that no additional messages can be added. The thread and following messages can be viewed, but not added to. You can

40 Page 40 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition execute this by clicking the checkbox of the desired message. The lock icon will be displayed. Unlock: Remove: When a thread is locked, all of the messages belonging to it are locked as well. This option will unlock a previously locked thread. You can execute this by clicking the checkbox of the desired message. This option will remove a thread or message. You can execute this by clicking the checkbox of the desired message. This function can be used when a student posts inappropriate or incorrect messages. When you remove a thread, all of the messages belonging to it are removed as well. To modify thread options: Check the boxes next to the messages you would like to modify. Click the name of the option you would like to perform. The function will take effect. Create/View Archives You can create archives for use with your discussion board. These archives should be populated with previous discussions on subject matter that is pertinent to the specific forum. The archives can then be used as reference material by users. Click the Click Here for Archives link. Click the Add Archive button.

41 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 41 Enter an archive title and description. Step 5: Step 6: You can keep the default text type of Smart Text. This format allows you to display traditional text as well as render basic HTML tags if you choose to use them. Determine whether you would like the archive and its messages to be available to students by clicking the checkbox. Click the Submit button. The new archive is created. Modify Archives The modify archives function is used when adding threads to the archive. Click the Modify button. Select the thread(s) you would like to move to the new archive, by clicking in the box shown to the left of the thread. When a thread is moved, all messages following are moved as well.

42 Page 42 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Click the Submit button. A receipt will appear confirming the process. You can either create another archive by clicking the Add Archive button or return to Thread view by clicking the Back button of your browser. Remove Archives Clicking the Remove button within the archives will release all archived threads back into the forum. Click the Remove button. Answer OK in the confirmation box. Sort by Criteria You can modify message display by using Sort By. Select the desired viewing criteria from the drop down list.

43 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 43 Modifying Forums In the Forum View, instructors have the capability to make changes to the forums. Within Forum View click the Modify button of the forum you would like to modify. Make the appropriate adjustments in Title, Descriptions, and Forum Settings. (Refer to the Creating Forums section of this manual for additional information)

44 Page 44 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition If necessary, modify the privileges and accessibility of the users in the course. The Forum User Settings are a way to grant administrator privileges for a specific forum to a Global Virtual Faculty member (or a select student). As an instructor, you always have administrative privileges for all forums. However, Global Virtual Faculty members have the same access as a student. a: This function grants the user Forum Administrator privileges. This will allow the user to make changes within the specific forum. This function is useful when a course has both an Instructor and a Global Virtual Faculty member. This function can be assigned by selecting the desired user and clicking the Admin button. The Normal button will revoke Forum Administrator privileges. A: This function grants the user Permanent Forum Administrator privileges. This is

45 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 45 automatically assigned to you as the course instructor. b: This function blocks specific students from posting to a forum. However, the students will still have Read Only access. This can be assigned by selecting the desired user and clicking the Block button. The Unblock button will reinstate the user's posting privileges. Click the Submit button. You will be returned to Forum View. Click Return to Control Panel to continue building your course. Removing Forums In the Forum View, instructors have the ability to remove forums. This is useful when discussions are based on time-sensitive issues, such as a current event topic. The forum can be removed when the issue has expired. Within Forum View click the Remove button of the forum you would like to remove. Answer OK to both of the confirmations. Removing a forum is an irreversible action. The forum is removed and Forum View is updated. Virtual Classroom (OPTIONAL) Blackboard also provides a synchronous communication tool, which requires users to be available at the same time to have a conversation. The Virtual Classroom provides the following features: Chat, Question & Answer, and Whiteboard (for drawing and web page display). You must have Java and JavaScript enabled on your web browser to run the Virtual Classroom. Click on the Communication button from the Navigation bar. Select Virtual Classroom. Choose Enter Virtual Classroom.

46 Page 46 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Using the various areas in the Virtual Classroom you can draw, ask questions, navigate web pages, or carry on a chat. Student View URL locator Whiteboard Area Chat Screen Question & Answer Tab Instructors have three additional tabs Slides In Box for Questions Access Control The Access Control tab allows you to enable and disable student access to Chat, Q&A, Draw, and Navigate. The Floor option allows you to grant access to a single user while restricting other students.

