Blackboard 9.1 Support for Faculty
Blackboard Help & Support Site for Faculty
This site will help you use our Blackboard LMS, design and develop your course sites and help answer some of your questions.
The JU Blackboard system has been upgraded to the latest release, version 9.1 Service Pack 15 (July 2015). This new version of Blackboard has an updated look and feel, and several new features.
Blackboard 9.1, also called Blackboard Learn, has new features and capabilities that we are sure you will appreciate. Blackboard Learn uses a web 2.0 interface that allows users to drag-and-drop items that appear on the screen, select drop-down menus, and even access contextual help. You will enjoy using fewer clicks to navigate the system and complete tasks on your courses.
How to Login
Blackboard is configured to use your JU username and password. This is the password that instructors use to login to WebAdvisor, Jacksonville University computers, e-mail and many more systems on campus.
Supported Web Browsers for Blackboard 9.1 SP 15
In order for students to have the best experience using JU's Blackboard system, it
is important to use one of the web browsers supported by Blackboard. See the currently
Supported Web Browsers & Operating Systems.
System Requirements
If your computer does not have the proper hardware, Blackboard may run slowly or may not run at all. Compare your current system configuration with the Blackboard Learn 9.1 System Requirements (PDF).
Blackboard FAQ
Be sure to read the Blackboard FAQ where you will find the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about using Blackboard at Jacksonville University.
Blackboard Demo Course
We have created a demo class for students to learn more information about using Blackboard. This demo course is designed to acquaint students with different features of Blackboard. The demo course will allow them to see how most online courses are designed, how to find information in different content areas and to introduce you to other features of Blackboard. Touring the demo course will allow students to see what taking an online course is like before enrolling in an online program. Be sure to follow the instructions in the demo to become acquainted with both Blackboard and online instruction.
We strongly recommend that if you are new to Blackboard you complete the demo course before your class begins. Guests who are interested in learning how Blackboard works are encourages to use the demo course as well.
To begin the Blackboard demo, click here to go to Blackboard* and use the following log in to access the course.
User ID: student
Password: demo
*Be sure to log out of Blackboard if you are currently logged in with your JU account.
After logging in, click on the hyperlink on the right hand side of the page called Blackboard Demo Course. This will bring you to the announcements page and simply follow instructions.
If you would like to be added into the course with your own account and have it under your Course list send us an email (dthornt@ju.edu).
Please feel free to share this demo course with your students and let the CTL know your comments or if you have any suggestion.
Tutorial Links for Faculty
The following tutorials are available in PDF format and interactive videos for using Blackboard 9.1 for Faculty. To view the video tutorials, you may need to install the latest version of the free Adobe Flash Player.
Before You Start
- Organizing your Online Content
- Preparing your Content for Online Delivery
- Moving your Content into Blackboard
- Creating Accessible Course Content
- Balancing Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning in Blackboard
Get Started
- Introduction to Blackboard Learn 9.1 - A Self-Paced Tutorial
- Bb 9.1 Course Management Quick Reference Guide
- Getting Started with a Course Moved from Blackboard 8
- Blackboard Tool and Functionality Guide
- 2012 Blackboard Exemplary Course Rubric
- Beginning of Semester Checklist
Working In The Course Environment
- Log In + Hide/Unhide the Course Menu
- Did you forget your password?
