Tag Archives: Blackboard

Blackboard best practice 2 – Troubleshooting common issues

Posted on by
Reply

This is a short guide focusing on four common Blackboard issues that we often get asked about in the TILE Hub. Each has a fairly simple solution, so you can save time by knowing the fix for each issue…

1.      My module keeps disappearing

This is something we come across a lot in the TILE Hub, and the solution isn’t always immediately clear.

The hallmark sign of this error is when you make your module available in Blackboard, but every day it reverts to being “private” again, so your students can’t access it.

The Solution

To solve this issue, you just need to log in to the Blackboard Management Tool (BBMT). Search for your module using the search box on the left and then select “Make Available”. This may take up to 24 hours to go through but can be as quick as 30 minutes. We have a video guide to help you with this below:

2.      I’ve setup the MS Teams integration but it keeps giving me an error

Since the departure of Blackboard Collaborate in November 2023, more staff are using Microsoft Teams for their online delivery.

When adding the Teams integration in their Blackboard modules, people have reported experiencing one of two issues, caused by:

  • Adding the Teams integration via the Content Market (don’t do it this way)
  • Adding it via the menu on the left (which is the right way), however, they have previously used the “Student Preview” feature, causing a preview user to be on the module. This can cause an issue with the Teams integration as it searches for a user that doesn’t exist.

The Solution

The fix for this is rather quick and easy. Open the Class Register in the Blackboard module, find the “PreviewUser” (there may be more than one), click the three dots next to them and choose “Edit member information”, then remove them from the module with the small bin icon.

Screenshot from the "Edit member information" panel in the Class Register of a Blackboard module, showing the name Robin Ray Preview User and a small bin icon next to it.

Once you have done that, add the Teams integration again using the link at the bottom of the left hand menu and it should work fine:

Screenshot from Blackboard module with the text Microsoft Teams, the Teams icon and a hyperlink to Enable Microsoft Teams

If you are still experiencing issues, there may be something else causing a problem so it is worth contacting Digital Services at CallDesk@staffs.ac.uk

3.      The Gradebook view isn’t what I’m used to / isn’t very useful

If you’re still relatively new to the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook, having previously used Blackboard Original, then the default view might feel rather strange.

By default, the Gradebook will display all of your assessments and assignments in a list. You can click on each one to go into it and view the individual students’ submissions.

The Solution

However, if you want to see a view more akin to Blackboard Original, that can be achieved by clicking the grid icon in the top right of the Gradebook:

Screenshot from the Gradebook of a Blackboard Ultra module. Near the top left, an arrow is pointing to a grid icon next to a list icon to show how to toggle between the two views.

This will give a view a lot more similar to the one in Blackboard Original.

4.      I want to see when students last accessed Blackboard and how much time they’ve spent on the module

A wonderful part of Blackboard Ultra is that a lot of the functionality of Blackboard Original is still available – it’s just the user interface that has changed. So familiar features might be in a different place than you’re used to.

This is true for the student activity data. This is now available in the “Analytics” tab on the toolbar across the top of the module.

The Solution

By selecting the three horizontal lines under “Course Activity” in the Analytics tab, you can see the students’ overall marks and how many days its been since they’ve last accessed your module:

Screenshot from a Blackboard Ultra module with "Analytics" underlined in purple across the top to show it is selected, and underneath "Course Activity", the first of three options, is also underlined to show it's selected. Further down and on the left, an arrow is pointing to a small icon showing three horizontal lines, next to a scatter graph icon, to indicate the button to press for a student list view.

However, clicking on a student’s name and selecting “Student Activity” in the grey bar across the top will allow you to see a more individual look at the student’s activity. Here you can also select the graph icon in the top left to view the student’s activity compared to the module average.

As always, you can get in touch with the TILE Hub if you need any support with using Blackboard Ultra, either by emailing TILEHub@staffs.ac.uk, or by posting on our dedicated “Blackboard” Teams channel.

Blackboard best practice 1 – Improving the student experience

Posted on by
Reply

The Blackboard Ultra Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is the main way for students at Staffordshire University to access their course materials online. Each module of every course has its own space on the VLE, populated with resources by the module instructors.

No matter how high the quality of the learning materials, students need to be able to find what they need easily. Used correctly, the technology can aid accessibility, but without a bit of careful setup it can also be a hindrance.

Here are four things you can do as an instructor or module leader to make sure your students have a more positive experience navigating your Blackboard modules.

1)    Fill in the Welcome folder documents

Each Blackboard module for the 2023/2024 academic year has been created from a Blackboard Ultra template specifically designed for best practice and tailored to suit your subject area. One important part of this template is the “Welcome and module information” folder, containing documents guiding you to give your students the information they need.

Screenshot from Course Content view in a Blackboard Ultra module showing the Welcome and module information folder open and some documents inside
The Welcome folder. Click image to enlarge.

Before each module is made available, each document in the Welcome folder should be filled in and set to be “Visible to students”. That way, students always know where to look for the key information, as it will always be in the same place in every module they study.