47 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 47 BLANK FOR: BLACKBOARD VIRTUAL CLASSROOM FEATURES

48 Page 48 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Tips for Using Virtual Classroom (OPTIONAL) The Virtual Classroom is a separate program that runs within Blackboard and may take a few minutes to load. Encourage students to log in five minutes early to insure that they are on time. The Virtual Classroom can be tricky to use at first for both instructors and students. The instructor has a multitude of things to attend to: guiding the chat, answering questions (only visible by checking the Incoming Questions Panel), setting access control, and using slides and the whiteboard. Turn off features when they are not being used (see below). Write out a script beforehand, saving instructions or questions in a word processing program and then pasting them into the chat when needed. Post instructions for the chat session in a document in the course. The Virtual Classroom can be disabled for the course, but enabled for a group. Instructors may wish to create groups consisting of the instructor and a single student for private office hours. If you want to have more control over what students are doing, you can block them from any of the four activities (Question, Chat, Draw, and Navigate) or use the floor option. The floor option is comparable to raising your hand in class; students cannot perform any activity until the instructor has acknowledged and granted their request for the floor. Instructors are given the Access Control Panel (far right tab at the bottom half of the window), which controls student access to: Question, Chat, Draw, and Navigate. If students use the Virtual Classroom for social chat, you may not wish to have the chat archives cluttered with social chatter. Set guidelines for the use of a chat. Create a group with all students in it and enable only Virtual Classroom and/or the Discussion Board. Remember, it is still important to set guidelines for conduct in these areas.

49 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 49 All chat sessions that happen on the same day are archived into one file. This archive cannot be edited. Archives include time stamps for participant login and out, chat text, web addresses entered in the whiteboard, etc. The actual contents of the whiteboard are not archived. A session will not archive until everyone has logged out of the session. These archives can be made unavailable to students. You can post excerpts of chats by copying and pasting text into a document or message. Download and save the archived chat file for the appropriate date, then delete it from the course. Roster The Roster provides a list of the first and last names of students enrolled in the course. It also lists the address for each student. Clicking on a student s name will bring you to his/her Blackboard Homepage (set up through Tools). Clicking on a student s address will open an e- mail addressed to the student using the mail program that is set as the default on your computer. Group Pages Click on the Communication button from the Navigation bar. Select the Group Pages button. Select the Group Name that you are assigned to.

50 Page 50 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition If you wish to access a group, you must make yourself a member of the group, even though you are an instructor. Select which Group Tool you wish to use. Creating Groups Select Manage Groups from the User Management section from the Control Panel Click Add Forum to create a new forum for discussion. Click the Add Group button. Enter a Group Name and Group Description. Select which communication tools that you would like to give the group access to by checking the box to the left of the feature.

51 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 51 Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Click Submit. Answer OK to the confirmation. Click Add Users To Group. Step 8: Step 9: Use the Search option of List All to get a list of users. Select the users for the group by checking the box to the left of the user s name.

52 Page 52 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition If you wish to access a group, you must make yourself a member of the group, even though you are an instructor. Step10: Step 11: Click Submit. Answer OK to the confirmation. Tools The Tools area, like the Communication area, is customizable by course based on instructor preference. All options here may not be available for your course. The instructor can enable or disable features on a class-by-class basis using the Control Panel. (Refer to the Course Options section of this manual for additional information) These tools are specific to the course and allow students to do the following: exchange files, check their grades, build a course Web page and view calendar

53 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 53 events. Below is a table with a description and example of each of the features available from the Tools box. Electronic file exchange between instructor and students. Instructors will access this feature through the Control Panel. Students can view grades on assignments. Students and instructors build and modify the homepage accessible in the Communication area. Users can post information about themselves. A blank page is created by default in each course. Online resource guide to functions and features of Blackboard software. (Student manual) Instructors can access an Instructor manual through the Control Panel. Set CD drive. You cannot change your address or password in blackboard (see reminder below). Organize projects, define priority, and track task status. Users can create tasks and post them to the Tasks page. Each user can post personal tasks to their page. Customizable listing of course and personal events. Users store contact information in the Address Book. The Address Book is empty until the user enters contacts. REMINDER: Since your address is carried over from Webmail, YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS. However, if you would like, you can forward your Webmail to a different address. Your password is also tied to Webmail, so IF YOU WISH TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD, YOU MUST CHANGE IT IN YOUR WEBMAIL ACCOUNT. Please note that it may take UP TO 36 HOURS for the Blackboard system to update your new password. Until then, you may continue to use your current password.