- Manage the "My Courses" Module Settings
- Hiding Courses from View on the Home Page
- Course Menu
- Getting Started with the Course Environment
- Exploring the Course Environment
- Course-To-Course Navigation
- Select the Course Entry Point
- Add a Banner to Your Course Entry Point
- Create a Blank Page (for displaying content)
- Adding Files to Course Files
- Making Your Course Available to Students
- Manage the Course Menu
Building The Course Content
- Getting Started with Course Content
- Using the Content Editor
- Comparing the New Content Editor with the Legacy Text Editor
- Edit the Course Home Page
- Create an Item
- Create a File
- Add an Image
- Copy Content
- Move Content
- Capture a screen in Windows XP
- Build a Learning Module
- Create a Lesson Plan
- Create a Module Page
- Create a Content Folder
- Create a Blank Page
- Add a Glossary Term
- Create Syllabus
- Add Textbook Information
- Create a Tool Link
- Create a Course Link
- Add a URL
- Create a Mashup
- Mashups - Pasting from Word
- Mashups - Using Flickr
- Mashups - Using Slideshare
- Mashups - Using YouTube
- Attach Course Files to a Content Item
- Tour the Course Files Feature
- Add Your Own Web Content Through Course Files
- Enable Review Status
Adaptive Release
- Create a Simple Adaptive Release Rule
- Best Practices for Using Adaptive Release
- Create Multiple Rules to Release a Content Item
Communication and Collaboration
Announcements and Scheduling
- Create an Announcement
- Create a Calendar
- Create a Course Contact
- Create a Course Task
- Send Email
- Send Blackboard Messages
Blogs
- Create a Blog
- Create and Edit Blog Entries
- Commenting on a Blog Entry
- Manage and Grade Blogs
- Work with Group Blogs
Chat
Getting Started with Interactive Tool
Discussion Board
- Create and Edit a Discussion Board Forum
- Manage and Grade a Discussion Board Forum
- Change Discussion Board Forum Settings
- Create a Discussion Board Thread
- Reply to a Discussion Board Thread
- Grade Discussion Board Threads
- Search the Discussion Board and Collect Posts
- Tag Discussion Board Posts
- Rate Discussion Board Threads
- Manage Discussion Board Roles
- Moderate Discussion Board Forums
- Work with the Group Discussion Board
Journals
- Getting Started with Journal Prompts
- Create a Journal
- Create and Edit Journal Entries
- Commenting on a Journal Entry
- Manage and Grade Journals
- Work with Group Journals
Virtual Classroom
Wikis
- Create a Wiki
- Adding Rich Content to a Wiki
- Editing Wiki Pages
- Linking Wiki Pages
- Viewing a Wiki Page History
- Manage and Grade Wikis
- Work with Group Wikis
- Post a Google Docs link into your Bb Course
Assessing Learners
Assignments
- Getting Started with Assignments
- Downloading Assignments
- Clean Out Graded Assignment Files
- SafeAssign@JU
- Create a SafeAssignment
- Create Extra Credit Activity
Grade Center
- The Grade Center
- The Needs Grading Page
- Managing Grade Attempts
- Hide a Grade Center Column from Student View
- Create Smart Views
- Create a Grade Rule
- View Grade Details
- Anonymous Grading
- Create Grading Notes
- Create a Grade Center Report
- Grade Assessments Question by Question
- View and Download Grade History
- Color Code the Grade Center
- Work Offline with the Grade Center
Rubrics
- Create a Grading Rubric
- More on Interactive Rubrics
- Associating a Rubric with a Gradable Item
- Grading with Rubrics
- Blackboard Rubrics Quick Guide
Student Performance
- Performance Dashboard
- Check on Students with the Performance Dashboard
- Early Warning System
- Send Notifications
- Edit Notifications
- Create Rules for Notifications and Alerts
Tests and Surveys
- Online Assessment
- Create a Survey
- Read Survey Results
- Getting Started with Building a Test
- Create a Test
- Setting Test Options (includes setting the timer for a test)
- Automatic Regrading
- Test Question Types
- Create a Multiple Choice Question
- Create a True or False Question
- Create a Fill in the Blank Question
- Create a Fill in Multiple Blanks Question
- Create a Short Answer Question
- Create a Matching Question
- Create a Calculated Formula Question
- Create a Calculated Numeric Question
- Create an Essay Question
- Create a Hot Spot Question
- Create a Jumbled Question
- Create a Linkert Question
- Create a Multiple Answer Question
- Create an Ordering Question
- Create a Quiz Bowl Question
- Add an Existing Question to a Test
- Create Test Pools
- Create a Random Block and Add It to a Test
- Tagging Question for Reuse: Categories & Keywords
- Question Finder: Metadata
- Export and Import a Test or Survey
- Upload Test Questions from Excel
- Awarding Negative Points for Incorrect Answers
- Best Practices for Faculty - Quizzes and Surveys
- Strategies to Minimize Cheating in Online Exams
- Testing Best Practices for Students in Blackboard Learn
- Create a Self and Peer Assessment
- Best Practices for Using Self & Peer Assessments
Managing Group Work
Setting Permissions
Reporting and Course Utilities
- Course Reports
- Run a Report of User Activity by Content Area
- Run a Report of User Activity by Forum
- Run a Report of User Activity by Group
- Run a Report of All User Activity
- Save a Course Report
- Turn on Statistics Tracking for a Content Item
Content Reuse
Content Partner McGraw-Hill
- Pair Your Blackboard Course with Your McGraw-Hill Connect Section - Watch It!
