Faculty Support

Blackboard Maintenance

Blackboard will be unavailable from August 14th through August 17th for annual maintenance and software patching.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Blackboard Support at X85312 or bbsupport@jmu.edu.  

Thank you,
Blackboard support Team
bbsupport@jmu.edu
568-5312

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Blackboard’s On Demand Video

Blackboard On Demand Video center

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Journals in Blackboard

Journals in Blackboard

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Wikis in Blackboard

Wikis in Blackboard

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Blogs in Blackboard

Blogs in Blackboard

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Creating an Assignment: Initial Steps

Overview


The Assignment feature in Blackboard allows instructors to create assignments for student submission. The Assignment feature gives the instructor to ability to provide instructions and file attachments needed to complete the assignment.  Each assignment submission links to a column in the Grade Center giving the instructor the ability to view and grade an assignment or to download assignments.  Assignments can be added to any Content Area and can be added to Learning Modules, Lesson Plans and folders.

Creating an Assignment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Accessing the Assignment in the Grade Center

Instructors can access individual students’ assignments or download all of the students’ work for an assignment through the Control Panel Grade Center.


Accessing Individual Student Assignments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Accessing All Student Work for an Assignment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

SafeAssign Documents for Faculty

 SafeAssign documents:

 SafeAssign Video Tutorials:

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Faculty Main Page Content

Welcome to the Faculty Support page.  Blackboard Support has included topics on the right side of this page to assist Faculty with the utilization of several Blackboard features.

 

Blackboard help is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Please call CIT at 568-5312 or email us at bbsupport@jmu.edu.

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Groups in Blackboard

 

See the creating groups in Bb VIDEO

 

The Group feature in Blackboard provides a tool to split up Blackboard students into separate units for discussion groups, e-mailings and related functions.

To create a group:

Hover over Create Single Group and Select Manual Enroll.

On the next screen, give the group a name and select the options you want the group members to be able to access. Click Submit and OK.

To add members to the groups, select the name of each member that you want inside the group and select the arrow pointing to the empty box.

The Blackboard tool includes a Randomize Button.  Students will be put randomly into groups with this option. 

To Access Groups and Set up Group Discussion Boards:

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Preparing Grades for Upload to eCampus

There are several steps that you must complete in the Blackboard Grade Center. After the .csv file is downloaded from Blackboard it must be opened with Excel, modified and saved again as a csv file with File, Save As… screen shots are shown at the bottom of this document.

Be sure the Weighted Total or Total column is accurately calculating the student’s grade. (You will use the Calculated Total column if you are weighting your grades or you will use the Total column if you are grading with total possible points.

 

Step 1

Check your “Total” or “Weighted Total” column in the Blackboard Center.  This column must be set to “letter” grade in order for the upload to be successful. If the Total Column displays a score, follow steps 2 through 5.  If the Total column displays a letter grade, please proceed to step 5.

 

Step 2

Press the double chevron button on the Total Column or Weighted Total and then select “Edit Column Information” from the pull down window.

 

Step 3

 Change the primary display of the Total Column or Weighted Total to “Letter”.

 

 

Step 4

Once the Total Column or Weighted Total has been changed to “Letter” it should contain grades instead of scores.   Check the grades in the column to make sure they are what you want to upload to ECampus.


 

Step 5

 Choose the Manage menu and select Grading Schemas.

 Click on the double down chevrons beside the Letter Schema and choose Edit.

 

 

 

 Once you have adjusted the Letter Schema to match your grading schema click Submit to save.

 

Step 6

 From the Full Grade Center dialog, choose the Work Offline button on the right side of the menu and select the Download.

 

 

 

Step 7

 

In the “Download Grades” page, select to download the “Total”  or “Weighted Total” column as illustrated below under Section 1.  Do not change any of the default settings under section 2.  Press the “Submit” button.

 

Step 8

A second “Download Grades” screen will appear with a “Download” button. Select this option

 

Once you have adjusted the schema to match yours click the submit button to save.  

Step 9

A  Window should now appear with the option to open or save the download file.  Select the Open option.  Please note; Excel must be installed on the download machine for this option to function properly.

 

 

Step 10

You may get a warning about the downloaded file coming from a trusted source.  Pick “Yes”

 

Step 11

The format should look similar to the illustration below.

 

Step 12

The only columns required for the upload are “Student ID” and “Total” or “Weighted Total”.   To delete columns that are not needed in the upload, 1) select a column that is NOT “Student ID” or “Total”, 2) right click and select “Delete”.

 

Step 13

After the undesired columns are deleted, the spreadsheet format should look like the illustration below:

 

Step 14

The First Row, which has the “Student ID” and “Total…”  or “Weighted Total…” labels must be deleted.