2)    Keep things tidy in folders, subfolders and learning modules

When adding learning materials and assessments to your Blackboard Ultra module, there are a few things you can do to make them easier to navigate to:

  • It’s a good idea to have separate folders for learning materials and assessments – you might even have these set up already from the template. Click inside the relevant folder when you need to add some resources or create a new assignment.
  • Instead of adding a huge list of different resources to the learning materials folder that students will have to scroll down through, create some meaningful subfolders to sort them into. For example, if you usually release your materials on a weekly basis, you could have subfolders named by the week or date. Or it might fit your module better to arrange the resources by topic, so name your subfolders with each topic covered. You can move the subfolders around too so they follow a logical order inside the main folder.
  • Make sure you add descriptions to your folders and subfolders to tell students what they can find inside them. To do this, click on the three dots to the right of the folder and choose “Edit”, then fill in a description and “Save”.
  • Within Blackboard Ultra there are special folders called “Learning Modules” with a few extra features in the “Edit” panel. Ticking the “Forced Sequence” box means that students must access the materials in the folder in the order that you set them – they must open the first item to unlock the second, and so on. You also get the option to add an image to learning module folders to make them stand out better on the screen:
Screenshot from a Blackboard Ultra module showing a learning module folder with a decorative image and folder description
A “learning module” folder with a decorative image and folder description. Click image to enlarge.

3)    Check the Gradebook for old assessments

Blackboard Ultra has a number of ways to import or copy existing content into new modules to save you time. However, you need to be very careful when copying from old modules that you don’t accidentally import old assessments with long-expired deadlines. When this happens, your current students might be notified that they have overdue work – when in fact they haven’t yet been set those assessments. It can be confusing and stressful for all involved.

The best way to avoid this is to check in the “Gradebook” tab under “Markable Items”. The only things listed there should be assignments you’ve created for this year’s module, and you can check their deadlines in the “Due Date” column. If you find any that shouldn’t be there, click the three dots to the right of them in this view and choose “Delete”.

Screenshot from Blackboard Ultra module Gradebook view showing an assessment with an expired deadline, and the three dots menu giving options to Edit or Delete the item.
The Gradebook view. Click image to enlarge.

4)    Use the Release Conditions panel

You might not want your learning materials and assessments visible to all students at all times. For example, you might want to release subfolders of resources week by week, or set different assignments to different groups of students. You might also have to create a new assessment submission point for students who are resitting, but don’t want to confuse the students who aren’t.

To help with all these situations, you can use the “Release Conditions” panel on any content in your module – folders, documents, assessments etc. To open this panel, click in the drop-down menu under the name of the item, and choose “Release Conditions”.

A screenshot of the visibility conditions menu for a Blackboard Ultra folder with the options Visible to students, Hidden from students and Release conditions.
The drop-down menu for visibility. Click image to enlarge.

First you are given the choice to make the item visible either to “All members”, or to choose individual students or groups to make it visible to. (If you’ve created a “Student preview” version of yourself, you can choose that student preview user here if you want to check what the item looks like to students before you release it to everyone.)

Screenshot of the top part of the Release Conditions panel for a Blackboard Ultra content item, showing the options under Select members.
Top of the Release Conditions panel. Click image to enlarge.

You can set up groups from this menu if you haven’t already done so by choosing “Create a new group set”.

The other part of the panel allows you to “Set additional conditions” such as a date and time to make the item visible, as well as a second date and time to hide it again. You can even select “Performance” and only make the item available to students who have scored a certain amount on a previous assessment.

Screenshot of the bottom part of the Release Conditions panel for a Blackboard Ultra content item, showing the options under Set additional conditions, and the Cancel and Save buttons.
Bottom of the Release Conditions panel. Click image to enlarge.

A little goes a long way

Spending an hour or so to make these tweaks and checks to your module before you start to teach can really improve the digital learning experience for students. If you need any support with Blackboard Ultra, or would like someone to check over your modules before you make them available to students, please get in touch with the TILE Hub on TILEHub@staffs.ac.uk, or through our Blackboard channel in Teams.

TILE’s Masterclasses help you get more from your VLE

Posted on by
Reply

Part of our work in the TILE Hub involves running training sessions on how to use the various teaching and learning tech tools available at Staffs. Over the past year, courses have been transitioning from the Original Blackboard VLE to Blackboard Ultra, and we’ve been helping you get to grips with the new features of Ultra in our Blackboard Ultra Induction and Masterclass series.

We’re running these in-person, hands-on training sessions throughout the summer, until the end of September. If you’ve not been to any yet, but are curious to know whether you might benefit from them, here’s a taste of what’s covered in each session.

Induction / Refresher (Rowan Walker)

Are you new to Blackboard and feeling a bit overwhelmed? Or perhaps you’ve used it before, but it’s been a while, and you’d love a refresher to boost your confidence? If so, the Blackboard Induction / Refresher session is just what you need.

In this comprehensive two-hour training session, I’ll take you through the fundamentals of Blackboard with live demonstrations, providing you with the knowledge and tools you need to navigate and access the platform with ease. You’ll then get some guided hands-on experience at using Blackboard yourself, so you’ll feel more confident with navigating the interface, accessing your modules, sharing content with students, knowing where to find the different features, and engaging and communicating with students through the site.

