In the last couple of months I’ve taken responsibility for the academic side of our BlackBoard implementation.
Here’s a couple of things we’ve done already, and a few that are on the near horizon.
1. New login screens
BB has now been configured so that it delivers a login experience tailored to the individual, based on who you are. We have different login pages for staff, on campus students, distance learning students and for examiners who need to access just a certain part of the content management system.
Hopefully we are now pointing users to just the information that they need.
For staff, we have made sure that all our help files are readily accessible through this login process, and there is a section which will update regularlry where we will showcase new ideas, and tips and tricks that you might wish to use.
2. New Blackboard Features
We will be upgrading BB in June of this year – dates will be widely circulated nearer the time, but we anticipate having no access for a short period of time over one weekend.
The new version will provide with a be series of tools such as: improved inline marking; anonymous marking; second marking. All of these will be useful in delivering our online assessment and feedback project.
3. Assessment and Feedback Project
We’ve committed to have all level 4 assessment submissions and feedback delivered through Blackboard where appropriator for the start of 2014-15. To support this we’ll be carrying out more targeted staff development sessions, identifying exactly which modules need to be considered, and reviewing a range of university policies around anonymous marking, second marking, sampling, archiving etc to ensure that the technology and our business processes are properly aligned.
4. Blackboard User Group (BUG)
We’ve created an online user group, which is a BB module into which you self enrol. This will then appear in your list of modules.BUG will be a place for Blackboard users to share their experience of using Blackboard with each other, so please add a question, offer a tip, or even a short guided tour of your Blackboard!
5. Teaching Excellence Fellows
For a while we’ve been looking for an online place for Teaching Excellence Fellows to share ideas and communicate. As well as looking at tools such as scoop-it, we’ve set up a place in BB for fellows. This module will only be available to past and present fellows.
Any questions, please get in touch with me, or with my colleagues through our [email protected] address.