Blackboard for SLIS Students Prepared by Joan Weeks, Computer Labs Manager May 2011
Blackboard for SLIS Students Learning Goal: This workshop will focus on using the main features of Blackboard 8 to access course materials, lectures, post assignments, join in discussions, and participate in the virtual lecture hall. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course, participants will be able to: Login and access a course Access menu features for lectures and course documents Participate in the discussion forum Put a file in the digital drop box Load the Java application to run the virtual lecture hall. Enter the virtual lecture hall and participate in chat Push web pages to participate in a synchronous session
Unit 1 Getting Started in Blackboard Topic 1 Accessing BB8 CUA is currently using version 8 of Blackboard. Many times you will hear people refer to it as BB8. You may access BB8 from several ways. 1. Enter URL http://bb8.cua.edu. You may want to Bookmark this URL for easy access. 2. Click on the link via http://home.cua.edu and then click on Sakai and Blackboard. Sakai is not currently supported. 3. Click the link via the SLIS Technology Resources page at: http://slis.cua.edu/tech/index.cfm Topic 2 Logging into BB8 You may log into BB8 on the opening screen using your regular CUA network User ID and password. This is not your Cardinal Station User ID and Password. If you do not have your network ID and PW your network logon username and first time, temporary password can be found by logging onto Cardinal Station, and navigating as follows: Student Self-Service > Student Center > Personal Information > CUA Logon Accounts. You will be automatically enrolled in your courses that use BB8. BBforSLISstudents.doc 1 May 2011
Topic 3 Opening Screen The opening screen will display your courses. Select the link for the course you want to enter. 1. Each instructor may tailor the main menu to suit the needs of the course but most of these items will not affect the way you may access the course. The main course screen can display announcements and will have a navigation area on the left side. You may select the linked bars at the side to access course materials, lectures, assignments and the discussion board. We will select the Lectures Bar in the Course Menu 2. The lectures screen will open and you may left click on the link to display the lecture in BB8 or right click on the lecture and download it into your pc. BBforSLISstudents.doc 2 May 2011
3. Course Documents can include instructional materials or lectures. Sometimes individual items are in a folder or just have a single file. You can left click on the folder to open the individual files. 4. Assignments are available for easy access.. BBforSLISstudents.doc 3 May 2011
5. Websites can be displayed within BB8. We will select the External Links bar. The External Link will open within Blackboard for you. BBforSLISstudents.doc 4 May 2011
Topic 4 Using the Digital Drop Box 1. Click on Tools 2. Click on the Digital dropbox 3. Click on Add File. You do not need to send your file. The instructor will see it in the digital drop box. BBforSLISstudents.doc 5 May 2011
4. Name your file. Please use your last name in the Name area as well. Click on browse and locate your file on the hard drive of your computer. 5. Locate your file and click open. This will put your paper in the drop box then click Submit. You can submit your papers via the digital dropbox to limit large file size for email attachments. BBforSLISstudents.doc 6 May 2011
Topic 5 Uploading Assignments Some instructors may create a special assignments area in Blackboard and use method of viewing and submitting assignments. 1. Click on Assignments. 2. View the assignment. 3. Right click and download the assignment, if desired. 4. Click Attach file to upload your assignment. Topic 6 Discussion Forums In many blended courses, students are expected to make postings to discussion forums on a frequent basis. 1. Click on the Discussion Board button. 2. Click on the Forum link. 3. You may add a new thread by clicking the button. BBforSLISstudents.doc 7 May 2011
4. You should add the subject and your comment as well as attach any necessary files then click the Submit button. 5. If you want to comment on an existing thread, you may click the hyperlink of the thread. 6. You may reply to the post or to any subsequent posts in that thread. BBforSLISstudents.doc 8 May 2011
Topic 7 Opening the Virtual Lecture Hall In order to communicate in real time, Blackboard has a Virtual Classroom where you can communicate in an Instant Messaging format as well as push and/or view web pages. Note: You must disable popup blockers for this site, and you must enable Java Scripts. 1. Click on the Communication button. 2. In the right panel, click on Collaboration BBforSLISstudents.doc 9 May 2011
3. In the Virtual Classroom area, click on join. 4. In order to participate in the Lecture Hall Virtual Classroom, you will need to install a Java Plug-in. Click on the Java Plug-in link. 5. It will open a window with instructions for loading the Java Plug-in and a link to the Get Java Plug-in. Follow the instructions and install the Plug-in. BBforSLISstudents.doc 10 May 2011
Topic 8 Using the Virtual Lecture Hall 1. When the Virtual Classroom launches it should look like this. 2. Use the Compose area to write a question or a response to the group. Click Send when you are ready to display it to the group. BBforSLISstudents.doc 11 May 2011
3. You will see web pages appear in the right panel that can be pushed to or by you for evaluation. 4. You can click on a link that is sent and it will open in a new window. You can look at the site then close its window and you will return to the virtual classroom to enter your comments. BBforSLISstudents.doc 12 May 2011
This is an example of a student s online tutorial pushed to the class. Engage and enjoy your class! BBforSLISstudents.doc 13 May 2011