Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) Guides

Getting Started as an Instructor in Blackboard LMS

• Getting Started with your Blackboard Username and Password
• Correct Your Preferred Email Address in Self-Service Carolina
• Check Your Browser Settings
• Link to USC Upstate Blackboard
• Getting Started Blackboard Help Guide
• Blackboard Learn Ultra for Instructors Video Playlist
• Navigate Options from the Institution Page
• Add Your Name Pronunciation to Your Blackboard Profile
• Determine Your Course View: Ultra v. Original (Ultra Course View is recommended for new users)
• Use Ultra Course Preview to Select Ultra Course View 
• Set Course Availability  (Select Private While Editing/Available to Start Your Course)
• Request a consultation with a Learning Experience Designer to assist with course conversions
• Enroll in a USC Upstate Online Teaching Certification and Other Professional Development Courses

Setting Up Your Menu

• Ultra Course View
  • Navigating an Ultra Course 
  • Turn on Progress Tracking 
  • Set Course Banner Image 
• Original Course View
  • About the Course Menu Template 
  • About the Instructor Contact Item 
  • Adding New Menu Items 
  • Removing Unused Menu Items 
  • Set Announcements as Course Entry Point 

Setting Up Your Syllabus and Course Updates

• Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric Standards  for Course Overview and Introduction
• Using USC Upstate Syllabus Templates and Resources
• Relating Course Learning Outcomes to Program Learning Outcomes
• Using Microsoft Word for Accessibility Check on the Syllabus 
• Using Acrobat DC Pro for Accessibility Check on the Syllabus 
• Creating and Sending Announcements  (Ultra Course View) Tip: Select send an email immediately to ensure students receive announcements.
• Creating and Sending Announcements  (Original Course View) Tip: Select send an email immediately to ensure students receive announcements.

Setting Up Course Content/Modules

• Organizing Course Modules Using Backward Design
• Affordable Learning and Open Educational Resources (OER) 
• Copyright and Fair Use 
• Review Creating an Accessible Course Module as a student in the CAIFS Professional Development Blackboard Course (search your courses  for “CAIFS”), and submit your accessible course for review to earn a Universal Design for Learning Course Certification
• Ultra Course View
  • Folders v. Learning Modules 
  • Adding Content Items 
  • Adding Files and Images 
  • Adding Links 
  • Embedding HTML Code 
  • Creating/Embedding Tools from the Content Market  *Note: Not all tools are available to USC Upstate users. When possible, use the version labeled Upstate
  • Using the Upstate YuJa Media Chooser to Create and Embed YuJa Videos 
  • Edit and Move Course Content  Note: tips for using keyboard shortcuts to move items are also provided on this page.
  • Create a Course Link Connect materials from one area to another within your course, especially helpful for projects covering multiple weeks.
  • Copying and Reusing Content within and across Courses
• Original Course View
  • Folders v. Learning Modules 
  • Adding Items  *Note: Adding files and images within Items is preferable because it allows you to add comments and context to explain what you want students to focus on in the files
  • Adding Videos, Files, and Images 
  • Adding Links 
  • Embedding Interactive Content Tools  *Note: Some tools are located under tools, some under Build Content, and some under Assessments. Not all tools are available to USC Upstate users. When possible, use the version labeled Upstate
  • Using the Upstate YuJa Media Chooser to Create and Embed YuJa Videos
  • Edit and Move Course Content 

Setting Up Assignments/Tests

• Share Student Instructions with Your Classes
• Ultra Course View
  • Pro Tip: Be sure to assign a Due Date in assessments to enable automated student reminders and calendars in Blackboard. If you set up due dates now and do not include dates within the text of your assignments, you can use Batch Edit to streamline course copying from one term to the next.
  • Note: Hiding assignments and tests in Ultra Course View also hides them in the Gradebook, so students cannot see the work. Rather than hiding old assignments, use the options to prohibit late submissions or new attempts after the due date. You can make an exception for an individual student by going to the assignment in the Gradebook, clicking the three dots menu for an individual student and extending their deadline or the number of attempts they are allowed.
  • Assignments 
    