 

Step 15

Select the first row, right click and select “Delete” as illustrated below:

 

Step 16

The spreadsheet should now only include Student ID and Grade information.

 

Step 17

The spreadsheet must be saved in a csv format.  Select “Save As” -> “Other Formats” as illustrated below:

 

Step 18

Select a location to save the file, give the file a name, and make sure that the CSV format specified in the illustration below is selected.

 

The file is now ready for uploading to the Ecampus system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Importing Tests into Respondus

Respondus allows you to import multiple choice, true-false, essay, matching, and multiple answer questions from a file.

1.    Create your questions in a text editor such as Microsoft Word. Be sure to follow the Standard Format guidelines listed at the end of this document.
2.    Save the file as a Word document (2003), “.txt” or “.rtf” file.
3.    Open Respondus 3.5
4.    Click on the Import Questions button.
5.    An Import Questions box will appear. Refer to the image below.
6.    On number one the type of file should appear as Text File in Standard Format if you saved the file as “.txt” The type of file should appear as Rich Text in Standard Format if you saved the files as “.rtf”.
7.    Choose the Browse button beside file name. Another box will appear, navigate to where you saved the questions as a text file.
8.    Click on the text file and select Open in the bottom right hand corner of the box. Note: Be sure you have closed the text file in the text editor (such as Microsoft Word) so that Respondus can properly import the questions.
9.     If you are creating a brand new assessment then choose “Create a new document named” and type in a name for your assessment.
10.    Or if you have created other questions in the Respondus program and want to add questions from a text file select “Append the questions to the current document”.
11.    On number three select the Preview button and check the bottom of the box to see if any warnings or notes have been displayed.
12.    Press the Finish button. A window will appear notifying you that the file has been saved. Press OK.
13.    Congratulations your assessment questions have been successfully imported into Respondus.
14.    Now you may upload the assessment to Blackboard by proceeding to the Preview and Publish tab along the top of your screen.

*Note: Refer to “How to Create a Test Using Respondus Test Creation Software” for more specific instructions on Previewing and Publishing. This document is also included in the CIT Online Resources under
Blackboard 6.3>Instructor’s Tasks>Testing Tools at http://cit.jmu.edu/cit/training/resources/

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Respondus Enterprise and Lockdown Browser Instructor Guide

Introduction

Respondus LockDown Browser™ is a customized browser that increases the security of test delivery in Blackboard. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser to access an exam, they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. Once an assessment is started, students are locked into it until it’s submitted for grading. For a complete list of features, visit the Respondus web site at www.respondus.com. It’s also recommended that you view the demonstration movie at http://www.respondus.com/products/demos-ldb.shtml.

 

Respondus LockDown Browser provides a custom interface for the Internet Explorer software that is already installed on a Windows computer. It does not modify an existing copy of Internet Explorer, but rather, installs a separate program that displays a custom interface and set of features. Respondus LockDown Browser uses the same security features and service packs that are currently installed for Internet Explorer. Installing Respondus LockDown Browser won’t modify the current version of Internet Explorer in any way.

 

Respondus LockDown Browser is not intended to replace the browser used by faculty or students within Blackboard. Respondus LockDown Browser is only intended for use by students while taking assessments that have been prepared for use with Respondus LockDown Browser.

 

 

Preparing an Assessment for Use with Respondus LockDown Browser

If you haven’t done so already, it’s recommended that you view the demonstration movie for Respondus LockDown Browser at http://www.respondus.com/products/demos-ldb.shtml.

 

To require that students use Respondus LockDown Browser to access a Blackboard assessment, two things must first occur:

 

 

 

The integration between Respondus LockDown Browser and Blackboard requires that instructors use the Respondus exam authoring tool to publish the assessment settings to the Blackboard course. The settings contain a secret password that prevents students using a regular browser from accessing the assessment. So the first step is to make sure the Respondus software is configured correctly.

 

Respondus Settings

Instructors must have Respondus 3.5 or higher installed in order to upload the special assessment settings to Blackboard. Follow these steps to determine the version number for Respondus:

 

            > Start Respondus

            > Select “Help” from the menu bar

            > Select “About Respondus”

            > Confirm that the version is 3.5 or higher

 

If the Respondus software is older than 3.5, select “Help” from the menu bar, select “Check for Update” and then follow the prompts to obtain the latest update. (If you are running Respondus 2 or earlier, you’ll first need to upgrade to Respondus 3.0, which cannot be done using the “Check for Update” feature.)