If you’re completely new to Blackboard, I would definitely recommend attending one of my sessions before any of the Masterclasses, and give yourself a bit of time to practice and consolidate what you’ve learned of the basics.

There are two of these sessions running in August – click on the links below to book on (Staffordshire University staff only).

1st August (Tuesday) 10:00am – 12:00pm – CA202 Catalyst – IRIS Link

17th August (Thursday) 13:00pm – 15:00pm – LT114 Ashley – IRIS Link

Designing your Module Site (George Hill)

My Masterclass is focusing not only on designing your module site but also how Blackboard Ultra relates to Original, understanding why we have set up the modules the way we have, how to transfer from your old modules, and how groups can be useful when designing your modules.

The session is focused on you feeling confident as an instructor and user. It takes the form of a brief demonstration, where you can follow along on either your own module or a test site we can arrange access to. This is followed by an opportunity to ask any questions or get assistance with your own unique use-cases to help you feel more confident with Blackboard Ultra.

If you are new to Blackboard Ultra, I highly recommend all of our sessions but this one may prove very useful for understanding where things may have moved to and how you can now access everything.

There are two of these sessions running in August – click on the links below to book on (Staffordshire University staff only).

9th August (Wednesday) 11:00am – 12:30pm – CA202 Catalyst – IRIS Link

24th August (Thursday) 10:00am – 11:30am – CA201 Catalyst – IRIS Link

Using Multimedia Content (Simran Cheema)

If you are trying to find ways to engage your students in a whole new way and make your course content more accessible and dynamic, sign up for my practical Masterclass in using Multimedia Content in Blackboard Ultra. Effective use of multimedia can have a huge positive impact on your students’ learning experience, making complex concepts more understandable and fostering active engagement.

In my 90-minute training session, I will demonstrate how to use the full range of functions in the Blackboard Rich Text Editor to easily insert and present multimedia elements in your course materials. You’ll practice adding images, video and sound into your module sites, creating a rich and immersive learning experience for your students.

There’s a whole range of different tools you can embed in your Blackboard modules, such as MS Forms, YouTube videos, Padlets and ThingLink creations. You can also use integrated Lecture Capture software to share recordings of your lectures, allowing students to refer back to important learning after the lecture. I’ll show you how to do all of this in the session.

However experienced you are with Blackboard Ultra, I hope you come away from this Masterclass with new ideas about how make your modules more creative and accessible.

There are two of these sessions running in August – click on the links below to book on (Staffordshire University staff only).

10th August (Thursday) 11:00am – 12:30pm – CA202 Catalyst – IRIS Link

21st August (Monday) 11:00am – 12:30pm – CA202 Catalyst – IRIS Link

Assessments (Robin Ray)

What I’d like people to get out of the Assessments Masterclass is twofold. Firstly, I want to make sure anyone setting formative or summative assessments on Blackboard knows how to set them up correctly from the start to avoid running into some all-too-common problems later in the academic year, when the pressure is on for marking and releasing feedback. Prevention is better than cure!

Secondly, I want to open up a conversation around more creative, authentic and appropriate ways to use the different digital assessment tools available. The discussions we’ve had about this in the sessions so far have been really interesting (for me at least!).

The 90-minute session starts by questioning which of the assessment tools is right for your needs: Turnitin, Bb Assignments, Bb Tests, or maybe something else entirely. I’ll then give you some step-by-step guidance on setting up each of those three main tools, and I encourage you to follow along by setting up a test assignment on your own module (or a test site if you prefer). You can ask me questions throughout, and once you’ve got to grips with the setup, we’ll discuss some wider considerations around assessments (e.g. accessibility, plagiarism). I’ll also show you where you can get further support for setting up assessments after the class.

There are two of these sessions running in August – click on the links below to book on (Staffordshire University staff only).

11th August (Friday) 13:00pm – 14:30pm – CA202 Catalyst – IRIS Link

22nd August (Tuesday) 13:00pm – 14:30pm – CA202 Catalyst – IRIS Link

Using the Mobile Apps (Julia Wisniewska)

Did you know that you can access Blackboard through an app for your mobile device, as well as through a web browser? In my practical Masterclass, I’ll demonstrate how you can use the Blackboard Learn Mobile App to help improve student engagement inside and outside of the classroom.

In the 90-minute, hands-on session, I’ll walk you through the functionality of the app and functions, including both the staff and student views. I’ll explain how to manage your module sites through the app (e.g. on a tablet device), including how to set-up and manage a poll and how marking assessments works. There’s also time to discuss the functionality of the app and its various pros and cons.

There are two of these sessions running in August – click on the links below to book on (Staffordshire University staff only).

7th August (Monday) 10:00am – 11:30am – CA202 Catalyst – IRIS Link

23rd August (Wednesday) 14:00pm – 15:30pm – CA202 Catalyst – IRIS Link

Can’t make the August dates?

We’ll be offering more Masterclass dates in September, so keep a close eye on the TILE Hub teams channel and Workvivo for updates. We’re also hoping to arrange some online sessions for those colleagues who can’t attend the Stoke campus in person.