    • Enabling Safe Assign 
    • Group Assignments in Ultra Course View 
    • Peer Review in Ultra Course View 
  • Discussions 
    
    • Provide students with instructions for adding links, audio, and video in their posts to allow students to make “Blog-Style Discussion Posts”
  • Tests and Quizzes 
    
    • Strategies for Virtual Testing 
    • Test Question Types
    • Uploading Test Questions from a File
    • Accommodations for students requiring extra time for timed assessments or exemption from late work notifications
    • Making Due Date Exceptions for individual students
    • Automated Feedback 
    • Question Banks and Pools
    • Respondus Monitor Online Proctoring 
    • YuJa Video Quizzes  *Use Upstate YuJa Media Chooser in Content Market
  • Tool-Based Assignments
    • VoiceThread 
      • Read our TIP Blog post about VoiceThread 
    • Perusall Tool for Collaborative Annotation
      • Read our TIP Blog post about Perusall 
      • Setting Up Individual Assignments in Ultra Course View
    • YuJa Video Assignments
      • Submitting a Student Video Assignment 
      • Commenting on Embedded YuJa Videos 
    • Using Rubrics to Grade Assignments, Discussions, and Test Questions
      • Create a New Rubric 
      • Add a Rubric to an Assessment 
• Original Course View
  • Pro Tip: Be sure to assign a Due Date in assessments to enable automated student reminders and calendars in Blackboard. If you set up due dates now and do not include dates within the text of your assignments, you can use Date Management to streamline course copying from one term to the next (see below).
  • Assignments 
    
    • Enabling Safe Assign 
  • Discussions
    • Advanced Discussion Forum Options 
    • Grade Discussion Forums 
  • Tests and Quizzes 
    
    • Strategies for Virtual Testing 
    • Test Question Types 
    • Uploading Test Questions from Word 
    • Uploading Test Questions from TestGen 
    • Accommodations and Exceptions 
    • Automated Feedback 
    • Question Banks and Test Pools 
    • Respondus Monitor Online Proctoring 
    • YuJa Video Quizzes  *Use Upstate YuJa Media Chooser under Build Content
  • Tool-Based Assignments
    • VoiceThread 
      • Grade a VoiceThread Assignment 
      • Read our TIP Blog post about VoiceThread 
    • Perusall Tool for Collaborative Annotation
      • Read our TIP Blog post about Perusall 
      • Setting Up Individual Assignments in Original Course View **Note: Find Perusall under Tools
    • YuJa Video Assignments
      • Submitting a Student Video Assignment
      • Commenting on Embedded YuJa Videos 
  • Using Rubrics for Assignments, Discussions, and Test Questions
    • Create a New Rubric 
    • Add a Rubric to an Assessment 

Setting Up the Grade Center

• Ultra Course View
  • Setting Up the Overall Grade 
  • Adding Gradebook Items for Work Collected Offline (such as presentations) 
  • Move Items in the Gradable Items List
  • Grading in the Grade Center
    • Items to Grade 
    • Access Items that Need Grading in the Activity Stream 
    • Blackboard Annotate for Inline Commenting 
    • Setting Automatic Zeros for Missing Work  *Note: This feature may be turned on and off to manage student motivation early in the course with accuracy as the course goes on.  
    • Adding Grades in the Student Grid View 
  • Instructions for Students on Grades and Feedback
    
    
• Original Course View
  • Using the Blackboard Grade Center  PowerPoint Overview
  • Total v. Weighted Total 
  • Set Up Weighted Total 
  • Grade Display Options 
  • Edit Grade Center Item Options 
  • Organizing the Grade Center Columns 
  • Grading in the Grade Center
    • Needs Grading 
    • Grade Details 
    • Grading with Rubrics 
    • Blackboard Annotate for Inline Commenting 
  • Instructions for Students on Grades and Feedback

Copying Courses and Preparing for a New Semester

• Ultra Course View
  • Using Course Copy to Reuse Course Materials from Previous Terms 
  • Using Batch Edit to Update Due Dates 
• Original Course View
  • Using Course Copy  to Reuse Course Materials from Previous Terms
  • Using Date Management to Update all Due Dates throughout the course

More Blackboard Resources

• Using Class Collaborate