 

Once you have confirmed that Respondus 3.5 or higher is installed, next determine if the “Institution ID” for Respondus LockDown Browser has been entered. To do so, follow these steps:

            >Download Respondus from the authorized JMU Webpage: http://support.blackboard.jmu.edu/faculty/downloads/

            > Start Respondus

            > Select “File” from the menu bar

            > Select “LockDown Browser”

 

 

Two Options for Publishing the Browser Requirements to Blackboard

There are two ways to prepare an assessment so that students must use Respondus LockDown Browser to access it. The first method is used to create a new assessment and the second method is for updating an assessment that already exists in Blackboard. Both approaches require the instructor to use Respondus to upload the browser settings for the assessment to the Blackboard course.

 

Using Respondus to publish a new assessment to Blackboard so that it requires students to use Respondus LockDown Browser

 

 

If, at a later time, you want the assessment to be accessible with any browser (ie. not just Respondus LockDown Browser), log into Blackboard as an instructor, go to the Control Panel, locate the test, select “Modify the Test Options” and then delete the “Password” for the test.

 

Using Respondus to update the settings for an existing assessment in Blackboard so that it requires students to use Respondus LockDown Browser

 

 

As indicated above, the “password” feature for a Blackboard assessment is the underlying technology used for the integration with Respondus LockDown Browser. It’s not essential that you fully understand how this process works, but a general understanding is helpful.

 

To prepare a Blackboard assessment so that it requires students to use Respondus LockDown Browser, the Respondus software is used to publish a secret password to Blackboard’s “password” field for the assessment. The secret password is derived from a combination of the assessment name (eg. “Biology Midterm”) and a password entered by the instructor (if one is used). For example, if the name of an assessment is “Biology Midterm” and the instructor enters “iodine” as the assessment password, the secret password actually published to Blackboard by Respondus might be: j4k59Rp*73iw1m.

 

When a student begins the assessment, Respondus LockDown Browser will ask the student if a “password” is required for the assessment, as shown here:

 

If a test password has been specified by the instructor (eg. “iodine”) the student will enter it at this time. If a test password isn’t required by the instructor, the student will select the “No” option. The next screen will display the real “password” screen in Blackboard and the secret password will be automatically filled in by Respondus LockDown Browser (using masked characters •••••••••). Students are instructed to simply click [Submit] to start the assessment. They should not edit this password field.

 

If students attempt to access the assessment with a standard browser, they will be unable to get past Blackboard’s password page because they won’t know the secret password. Entering the password provided by the instructor (eg. “iodine”) won’t work because it is different than the secret password (in this example “j4k59Rp*73iw1m”. Thus, students are prevented from accessing the assessment with any browser other than Respondus LockDown Browser.

 

Important: Instructors should NOT edit the name of the assessment or the proctor password once the assessment has been published to Blackboard using Respondus. To change the name of the assessment or the password that students enter, follow the instructions above for:

“Using Respondus to update the settings for an existing assessment in Blackboard...”.

 

 

Determining if the LockDown Browser Settings are Set Correctly

To confirm that an assessment will require students to use Respondus LockDown Browser, open a standard web browser, log into Blackboard using a student account, and attempt to start the assessment. You should be unable to start the assessment if everything is set correctly.   If you want a student account on Blackboard, contact bbsupport@jmu.edu.

 

Next, start Respondus LockDown Browser (installation instructions appear below), log into Blackboard using a student account, and then start the assessment. If everything is set correctly, you should be able to start the assessment with Respondus LockDown Browser.

 

Note: If you log into Blackboard as a student and access an assessment with Respondus LockDown Browser, you must “Finish” the assessment before the browser will let you exit.

 

 

Additional Tips and Suggestions

Make sure students know, well in advance, that they must use Respondus LockDown Browser to take an online exam. This is particularly important if students are required to install Respondus LockDown Browser to their own computer. It’s highly recommended that you create a “practice exam” that requires the use of Respondus LockDown Browser.

 

It’s a good practice for instructors to preview the exam using Respondus LockDown Browser. The best approach is to log in as a student since instructor logins have different access rights. Previewing an exam is an especially good idea if a test password is being used.

If you need a student account on Blackboard, contact bbsupport@jmu.edu.

 

Once a Blackboard assessment is started with Respondus LockDown Browser, the exam will appear in a full-screen window and all other applications and links are locked down. The assessment cannot be exited without clicking the “Finish” button.

 

If audio/video files are used in an assessment, the media player must be embedded in the question itself. This is the only way that students will have access to the control buttons, such as play, start, pause and stop.

 

Respondus LockDown Browser will maintain the “locked” testing environment even if a question contains a link to another web page (which opens another, secure browser window). However, all links that may appear on the new web page will be blocked, so be sure the content that students must see is available from the initial, linked page.

 

 

Making Online Exams Even More Secure

 

Advanced Features

Several advanced features are available in Respondus LockDown Browser, including a calculator and spreadsheet viewer.

