About

About Blackboard

West Virginia Network offers Web-based training products and facilities from Bb that are available to state public higher education institutions who wish to participate. WVNET has a statewide license which provides for unlimited use of Bb by faculty, students, and administrators at participating institutions.

Bb is a facility that helps non-technical instructors to create sophisticated World Wide Web-based educational environments. Bb can be used to create entire on-line courses, or to simply publish materials that supplement existing courses. Bb uses the familar interface of a Web browser for both course design and delivery.

Bb facilitates the organization of online course material, and provides a wide variety of tools and features that can be added to these courses, including a conferencing system, on-line chat, student progress tracking, group project organization, student self-evaluation, grade maintenance and distribution, access control, navigation tools, auto-marked quizzes, electronic mail, automatic index generation, course calendar, student homepages, course content searches and much more.

Bb can also be used to deliver courses authored by third party vendors. Several publishers are also providing ready-made Bb content to supplement their textbooks. To find more information about publisher supplements made for Bb courses, visit Bb's Content Showcase at http://www.blackboard.com/content/.

Bb has been successfully implemented across many West Virginia campuses, where it continues to be used as a valuable part of the curriculum. To date, Bb is being used at many higher education institutions across the state, in over 2000 classes and is also being utilized by state agencies for training purposes.

Higher education institutions today face tremendous challenges. The Internet and other technologies have opened up innovative new ways to teach and learn, and to communicate and collaborate across boundaries. Institutions began by putting courses online, now they strive to create a Networked Learning Environment on campus. At the same time, institutions face many challenges: increasing efficiency by doing more with less, addressing the needs of non-traditional students and finding more effective ways to measure student learning outcomes.

The Blackboard Academic Suite provides powerful capabilities that enable higher education institutions to improve student outcomes and enhance teaching and learning. This world-class software suite has become a mission-critical application at educational institutions around the world. They’re relying on Blackboard to help their constituents learn and connect with others in the community while sharing the best educational content. 

For additional information about Blackboard, visit the company Web site: http://www.blackboard.com.

Blackboard at WVNET

For more information about Blackboard at WVNET, see:

• Blackboard Hardware and Software Requirements
• the Blackboard Statewide Discussion List
• the Blackboard Online Teaching and Learning Resources page
• Blackboard Course Request Form

Questions? Comments?

Send E-mail to Kathy Musick, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Requirements

Blackboard Hardware & Software Requirements

WVNET currently supports the Blackboard Campus Edition 4.1.5 version (see WebCT 4_1 Getting Started Guide online). We do not recommend any particular brand of computer to run this product, but instead will provide a general overview. It is the responsibility of the user to make sure that they have the necessary computer resources and skills to take these classes. Users MUST have access to a computer that meets the following specifications.

Section 1: What Your Computer Needs to Have

Internet Access

The computer must be able to connect to the Internet and allow the student to browse the World Wide Web. E-mail access is optional.

Hardware

Because Blackboard is a web based application which does not run on the desktop computer, there are not any stated hardware requirements. If users are running a supported browser with the required configuration, they will almost certainly have the required hardware to be able to use Bb.

Operating System

As a user, you can pretty much use any version of Windows as the browser you use and the version of Java that you install with your browser are what is important. For a complete list, see http://www.webct.com/tuneup/

Section 2: Web Browser Requirements & Options

A browser is the tool that lets your computer "read" the pages on the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer are two of the most popular browsers; others are also available.

Supported Browsers

Microsoft Windows 98, 2nd edition/2000/XP operating systems software:

• Netscape Navigator 6.2.x, 7.0 and 7.1 browsers
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.5 6.0 and 7.0 browsers. Note: Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 is not supported
• AOL 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0 browsers

Macintosh OS 9.x operating system software:

• Netscape Navigator 6.2.x browsers
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.1 browsers

Macintosh OS X v.10.1.x operating system software:

• Netscape Navigator 6.2.x, 7.0 and 7.1 browsers
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.1 and 5.2 browsers
• AOL for Macintosh OS X browsers

Macintosh OS X v.10.2.x operating system software:

• Netscape Navigator 6.2.x and 7.0 browsers
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2 browser
• AOL for Macintosh OS X browsers

Mozilla 1.5 and 1.6 are supported WebCT browsers.

