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Blackboard 8 Basics & Communication Tools

Blackboard 8 Tutorials

This resource page provides a wide selection of downloadable “How do I” Blackboard 8 tutorials, in PDF format. Please check this page frequently for updates as we create and post new tutorials and demos.

Blackboard “Hands-on” Workshop sessions are held each academic semester. Check for upcoming training opportunities at (Training Opportunities link).

One-on-One Blackboard training is available at Missouri State Online. Contact Nancy Gordon, NancyGordon@MissouriState.edu, or Nicholas Farha, NicholasFarha@MissouriState.edu, to schedule an appointment.

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Blackboard Basics Description
Blackboard Courses @ MS

Information on Blackboard course requests and what you need to be aware of the beginning and end of each semester.

Getting Started How to log into Blackboard and navigate the Course Menu and instructor’s Control Panel.
Course Setup and Maintenance Description
Modify the Course Menu Add/Modify/Remove and rearrange course menu items. Also includes changing the appearance of the menu buttons.
Course Availability Learn how to make your course available for students. This is an important course setting.
Course Copy Learn how to copy course materials from one course into another course. This is useful for copying content from semester to semester.
Remove ‘Old’ Courses from My Courses View Learn how to remove or hide courses from previous semesters from the My Courses view
Adding Course Content Description
Adding Files/Items Learn how to add a Course Syllabus or other documents to your course.
Adding Faculty
Information
How to add faculty contact information to your Blackboard course.
Adding an
Announcement
Post timely information or feedback for students on assignment due dates, changes in syllabus or course materials, or exam schedules. Send the Announcement as an email to students in the course.
Adding an External
Link
Add an external link to additional readings, MSU Library, or other course resources.
Adding Folders to a Content Area Learn how to add folders to organize your course material.
Copying and Moving Folders or Items Learn how to copy or move Folders or content items to another area of the course or into another course.
Course Tools Description
Modify Tools and
add a Tool Link to the Course Menu
Modify the Tools Area of your course and add a link to the Wiki, Blog, and iTunes directly on the course menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding Assignments
Description
Assignment Manager
Overview of using the Assignment Manager in Blackboard to post assignments and provide an area for students to complete and submit an assignment. Creating an Assignment automatically creates an item in the Grade Center, which stores all submitted Assignments.
Grading Assignments
Learn how to download submitted assignments and grade through the Grade Center.
Communication Tools
Description
Sending Email
Send an email to students directly from Blackboard
Using the Message Tool
The Message tool allows users to send and receive private messages within Blackboard
Using the Discussion Board  An overview of creating a discussion port and starting new threads.
Manage the Discussion Board
 Learn how to view, search, and manage discussion board postings.
Creating a Discussion Board Rubric
 How to create a rubric for discussion boards. Includes sample rubric.
Intro to Wikis
 Overview of Wiki tool and using Wiki for a group project.
Intro to Blogs
 Overview of Blog tool and adding a Blog as a private journal.
Accessing Podcast Episodes  How to insert a Podcast episode within a content area.