 

Calculator

Respondus LockDown Browser prevents other applications from being accessed by the student during an assessment, including the “Calculator” tool in Windows. However, there are times when an instructor wants to allow students to use an online calculator during an assessment. A calculator option will appear on the toolbar for Respondus LockDown Browser if the following text is placed in the online exam:   {calc}

 

The {calc} text can appear anywhere in the assessment. If questions are being delivered “one at a time,” the {calculator} text will need to appear in the first question so that it will be available for the remainder of the assessment.

 

Spreadsheet Viewer

Respondus LockDown Browser uses the Internet Explorer plug-ins that are installed on the computer. However, some plug-ins can introduce a security hole because a student may be able to access the Internet using the plug-in. For example, the Excel Viewer plug-in for Internet Explorer allows a user to create a web link and then go to it by clicking on it -- even when Respondus LockDown Browser is running. But there are times when instructors want students to view an .xls spreadsheet or to have access to a spreadsheet application.

 

Respondus LockDown Browser offers a secure solution to this issue. After a link to an .xls file is added to an exam question, the instructor will need to additionally add the following text one of the questions in the exam (the first question is best) to turn on the spreadsheet viewer in Respondus LockDown Browser:  {sheet}

 

When the {sheet} text is contained in the assessment, a spreadsheet button will display on the toolbar in LockDown Browser. In addition, when a student clicks on an HTML link that points to an .xls file, it will open the spreadsheet viewer in LockDown Browser instead of the Excel Viewer. (Note: students aren’t able to save documents using the LockDown Browser spreadsheet viewer, just access it during the assessment.)

 

 

Working with Students

Since instructors are generally the first line of support for students who encounter problems, it’s important to understand how Respondus LockDown Browser will work for students.

 

Installation of Respondus LockDown Browser

To avoid last-minute problems, it’s strongly recommended that Respondus LockDown Browser be installed and tested well before students are expected to use it for an exam. If students are installing Respondus LockDown Browser to their own computers, we suggest that you create a sample quiz where the sole purpose is to confirm whether students have successfully installed the Respondus LockDown Browser and understand how to use it for taking an assessment.

 

 

Taking an Assessment with Respondus LockDown Browser

Once Respondus LockDown Browser has been installed, students should follow these steps to take a Blackboard assessment that has been prepared for use with Respondus LockDown Browser:

 

 

If a test password is being used for the assessment, the student should select “Yes” and enter the password. If a test password isn’t being used, the student should select “No.”  Click the [Continue] button.

 

The next screen in Blackboard will have the password field automatically filled in by Respondus LockDown Browser (displayed as •••••••••). Students should NOT edit this password field and should click [Submit] to start the assessment. (Note: If a browser other than Respondus LockDown Browser is used, the password field will appear blank and students will be unable to start the assessment.)

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

How to Copy a Course

 

 

 

 

*Note: Do not check the box beside Enrollment, unless you want the students from your old course listed in the new course.

*Note: Be cautious if you select Gradebook Items and Settings and you utilize testing options or the assignment feature. You may find duplicated test or assignment items in your gradebook when you deploy a test or activate an assignment.

 

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Collaborate Guides

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Student Submission of an Assignment

 

 
   

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Creating a Discussion Board Forum

 

See the Discussion Board Forum VIDEO

 

Blackboard provides a discussion board as a communication tool. This feature is designed for asynchronous use, so users do not have to be available at the same time to have a conversation.

Conversations are grouped into forums that contain threads and all related replies contained in those threads.

To enter the class discussion board:

Create a Forum

As an instructor, you must create a Forum in the class discussion board before the students can begin a discussion. (Enabling the discussion board for a group will automatically add a forum in which group members can immediately begin to use) Otherwise, they will not have an area in which to discuss.

Tree View or List View

Blackboard 7.3 Tree View expand all option allows easy navigation from one thread to another. 

 

 

The List View has the same look and feel of Blackboard 7.2.  The List View requires the reader to open all posts associated with a thread. 

 

 

To Start a New Thread 

 

To Start a New Thread (thus announcing that you are introducing a new topic), click the “Create Thread” button at the top of the page.

To read or reply to a message:

 

Instructors may enable subscriptions which would allow students to subscribe to individual threads.

 

 

Additional Features in the Discussion Board

Discussion Board Assessment Features

Forum and Thread Grading

  1. When creating a forum be sure to select Grade forum or Grade threads.
    1. If you choose Grade forum enter points possible. A column will automatically be added to the Grade Center.

If you choose Grade threads you will be prompted to enter points possible when you add the thread. A column will automatically be added to the Grade Center. Note: Students cannot add new threads in the Grade threads scenario.

