Student Blackboard Tutorials: A Description

Instructional Technology has developed 13 modules that will introduce students to the BC learning management system, Blackboard. Each module contains step-by-step visuals and videos to assist you with your e-Learning courses. Use the left hand menu to select the tool you wish to learn about.

1.     Announcements: Many instructors will use the announcements tool to communicate important course information (e.g., study reminders, assignment due dates, test dates, holidays, etc.). It is therefore essential that you know how to use this tool, so that you won't miss any important messages from your instructors.

2.     Assessments: Many of your e-Learning courses will require that you take quizzes and tests within Blackboard. Accordingly, you need to know how to access and take assessments from within your blended and fully online courses.

3.     Assignments: Many of your e-learning courses will require you to submit assignments (to be graded) using the assignments tool. Accordingly, it is essential that you know how to access course assignments and how to submit assignments using the assignment dropbox.

4.     Calendar: Instructors may use the calendar tool as an easy way to have a centralized location of assignment due dates, events, and test dates so that students can prepare to have a successful semester. In addition, you may create personal entries that are not related to any course.

5.     Course Tools: Course tools are functions in your e-learning courses that allow you to perform specific activities (e.g., send a mail message, contribute to a discussion, access the course syllabus, view announcements, etc.). It is therefore essential that you know how to access specific course tools.

6.     Discussions: Your e-learning courses may require you to contribute to online discussions. It is therefore essential that you know how to access, read, and contribute to discussion topics.

7.     Help Desk: The e-Learning Help Desk is available 24-hours a day, 7-days per week to assist you with any technical problems you may experience. You may contact the e-Learning Help Desk toll free at: 800-640-8715.

8.     Login and Browser Check: The login and browser check module demonstrates how to run a browser check to ensure your browser is properly configured for the learning management system. Additionally, the module demonstrates how to login to all of your web-enhanced, blended, and fully online courses.

9.     Learning Modules: Learning Modules (i.e., course content) will be presented to students in an organized way. More specifically, lecture notes, assignments, discussions, and assessments will be grouped into units, chapters, or weeks within your e-Learning courses. Throughout the semester, instructors will provide students with numerous learning materials (e.g., lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations, instructional videos, etc.) and assessments (e.g., assignments, group projects, discussions, quizzes, and tests). It is therefore essential that you know how to access and navigate learning modules within your e-learning courses.

10.  Mail: The mail module describes the mail tool and demonstrates how to access the mail tool from within an e-learning course. Additionally, the module demonstrates how to read, reply, print, forward, and delete mail messages.

11.  My Grades: The My Grades tool enables students to track their progress throughout their e-Learning courses. More specifically, My Grades provides students with their scores on assignments, tests, discussions, etc. throughout the semester. Accordingly, you will need to know how to access the My Grades tool.

12.  Syllabus: The syllabus is a detailed description of your e-Learning course. It contains important information including: (1) how to contact your instructor, (2) course outcomes, (3) prerequisites (if any), (4) required materials, (5) methods of instruction, (6) attendance and participation policies, (7) schedule, assignments, and due dates, (8) grading policy, (9) communication policy, and additional policies and procedures specific to the course. Students are expected to refer to the syllabus often throughout the semester. Thus, it is essential that students know how to access the important document.

13.  Web Links: The web links tool is used to provide Internet addresses to students. Your instructor may require you to access various Internet sites throughout the course, and thus it is essential that you know how to use the Web Links tool.