54 Page 54 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Digital Drop Box Below are suggestions on how to best use the Digital Drop Box: Stress that students MUST: 1. Submit assignments in HTML format. 2. Include their name and assignment info in the document s title. 3. Include their name and assignment info within the document. If you plan to simply read the submissions and send generic comments: DO NOT SEND THE FILE BACK WITH COMMENTS. Even if you enter a title or comment in the Upload New File section, they will be ignored by Blackboard. Only the original title and comments, as submitted by the student, get transferred. Instead, you should SEND AN to the student through Blackboard or your regular program. If necessary, you can copy and paste excerpts from the submission into the . If you plan to comment specifically within the document: You MUST DOWNLOAD the file to your hard drive in some fashion and then SEND THE EDITED FILE BACK to the student. If you are on-line during off-peak times, download a number of files for editing later. This will save you time and frustration when the Internet is busy. Create a folder in My Documents to save class documents. If necessary, change the name of the file to identify the student and assignment. By saving your class s documents in this folder you will be able to stay organized and delete files from your Digital Drop Box. The example below creates the folder Global Challenge F01. You may additionally choose to create folders for each assignment within the Global Challenge folder (e.g. Assignment 1, Assignment 2, etc.) for further organization. When downloading or saving a file, the Save As window will open. (Refer to Netscape or Internet Explorer sections for additional information)

55 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 55 If necessary, change the File Name (e.g. mcdonald2.htm). Step 5: Step 6: Click the Create New Folder button. Name the folder. Open the folder. Create and open additional folders if you would like (e.g. Assignment 1 and Assignment 2). Step 6: Click Save. Download and delete as many files as possible from the Drop Box: You should try to keep the number of documents in your drop box to a minimum. This will keep down the amount of time required to load the Digital Drop Box. Also, you cannot reorder the entries in the Digital Drop Box so it will become cumbersome to locate a particular file. If necessary, make sure that you have downloaded a copy of the file. From the Digital Drop Box window, click the Remove button to the right of the file name. Confirm the removal by clicking OK Confirm the receipt by clicking OK.

56 Page 56 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition When editing student work, use different font options such as color, size, and style so that your comments will stand out. Click where you would like to insert a comment. Select your font options. In Word, use the toolbar options or select Font from the Format menu. In Netscape Composer: Step 5: Type in your comments. Repeat as necessary. SAVE OFTEN! Digital Drop Box Internet Explorer Users

57 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 57 Instructors access the Digital Drop Box from the Course Tools section of the Control Panel. Once you enter the Digital Drop Box, all entries will be listed chronologically with the following information: Title, Submitted By, Received On, and Comments. Viewing Files Submitted by Students in the Digital Drop Box: The way files are accessed depends on the format of the file: (HTML format) (non- HTML format) If the student has submitted the file in HTML format, it will open right into the Blackboard interface. If the student has NOT submitted the file in HTML format, you may have trouble accessing the file. It should be stressed to students that all assignments should be submitted in HTML format. This format will avoid incompatibility issues with software applications and/or software versions. If you have trouble opening the file, send an to the student requesting that he/she resubmit the file in HTML format. If you have compatible software installed and configured on your computer, the document will open right into Blackboard. You can make comments right in the document if you would like. If you choose to edit the document, you must save the document to your hard drive. The Save As function is available from the File menu. Use the Back button on your browser to return to the Digital Drop Box. If you have made any changes and did not save, you will be prompted to do so at this time. If you do not have compatible software installed on your computer, you will get the following pop-up window and be prompted to save the file to disk. Click Cancel to return to the Digital Drop Box. Send an to the student requesting that he/she resubmit the document in HTML format. The SAVE AS feature prompts you for a location to save the document and allows you to change the name of the document. Downloading Files You may want to download a batch of documents for editing later or in order to delete files.

58 Page 58 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition From the Digital Drop Box window, right-click the Title of the assignment. Select Save Target As with a left-click. You will be prompted with the Save As window. Step 5: If necessary, change the File Name. Select a convenient location and click Save. (Refer to the Digital Drop Box Suggestions section of this manual) Editing a Student s File (HTML format) Files can be downloaded and then opened in a word processing application (e.g. Microsoft Word) OR opened in the browser using Microsoft Word. To open a downloaded file in Microsoft Word: Open a word processor. Select Open from the File menu. Be sure to select All Files under Files of Type. Any editing and saving can be done in the word processing application. The file will be saved in HTML format automatically.

59 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 59 To open a file in the browser using Microsoft Word before downloading: From the Digital Drop Box window, right-click the Title of the assignment. Select Open in New Window with a left-click. From the File menu, select Edit with Microsoft Word for Windows. Any editing and saving can be done in Word. The file will be saved in HTML format automatically. Sending a File to a Student If necessary, save the document in HTML format

60 Page 60 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Most word processors have an option to save documents in HTML format. Below is an example using Microsoft Word. From the File menu, select Save As. Select Web Page (*.htm; *.html) from the Save As Type pull down menu. From the Digital Drop Box window, click the Send File button. Do NOT use the Add File button. That feature is used for storing files on the server but NOT SENDING them. Select the student to receive the document. Multiple students can be selected at one time by clicking on each student s name while holding down the control key.