 

 

 

Discussion Board Statistics

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Blackboard: Create and Deploy a Test

 

See the CREATE A TEST video
 

Click here for the ADD QUESTIONS TO A TEST video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter the text of Question 1

 

.  

You should receive a receipt confirming your test has been deployed successfully.  Click OK.

  • If you would like the test to be available immediately, select Yes to Make the link available. Or, if you would like to open the test for a specific time period select Yes to Make the link available AND set the time and date restrictions.

 

You have now successfully created and deployed a test in Blackboard. 

 

Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

Faculty Support

Course Documents and folder Creation in Blackboard

In any Blackboard content area you can add the following:

1. Add an Item or document.
2. Add a Folder to organize similar documents.
3. Add an External Link to provide a website address.
4. Provide a Course Link
5. The Add Test option refers to assessment creation.
6. The added content and folders can be modified, managed, copied, or removed by selecting the appropriate button

There are three methods of creating items: See samples in Course Documents Area
1. Create a “link” to an uploaded document.
2. Simple copy and paste into the text window.
3. Insert an image, movie, sound or Flash file.

Create an Item
1. To add a document, go to the content area where you would like the item to be housed (i.e. Course Document, Assignment, etc.)
2. Select the Add Item icon
3. Fill in the appropriate information.
4. To upload a document click the Browse button under number two: Content.
5. The Choose File box will appear, navigate to the file that you would like to upload. If you do not want to upload a file skip to number eight in these directions.
6. Select the file and click Open.
7. Next, beside Name of Link to File enter a title describing the file that is being uploaded.
8. Make the content available, track views or set date and time restrictions.
9. Click Submit.
10. After clicking the submit button, a receipt will appear indicating that the submission was successful. Click OK.




Create a folder
1. To create a new folder, go to the content area where you want the folder to be housed:
2. Select the Add Folder icon:
3. Fill in the appropriate information:
4. Click Submit.
5. After clicking the submit button, a receipt will appear indicating that the submission was successful. Click OK.

 

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Login

    URL/Web Address   http://blackboard.jmu.edu

    Note: You must have an activated JMU E-ID before attempting to log into Blackboard. 

    If your JMU E-ID is NOT activated, visit the JMU Computing Helpdesk for more information.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Sending an Email

     

     

    1. Enter the Control Panel
    2. Choose Send Email from the Course Tools box.
    3. Select the link for the users you would like to send an email.
    4. Enter the subject and message of your email. You may also add an attachment.
    5. Click Submit.
    6. A copy of the email will be sent to your email address.
    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Respondus Enterprise Faculty Application

    This is where you find the Respondus Enterprise program for faculty which allows you to produce exams and upload them to JMU Blackboard.

    Click here to download (JMU e-ID Required)

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Blackboard Workshops for Faculty

    CIT offers a variety of workshops on Blackboard and related applications such as Elluminate and Respondus.   If you are new to JMU or would like to enhance your knowledge of online teaching tools, CIT is offering a number of  beginning and intermediate workshops this fall.  Find out more at http://cit.jmu.edu/workshops/by_title/

     
    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Sending Assessment Results to the Grade Center

    Sending Self & Peer Assessment Results to the Grade Center

     The Self & Peer Assessment tool has the ability to send the results of the assessment directly to the Grade Center. The Grade Center will add in the average score a student earned from all of the individuals that assessed the assignment.

    1. Select the Control Panel.
    2. Select Self & Peer Assessment under Course Tools.
    3. Click on the name of the assessment.
    4. Select the Results option.
    5. Select Send Results to Grade Center. The average score the student earned in the Self & Peer Assessment will now appear in the corresponding column in the Grade Center.

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Student Submission and Evaluation of a Self & Peer Assessment

     

    The Self & Peer Assessment is unique in that there are two phases to the assignment: Submission and Evaluation.

     

    Part I: Submission

     

    Part II: Evaluation

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Adding Criteria to a Question

    Adding Criteria to a Question

    1. To add Criteria to a Question, select the Criteria button beside the corresponding question.
    2. Select the Add Criteria button.
    3. Enter the criteria text, Points Possible, whether to allow All or Nothing or Partial Credit, and whether to Allow Feedback to User.

       

    4. Select Submit
    5. Repeat steps 1-4 as necessary for each Question to add additional Criteria.

    Adding Word Count Criteria to a Question

    1. Select the Criteria button beside the corresponding question in the Assessment Canvas.
    2. Select the Add Word Count Criteria button.
    3. Enter the Points Possible, Word Count, and the Allowed Variation for the criteria.
    4. Select Subtmit.