- Prepare Your Students for McGraw-Hill Connect and Blackboard - Watch It!
- Add Your McGraw-Hill Connect Assignments within Blackboard - Watch It!
- Deploy Your McGraw-Hill Connect Assignments to Blackboard - Watch It!
- McGraw-Hill Faculty Training Tutorial 17 minutes recorded Collaborate session - Watch It!
Content Partner Pearson
- Pearson's MyLab Mastering and Blackboard Learn: Tutorial on the Instructor and Student Experience - Brainshark pesentation - Watch It!
- Pearson MyLab Getting Started Guide for Instructors -Read It!
- Pearson MyLab Getting Started Guide for Students -Read It!
- Integrating Pearson's MyLab with Blackboard Learn -Watch It!
Content Partner Cengage
- Cengage Learning Mindlinks Getting Started Guide -Read It!
- Cengage Learning Mindlinks: Faculty Training Tutorial - 13 minute recorded Collaborate sessionWatch It!
Content Partner Wiley
- WileyPLUS Integration with Blackboard -Watch It!
- WileyPLUS Getting Started Guide for Teachers -Read It!
- WileyPLUS Getting Started Guide for Students -Read It!
- WileyPLUS Faculty Training Tutorial - 22 minute recorded Collaborate sessionWatch It!
At the End
Best Practices
- Optimizing Files for Blackboard - PC
- Optimizing Files for Blackboard - Mac
- Viewing PDFs: Blackboard and Mac OSX
- Criteria for Using Copyrighted Material for Teaching with Blackboard
- Preparing Your Content for Online Delivery
- Naming Your Files for Use on the Web
- Testing Best Practices for Students in Blackboard Learn
- Best Practices for Faculty - Quizzes and Surveys
- Strategies to Minimize Cheating in Online Exams
- Best Practices in Online Assessment through Blackboard
- Beginning of Semester Checklist
- End of Semester Checklist
- Best Practices for Using Adaptive Release
- Best Practices for Using Self & Peer Assessments
- Creating Accessible Course Content
- Blackboard Best Practices: Making Course Content Available to Students with Disabilities
- Balancing Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning in Blackboard
- Using Blackboard for Problem-based Learning
- Audio and Video Standards for Online Learning
- Getting Started with Journal Prompts to Improve Student Writing
You can also browse the Online Blackboard Instructor Help.
Contact Information
If you are experiencing any trouble with Blackboard please contact the IT Helpdesk at 904-256-7200 or by sending an email to helpdesk@ju.edu. Please be sure to give or enter the following information in your issue ticket: Complete name, Email address, Student id, Operating System of your computer, Web Browser you are using (Name and version), Course id, Course Name and Area of problem. Be sure to give a full and detail description of your issue and include the steps to repeat it at our end. It's important to be as specific as possible so we can determine the problem.
Dee Thornton
Director of Instructional Technology
Marilyn Repsher Center for Teaching & Learning
Jacksonville University