61 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 61 Enter an assignment Title and any Comments. Step 5: Click Browse, locate and select the file to be sent and click Open. Step 5: Step 6: The file s name will appear in the File field, click Submit. Confirm the receipt by clicking OK. You will be returned to the Digital Drop Box where you will see the Title listed with a Submitted date and any Comments. Digital Drop Box Netscape Users Instructors access the Digital Drop Box from the Course Tools section of the Control Panel. Once you enter the Digital Drop Box, all entries will be listed chronologically with the following information: Title, Submitted By, Received On, and Comments.

62 Page 62 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Viewing Files Submitted by Students in the Digital Drop Box: The way files are accessed depends on the format of the file: (HTML format) (non- HTML format) If the student has submitted the file in HTML format, it will open right into the Blackboard interface. If the student has NOT submitted the file in HTML format, you may have trouble accessing the file. It should be stressed to students that all assignments should be submitted in HTML format. This format will avoid incompatibility issues with software applications and/or software versions. If you have trouble opening the file, send an to the student requesting that he/she resubmit the file in HTML format. If you have compatible software installed on your computer, the document will be accessed in its original application (e.g. MS Word or Word Perfect), outside of Blackboard. You will be prompted on how to handle the file as follows: OPEN IT automatically launches the document into the original application (e.g. MS Word or Word Perfect), outside of Blackboard where it can be edited if necessary. If you choose to edit the document, you must save the document to your hard drive. The Save As function is available from the File menu. You will have to switch back to your browser to continue working in Blackboard. SAVE IT TO DISK prompts you to save the document to your hard drive. After saving the document you will be returned to the Digital Drop Box. You will be able to open the document in the original application (e.g. MS Word or Word Perfect), outside of Blackboard. Any comments can be made and saved in the application. The SAVE AS feature prompts you for a location to save the document and allows you to change the name of the document. If you do not have compatible software installed on your computer, Netscape will try to load the document into the browser anyway. You may get a blank page or a page with garbled text. Send an to the student requesting that he/she resubmit the file in HTML format.

63 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 63 Downloading Files You may want to download a batch of documents for editing later or in order to delete files. From the Digital Drop Box window, right-click the Title of the assignment. Select Save Link As with a left-click. You will be prompted with the Save As window. Step 5: If necessary, change the File Name. Select a convenient location and click Save. (Refer to the Digital Drop Box Suggestions section of this manual) Editing a Student s File (HTML format) Files can be downloaded and then opened in a word processing application (e.g. Microsoft Word) OR edited right in the Netscape using the Composer feature.

64 Page 64 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition To open a downloaded file in Microsoft Word: Open a word processor. Select Open from the File menu. Be sure to select All Files under Files of Type. Any editing and saving can be done in the word processing application. The file will be saved in HTML format automatically. To edit a file using Netscape Composer: From the Digital Drop Box window, right-click the Title of the assignment. Select Open Link in Composer with a left-click. The document will open into a new window in Netscape Composer. Traditional editing and saving can be done in this window. The file will be saved in HTML format. Sending a File to a Student If necessary, save the document in HTML format Most word processors have an option to save documents in HTML format. Below is an example using Microsoft Word.

65 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 65 From the File menu, select Save As. Select Web Page (*.htm; *.html) from the Save As Type pull down menu. From the Digital Drop Box window, click the Send File button. Do NOT use the Add File button. That feature is used for storing files on the server but NOT SENDING them. Select the student to receive the document. Multiple students can be selected at one time by clicking on each student s name while holding down the control key. Enter an assignment Title and any Comments.

66 Page 66 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 5: Click Browse, locate and select the file to be sent and click Open. Step 5: Step 6: The file s name will appear in the File field, click Submit. Confirm the receipt by clicking OK. You will be returned to the Digital Drop Box where you will see the Title listed with a Submitted date and any Comments. Editing Your Homepage This tool allows instructors and students to build and modify the homepage accessible in the Communication area. Users can post information about themselves. A blank page is created by default, each time a new student registers into the course. Click Tools from the Navigation buttons. Click Edit Your Homepage from the buttons available. Enter text into the Intro Message and Personal Information areas.

67 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 67 Click the Browse button to upload a saved picture of yourself from a disk or a drive of your computer. Step 5: Enter the Title, URL and Description of websites you would like to share. Step 6: Click Update Homepage to complete your homepage.