     

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Adding Questions to a Self & Peer Assessment

    Adding Questions to a Self & Peer Assessment

    1. Select the Modify button by the Self & Peer Assessment in the Content Area in which it is located. 

       

    2. Select the Assessment Canvas.

       

    3. Select the Add Question button.

       

    4. Enter the question text.

       

    5. If desired, enter a Model Response. The Model Response is optional. It is only shown in the evaluation process to provide evaluators an exemplary response in which to compare submissions.

       

    6. Select Submit.
    7. Repeat steps 1-6 to add additional Questions.
    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Creating a Self and Peer Assessment

    See the VIDEO

     

    Overview

    The Self & Peer Assessment feature in Blackboard is designed to allow an instructor to create an assignment where peers are in control of the evaluation process. There are two parts to the feature. First, an instructor creates the assignment to be evaluated entering assignment instructions and submission dates. The submission piece is similar to the Assignment feature in Blackboard.

    The second part of the Self & Peer Assessment allows the instructor to set evaluation criteria and due dates for completing evaluations, including how many individual’s work each student will evaluate and whether or not they are anonymous. The evaluation criteria are set in the form of questions. Questions are general instructions to guide student’s evaluation of self or peer work. Once the general evaluation instructions are set-up, the instructor can add criteria to each question. Criteria includes how many points each question is worth and instructions on how to determine the point value to assign during the review process, as well as allowing text-based feedback on each question.

    Creating a Self & Peer Assessment

     

    Select the course that you would like to add a Self & Peer Assessment and enter the Control Panel.

    Select the Content Area in which you would like to store the Self & Peer Assessment.

     

     

     

    Select the Self & Peer Assessment option from the drop down menu.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Select the New radio button

     

     

     

     

     

    Provide identifying information and submission dates for the Self & Peer Assessment.

     

    Select the details for the Self  & Peer Assessment:

    Dates for the evaluation process to be completed

    Allow Anonymous Evaluation

    Allow Self Evaluation

    Show Evaluation Results to Submitter

    Number of submissions each student will evaluate

     

    Select the options for the Self and Peer Assessment:

    Availability

    Track number of views

    Date restrictions, not choosing either field makes the item immediately available and remains so

     

    Select the due date for Submissions

     

     

     

     

     

    Click on Submit

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Reports in Grade Center

    Overview

    The Reports feature in Blackboard’s Grade Center allows instructors to create reports for courses and students. The reports can include all or selected Students, Groups, Grade Columns, Calculated Columns, or columns in a Category. The reports can be customized using Header, Footer, User, and Column information, including a report name, adding a report date, adding a signature line, and deciding what student information to include in the report. The report is generated in a printable format with only one student displayed on each page of the report.

    Creating a Report

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Entering Grades in the Grade Center

    Overview

    Entering Grades:

    There are two options for entering grades in the Grade Center.  The first option allows you to enter or change a grade directly from the Grade Center Main Page.   This option is recommended if you are entering grades for an entire class.  The second option allows you to enter a grade for one student and view the Grade History.  Scores from gradable items that have been added to the content of a course such as online tests, assignments, and surveys are automatically entered into the grade center upon submission.

    To enter grades and feedback directly from the Grade Center Main Page:

    1. Click on the cell next to the student’s name for which you want to enter the grade
    2. Type the grade value
    3. Press the Enter key to submit.

    Note: If Enter is not pressed, and the user attempts to exit the entry cell or Grade Center, a dialog box will appear asking if the user would like to save the grade entry.  If so, in the dialog box, click OK to save the grade. 

     

     

    After you have entered a grade, you can also add feedback to the user directly from the Grade Center Main Page. 

    1. Click on the Action Button  (the double down arrows) in the grade cell of the student for which you want to add feedback.
    2. Choose Add Comment from the drop down box.
    3. Enter your comments in the Feedback to User box, and push Submit.

    Students will receive your feedback when they view their grades from the Tools Menu when they log into Blackboard.

    To enter a grade and feedback from the Grade Details Page:

    1. Click on the Action Button (double down arrows) in the grade cell of the student for which you want to view the grade details.
    2. Select Grade Details from the drop down box.  This will open the Grade Details Page.

       

    3. Click on Modifty Attempt to enter a grade and feedback.

       

    4. Enter the Grade in the Value Box as well as Feedback to User if you want students to receive feedback from you.  Be sure to click save.

       

    5. Click OK located at the bottom right of the screen to return to the Grade Center Main Page.

     

     

     


     

     

     

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Managing Categories in the Grade Center

    A Grade Center Category is a classification of a Grade Center column of a Course.  For instance, “Homework,” “Test,” or “Quiz” are possible Categories that may have Grade Center columns associated with them.  The Grade Center includes the following default Categories: “Discussion” and “Test” which cannot be deleted or modified.  Categories are helpful in organizing and utilizing the Grade Center, can integrate with Grade Center columns as well as be used in the creation of a report. 

