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Blackboard Learning Management System Guides
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
- Original Course View
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
- Folders v. Learning Modules
- 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
- Folders v. Learning Modules
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
- 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
- Strategies for Virtual Testing
- Tool-Based Assignments
- VoiceThread
- Read our TIP Blog post about VoiceThread
- Read our TIP Blog post about VoiceThread
- Perusall Tool for Collaborative Annotation
- YuJa Video Assignments
- Using Rubrics to Grade Assignments, Discussions, and Test Questions
- VoiceThread
- 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
- Discussions
- 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
- Strategies for Virtual Testing
- Tool-Based Assignments
- 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
- Read our TIP Blog post about Perusall
- YuJa Video Assignments
- VoiceThread
- Using Rubrics for Assignments, Discussions, and Test Questions
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
- Items to Grade
- Instructions for Students on Grades and Feedback
- Setting Up the Overall Grade
- 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
- Instructions for Students on Grades and Feedback
- Using the Blackboard Grade Center
Copying Courses and Preparing for a New Semester
- Ultra Course View
- Original Course View
- Using Course Copy
to Reuse Course Materials from Previous Terms
- Using Date Management
to Update all Due Dates throughout the course
- Using Course Copy