68 Page 68 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Calendar The Calendar is available to all users and is a very useful tool for tracking deadlines and assignments across the Blackboard system. When viewed from within the course Web site, the Calendar only displays information relevant to that particular course. However, users can also view their calendar through the My FDU interface, which will allow them to see an aggregated view of all of their institutional, course, and personal events. The default view shows the day s events, however, users may also select a weekly or monthly view by clicking on the appropriate tab (View Day, View Week, or View Month). Events can be filtered by category through the pull-down menu, which is set to All Events by default. You can move backward or forward from a date by clicking the arrows to the left or right of the date. You can move to a particular date by clicking the Quick Jump link, see activity below for details. In the example below, you will use the Calendar to mark the dates of your rain forest seminar.

69 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 69 Step 5: Select Course Calendar from the Course Tools section in the Control Panel. Click the Add Event button. In the Event Title field, type: Class Breakfast. In Event Description type: A rain forest theme breakfast will be served during our first session. Make a note of next Monday s date. Then use the Event Date drop-down lists to select next Monday. Step 6: Set the Start Time to 9 a.m and the Stop Time to 10 a.m. You do not have to assign a minute value. Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Step 10: Click the Submit button. Click OK button. You will be returned back to the calendar. Click on the Quick Jump button. Enter next Monday's date in the drop-down lists.

70 Page 70 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 11: Step 12: Click Submit. The calendar will jump to that day. From the calendar screen, click on the event title, Class Breakfast, to view the description of the event. Step 13: Step 14: Click OK to return to the calendar view. Return to the Control Panel of the course by clicking the Control Panel link in the navigation path in the upper left corner of your course. Grades The Global Challenge has been set up with non-graded self-assessments that are NOT required. These assessments have 0 points associated with them. When your sections are created, the assessments are not available. You must make them available. They will then show up in your gradebook and on the student s page (even though they do not count towards the student s grade). Blackboard also allows you to add your own assignments for grading purposes. The graded assignments (as described in the course syllabus) and class participations grades must be added to your course.

71 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 71 To make an assessment available: Select Assessment Manager from the Assessment section in the Control Panel. Click the Set Availability button to the right of the assessment. Select Yes under the Make Assessment Available option. Step 5: Click the Submit button. Confirm the receipt by clicking the OK button. To add graded assignments and class participation: Select Online Gradebook from the Assessment section in the Control Panel. Select Spreadsheet View. Click Add Item button.

72 Page 72 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Enter text in Name field. Select an item Type from the pull-down menu. Enter the number of points as per the syllabus. Select Yes for the Make item visible option. Step 8: Step 9: Click the Submit button. Confirm the receipt by clicking the OK button. Be sure to create items for Class Participation. To record grades for a particular item: Select Online Gradebook from the Assessment section in the Control Panel. Select Report By Item. Spreadsheet View can be used to click on an entry and enter grades one at a time. Report By Item will allow you to enter all of the grades for a particular item on one screen. Use the Search or List All option to find the item. Click on Grades button. Step 5: Enter the students grades in the Scores box. Step 8: Click the Submit button.

73 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 73 Step 9: Confirm the receipt by clicking the OK button. Tasks The Tasks page organizes projects (referred to as tasks), defines task priority, and tracks task status. A user can create tasks and post them to the Tasks page. Each user can post personal tasks to their page, instructors can post tasks to users participating in their course, and system administrators can post tasks to all users Tasks pages. Task information is arranged in columns that display the priority, task name, status, and due date. To view task details, click on a task from the Task page. The task details display the task name, due date, priority, status, and a description of the task. To Add a Task for your class: In the Control Panel Select Tasks from the Course Tools section. Click the Add Task button.

74 Page 74 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Fill in the appropriate text into the Title and Description fields. Use the pull down menus to select a Due Date. Use the pull down menus to select a Priority. Click the Submit button. Confirm the receipt by clicking the OK button. Address Book Users store contact information in the Address Book. The Address Book is empty until the user enters contacts. Users must enter in a profile for anyone they wish to add to their address book, even if the contact is a system user. The Address Book contains a search function at the top of the page. User can search using different variables selected from the search tabs. The Search tab allows you to search by Last Name or . The A-Z, 0-9 tab allows you to create a list of all contacts with a last name that begins with that character.

75 Blackboard 5 Instructor s Edition Page 75 To Add a Contact: Select Address Book from the Tools box in the My FDU area. Click the Add Contact button. Fill in the appropriate Personal Information and Other Information. Step 5: Fill in the appropriate Personal Information and Other Information. Click the Submit button. Confirm the receipt by clicking the OK button.