    To create a new category:

    1. Click Manage in the Action Bar of the Grade Center located at the top of the Grade Center Main Page.

    2. Select Categories from the drop down menu. This will open the Categories Page.

    3. Click Add Category from the top left of the Categories Page.

    4. Enter a Name for the Category and a description (optional)

     

    5. Click Submit to save the new category.

     

    To Modify a Category Name or Description:

    Note: Default Categories cannot be modified.  However, any Categories the user creates can be modified. 

    To Remove a Category:

    Note: Default Categories cannot be removed from the Grade Center.  Only Categories that have been created by a user and that are not in use in a course may be removed.

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Access Your Course(s)

    Click on the link which names the course you want to access in the My Courses Area of Blackboard.

     

     

     

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Adding A Minimum Maximum Column in the Grade Center

    Adding a Minimum/Maximum Column

    The Minimum/Maximum Column is designed to show the minimum or maximum grade student’s earned for selected columns as specified in the criteria by the instructor. It operates similar to the Total Column, except that it calculates minimum or maximum grades.

    1. Go to Add Calculated Column in the Action Bar and select the Minimum/Maximum option in the Action Link.

    1. Enter a Column Name and, if desired, a Display Name. The Column Name will appear in all records of the column, except in the main Grade Center view if a Display Name is selected. The Display Name is optional and only appears in the main Grade Center view. Each entry can be no longer than 15 characters.

    1. Enter a Description of the column. The Description is optional.

    1. Select a Primary Display and, if desired, a Secondary Display for the grade. The default Primary Display is Percentage. The Secondary Display is optional and only shows in the Grade Center in parentheses for the instructor, not in My Grades.

    1. Choose whether to calculate as a Minimum or Maximum.

    1. Choose whether to include All Grade Columns, All Grade Columns in Grading Period (if one exists), or Selected Grade Columns, Calculated Columns, or Categories. If the last option is chosen, the instructor must specify which columns or categories to include in the total column.

    1. Choose whether or not to Calculate as a running total by selecting Yes or No.

    1. Select whether or not to Include Column in Grade Center Calculations, Show this Column in My Grades, and Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades by selecting Yes or No beside each option.

    1. Select Submit.

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Adding An Average Column in the Grade Center

    Adding an Average Column

    The Average Column is designed to average the scores of columns that a student earned from the criteria specified by the instructor.

    1. Go to Add Calculated Column in the Action Bar and select the Total option in the Action Link.

    1. Enter a Column Name and, if desired, a Display Name. The Column Name will appear in all records of the column, except in the main Grade Center view if a Display Name is selected. The Display Name is optional and only appears in the main Grade Center view. Each entry can be no longer than 15 characters.

    1. Enter a Description of the column. The Description is optional.

    1. Select a Primary Display and, if desired, a Secondary Display for the grade. The default Primary Display is Percentage. The Secondary Display is optional and only shows in the Grade Center in parentheses for the instructor, not in My Grades.

    1. Choose whether to include All Grade Columns, All Grade Columns in Grading Period (if one exists), or Selected Grade Columns, Calculated Columns, or Categories. If the last option is chosen, the instructor must specify which columns or categories to include in the total column.

    1. Choose whether or not to Calculate as a running total by selecting Yes or No.

    1. Select whether or not to Include Column in Grade Center Calculations, Show this Column in My Grades, and Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades by selecting Yes or No beside each option.

    1. Select Submit.

     

     

     

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Adding A Calculated Column in the Grade Center

    1. Go to Add Calculated Column in the Action Bar and select the Total option in the Action Link.

    1. Enter a Column Name and, if desired, a Display Name. The Column Name will appear in all records of the column, except in the main Grade Center view if a Display Name is selected. The Display Name is optional and only appears in the main Grade Center view. Each entry can be no longer than 15 characters.

    1. Enter a Description of the column. The Description is optional.

    1. Select a Primary Display and, if desired, a Secondary Display for the grade. The default Primary Display is Percentage. The Secondary Display is optional and only shows in the Grade Center in parentheses for the instructor, not in My Grades.

    1. Choose whether to include All Grade Columns, All Grade Columns in Grading Period (if one exists), or Selected Grade Columns, Calculated Columns, or Categories. If the last option is chosen, the instructor must specify which columns or categories to include in the total column.

    1. Choose whether or not to Calculate as a running total by selecting Yes or No.

    1. Select whether or not to Include Column in Grade Center Calculations, Show this Column in My Grades, and Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades by selecting Yes or No beside each option.

    1. Select Submit.

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Adding A Weighted Grade Column in the Blackboard 8 Grade Center

    Adding a Weighted Column

    The Weighted Column is designed for showing a student’s weighted grade based on criteria assigned by the instructor.

