Blackboard Basics

BLACKBOARD BASICS

Support Training Series

from

Technology Enhanced Learning Services

©

Yavapai College1100 East Sheldon StreetPrescott, Arizona 86301Phone 928-771-6120

Table of Contents

T

ECHNOLOGY

E

NHANCED

L

EARNING

S

ERVICES

........................................................................................ 1

INTRODUCTION TO ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY INBLACKBOARD ........................................................................................................................................... 1

C

OMMUNICATING

E

FFECTIVELY

O

NLINE

U

TILIZING

E

MAIL

,

A

NNOUNCEMENTS AND

D

ISCUSSION

F

ORUM

1

Learning Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 1

Send Email in Blackboard .................................................................................................................... 2

Checking Email Addresses in Blackboard ............................................................................................ 4

Junk Email and Bulk Mail ..................................................................................................................... 4

Best Practices on Communicating with Email ...................................................................................... 5

Posting Announcements in Blackboard ................................................................................................ 6

Create a Discussion Forum in Blackboard ........................................................................................... 8

Adding Discussion Threads in Blackboard ........................................................................................... 9

Managing Your Discussion Forums.................................................................................................... 10

A

DDING

C

ONTENT TO

B

LACKBOARD

........................................................................................................ 11

Learning Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 11

Adding a Folder .................................................................................................................................. 11

Adding an Item .................................................................................................................................... 13

Adding an External Link ..................................................................................................................... 14

Adding a Course Link ......................................................................................................................... 15

Adding an Assignment ......................................................................................................................... 16

Adding and Managing Gradebook Items ............................................................................................ 17

1

Introduction to Essential Skillsfor Teaching with Technologyin Blackboard

All course sections that are currently listed in the AMIS or Registration systemnow have a Blackboard component available for instructors to utilize. There are anumber of essential skills that are necessary for online teaching and learning.This three-hour session will cover the

basic

computer skills required foreffectively teaching an online course utilizing the Blackboard system. Thedifferent sections we will be covering include:

•

Communicating effectively online utilizing email, announcements, and thediscussion forum;

•

Adding content to Blackboard using folders, items, external links, courselinks and assignments;

•

Adding and managing gradebook items;.

Communicating Effectively Online UtilizingEmail, Announcements and Discussion Forum

Interaction is the most important aspect for student success in an online course.By allowing opportunities for the students to communicate with one another, itenhances their learning by letting them question and discuss issues in thecourse. As an instructor, you need to decide the level of interaction you want tohave with each student - and build the courses accordingly.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this section, learners will be able to:

•

Use email for effective communication as an online instructor;

•

Send an email from the Blackboard system;

•

Check the listed email address of students in the course;

•

Inform students of junk mail and bulk email issues;

•

Understand the best practices for effectively communicating to yourstudents online;