1. Welcome to Blackboard Learn Alan Masson, Colette Murphy Tuesday 15 th March, 2011 Technology Facilitated Learning Access and Distributed Learning

2. Session Aim This session aims to provide an overview of the new institution virtual learning environment (VLE) Blackboard Learn and provide guidance on getting started with a Course migrated from WebCT Vista 8.

3. Benefits of Blackboard Learn  Improved user interface  New and enhanced assessment and feedback tools  Enhanced communication, collaboration and alert tools  Ability to integrate new tools and technologies (incl. mobile access)  System integrated with Active Directory (same passwords to login) and University Email System (New feature)

4. Key Dates & Information  Test System – http://bblearn.ulster.ac.uk  Live System Migration of Semester 1 Modules (Late March) Migration of Semester 2 Modules (Late June)

5. F E D C B A Instructor View A.Content Frame B.Course Menu C.Control Panel D.Edit Button E.Page Header F.Breadcrumbs

6. A Migrated Course – What to do 1.Migration Log File 2.Course Menu 3.Course Tools 4.Date/Time (Adaptive Release) 5.Links 6.Assessment Functionality 7.Course Content 8.Course enhancements 9.Request Module Access

7. 1. Migration Log File 1 2 3

8. 2. Course Menu: Determining the Content Organisation – 3 common approaches ChronologicalBy Subject AreaType of Content

9. 2. Course Menu – Edit items A.Use the drag-and-drop function to reorder links on the Course Menu. B.Alternatively, use the Keyboard Accessible Reordering Tool to reorder the links. C.Click a link’s Action Link and select Hide Link to make a link unavailable to students.

10. 2. Course Menu - Add New Course Item 1.In Edit Mode, above the Course Menu, click the plus sign. 2.Select Content Area. 3.Enter a Name for the link. 4.Select whether it will be Available to Users. 5.Click Submit.

11. 3: Course Tools - Add a Tool Link 1.In Edit Mode, above the Course Menu, click the Create Item icon, shown as a plus sign. 2.Select the Tool Link. 3.Enter a Name for the link. 4.From the Type drop-down list, select the tool to add. 5.Select whether the tool will be Available to Users. 6.Click Submit.

12. 4: Update Dates and Times – Adaptive Release

13. 4: Adaptive Release Rules

15. 5: Check Links Check web links throughout your course. Absolute links (that link to a definite area within WebCT) will need to be corrected. Check links to content (e.g. word docs, PDFs) in the Course Collection are displaying correctly.

16. 6: Assessment Functionality 1.In Edit Mode, access the Content Area. 2.On the Content Area’s Action Bar, click Create Assessment. 3.On the drop-down list, select Assignment. 16

17. Creating Assignments 4.Enter a Name. 5.Add Instructions. 6.Attach a file (Optional). 7.Enter Points Possible. 8.Select Availability and Attempt* options. *Note: Under Availability, if you allow more than one attempt, Grade Center uses the most recent attempt. A different attempt can be used for the score by editing the column in the Grade Center. 17

18. Creating Assignments: Due Dates & Recipients Optionally, select a Due Date. Select the radio node by the intended Recipients. 18

19. Editing and Managing Assignments 19

20. 7: Course Content Content Areas – Flexible Organization A. Course Menu B. Content Area

21. Adding Items and Tools to a Content Area 3 Creating Your Course Menu The following can be added to Content Areas: Items, which can contain text, files, and images Individual tool links Multimedia (audio, video, slide presentations) Folders Tests and surveys Assignments External Links Course Links Module Pages

22. Using the Text Editor  The first row contains functions for formatting text, similar to functions in a word processor.  The second row contains functions for working with existing text: spell check, cut and paste, undo, and markup validation.  The third row contains functions for attaching documents, images, and media files. This row appears only in selected areas within Blackboard Learn. For example, it is available when adding items to Content Areas, but not when creating questions in Test Manager. NOTE: Collapse any row using the caret to the left of the row. 22

23. Adding Items to a Content Area 1.In Edit Mode, access the Content Area. 2.Click on Build Content, then select Create > Item. 3.Enter the item’s Name and Text.

24. Adding Items to a Content Area 4.Or, add a file(s). 5.Select viewing and tracking options.

25. Editing the Items in a Content Area

26. Changing the Content Order

27. 8: Course Enhancements

28. 9: Request Module Access http://athens.ulster.ac.uk/ModuleAccessRequest

29. New / Improved Tools 1.Groups Page 2.My Groups Menu. 3.Link to Group Homepage. 4.Group Homepage tailored for each Group

30. Early Warning System  Early Warning System rules can be set up to monitor learner engagement and allow instructors to act upon this, e.g. monitor vulnerable students who haven’t accessed the course area in the last seven days.

31. Associated initiative - Copyright  Staff will be required to formally sign off their VLE content as copyright compliant from AY 2011-12 onwards (via the module access system)  Transition process – window of opportunity to review content both educationally and wrt copyright.

32. Copyright support resources  A range of support resources have been developed by the University Copyright Officer www.ulster.ac.uk/copyright (note the FAQ section)www.ulster.ac.uk/copyright Copyright awareness course (WebCT and BbLearn) Copyright Guidance Notice for people placing content on a VLE (handout)  These resources will be highlighted on the BbLearn homepage  Copyright queries should be sent to the University Copyright Officer (see above website)

33. TFL Support Mechanisms  Blackboard Learn Information Point http://ulster.ac.uk/bbinfo  On Demand Learning Centre http://ondemand.blackboard.com/  Skills Workshop & Drop in Clinics

34. Thank you for listening  Q&A  Evaluation

35. Contact Details NameEmailTel. 028… Room Alan Masson Head of TFL aj.masson@ ulster.ac.uk 903 66064 02H18A Colette Murphy Technology Supported Learning Facilitator c.murphy1@ ulster.ac.uk 903 66140 02H04 David McClure Copyright Services Development Officer dj.mcclure@ ulster.ac.uk 701 24364 L136