    1. Go to Add Calculated Column in the Action Bar and select the Weighted option from the Action Link menu.

     

     

     

    1. Enter a Column Name and, if desired, a Display Name. The Column Name will appear in all records of the column, except in the main Grade Center view if a Display Name is selected. The Display Name is optional and only appears in the main Grade Center view. Each entry can be no longer than 15 characters.

     

     

    1. Enter a Description of the column. The Description is optional.

     

    1. Select a Primary Display and, if desired, a Secondary Display for the grade. The Secondary Display is optional and only shows in the Grade Center in parentheses for the instructor, not in My Grades.

     

     

     

    1. S

      Click on a Column or Category in the left-hand boxes, then use the arrow buttons to move the selections to the Selected Columns area for weighting.

      elect either Columns or Categories to include in the weighting. Columns are individual items, whereas Categories are groups of multiple columns. Click on the desired Column or Category to select it, then select the arrow to move it to the Selected Columns area.

       

     

    1. Once the Selected Columns are chosen, enter the percentage of the grade for Column entries. For Category entries, enter the percentage of the grade, whether to weight Equally or Proportionally, and whether to Drop Grades using the highest or lowest grades or Use only the lowest or highest values to calculate.

     

     

     

    1. Choose whether or not to Calculate as a running total by selecting Yes or No.

     

    1. Select whether or not to Include Column in Grade Center Calculations, Show this Column in My Grades, and Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades by selecting Yes or No beside each option.

     

    1. Select Submit.

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Adding Columns in the Grade Center

    Adding a Grade Column

    The Grade Column feature is designed for manually entering grade columns in the Grade Center.

    1. Select the Create Column button in the Action Bar.

    2. Enter a Column Name and, if desired, a Display Name. The Column Name will appear in all records of the column, except in the main Grade Center view if a Display Name is selected. The Display Name is optional and only appears in the main Grade Center view. Each entry can be no longer than 15 characters.

       

    1. Enter a Description of the column. The Description is optional.

        

    1. Select a Primary Display and, if desired, a Secondary Display for the grade. The Secondary Display is optional and only shows in the Grade Center in parentheses for the instructor, not in My Grades.

    1. Select a Category. The default is No Category. Note: Other than defaults, categories must first be created before they can be accessed in the drop-down menu.

    1. Enter the Points Possible for the column. All entries must be numeric values.

    1. Enter the Due Date. Select None or select Due On and a specific date with the calendar drop down options.

    1. Select whether or not to Include Column in Grade Center Calculations, Show this Column in My Grades, and Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades by selecting Yes or No beside each option.

    1. Select Submit.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    If Your Course is not listed in Blackboard

    JMU Records and Registration Course information is uploaded to Blackboard several weeks prior to the beginning of a semester.  Changes in course information are then populated to Blackboard from the JMU student database twice daily.  If you do not see a course that should be listed in Blackboard, please consult your department head. 

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Make Your Course Available or Unavailable

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Combined Course Requests

    Faculty who are teaching multiple sections of the same course may prefer to combine the sections into one Blackboard course. 

    PLEASE NOTE: If you plan on combining your Blackboard course sections, please wait until the combinationis complete before adding or modifying materials to your courses. All material added or modified before the combination is complete will be lost.

    To combine courses, please do the  following:

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Hide or Show Your Courses

    You can Hide/Show any courses.

        

    The button is called "Manage My Courses Module Settings"

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Student Enrollments

    JMU Records and Registration uploads enrolled student information to JMU Blackboard twice daily.  This process is automated and therefore, faculty do not need to manually enroll students into their courses. 

    PLEASE NOTE: If a student requests enrollment in a Blackboard course, please ask the student to contact the JMU Registrar's office at 568-6821 or 504 Warren Hall.  Any student who is enrolled without Registrar Office consent may not receive course credit.

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Create an Announcement

     

    View the VIDEO

     

     


     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    Create an Item & Upload a File

     

    View the create VIDEO

    View the upload files VIDEO

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    External User Password Reset

     

    View the VIDEO

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10

    Faculty Support

    FYI s

     

    Enroll a user

    Change user properties, e.g. how to make a student your T/A

    Edit Mode, i.e. seeing what your students see or having the ability to modify

    Copy a course, semester to semester

    Illegal Characters in Blackboard video, what not to use in file names

     

    Add a Content Area to your course

    Add a folder to Content Area in your course

    Rearrange a Content Area in your course

    Rename a Content Area in your course

    Delete a Content Area from your course

     

    The Performance Dashboard explained

     

     

    Last updated on Sat, May 25, 2013 - 5:32:10