Safari 1.2 is also a supported WebCT browser. 

AOL Users: We recommend strongly that if you are using America Online for your web access, you use America Online Version 4.0 or higher and a recommended version of Netscape or Internet Explorer as the browser instead of AOL's built-in browser. Here's how:

1. Connect as usual with AOL.
2. Close the window (don't sign off) and open a recommended version of Netscape or Internet Explorer on your system.
3. Then you can enter the course with the browser of your choice, and this should minimize your problems.

Section 3: Browser Configuration

To optimize your browser for Blackboard, we recommend the following browser settings:

• For all browsers, enable JavaScript.
• To use Chat, Whiteboard, the edit-on Pro HTML editor, and the WebEQ Equation Editor, enable Java.
• To use all features in Content Module, client browsers must allow cookies.
• For all browsers, enable cascading style sheets (.css).
• For all users, set cached pages to update "automatically" (Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Netscape Navigator 6.2.x), or "when the page is out of date" (Netscape Navigator 7.0). Cache is where your computer stores information about every Web site you have visited. Then, when you return to the same URL, the computer first reads its memory, instead of going out for a fresh look at the site. This can cause some problems when you're looking at a site repeatedly, as you will with your Bb course. Changes made to the pages won't show up if your browser is looking at old information.

Browser Checker Blackboard: Campus Edition 4.0 includes a new Check Browser feature that can automatically detect if the user's browser is compatible with Bb. If the browser is not compatible, users can access Bb's Browser Tune-Up Page from the Check Broswer screen to download a compatible browser. Note: Check Browser can only check the compatibility of browser versions; service packs are not checked.

Blackboard Version 4.0 New Features

Blackboard Campus Edition 4.0 has a new look. The style of the application has been updated throughout, and controls have been grouped and positioned to facilitate easier access and more efficient course design.

Section 1: Enhancements

The following enhancements have been added:

• Course tasks and activities now require fewer clicks.
• The breadcrumbs have been improved alllowing for easier course navigation.
• When entering a new screen, the cursor is now placed in the first input field so the user can begin entering information immediately.
• For designers:
  • tabs have been added to clearly separate the student view and designer view, making it easier to design and preview courses.
  • the view of the course -- either student or designer -- is maintained until the other view is specifically chosen.
  • the References and Links screens in Content Module are easier and faster to use.
  • the Self Test screens are easier and faster to use.
  • the Syllabus screen has been updated to separate and highlight the options associated with each of the two Syllabus sources, Syllabus file and Syllabus tool.

Section 2: Blackboard Tool and Page Enhancements

• To compliment Add Page or Tool, an Edit Page or Tool function has been added. This function allows the designer to access and edit all tools and content that has been added to the course.
• There are now two Control Panels available. The Basic Control Panel provides access to the main areas of Bb and the Expanded Control Panel is similar to the Designer Map from previous versions of Bb. The designer can choose which to use as the default. Also, the designer is able to set the course to open to the Control Panel rather than the Homepage.
• For designers, My Grades and My Progress now offer sample student views to demonstrate how this information is presented to students.
• In Calendar, the the Add entry function is now available from the monthly and weekly views, as well as the daily view. The Compile function is now available from the weekly view as well as the monthly view.
• For designers, the Glossary listing screen now shows the definitions as well as the keywords.
• The Notes topic can now be acccessed and posted to direclty from Discussions as well as from pages in a content module.
• Designers can now create files in Content Module as well as Manage Files.
• In Quizzes/Surveys:
  • the quiz index page has been replaced by a quiz listing page with a link to the Questions Database.
  • a Question Browser has been added. It is simiilar to the WebCT File Browser and makes it easier for designers to select questions to add to a quiz.
  • the Quizzes/Surveys screen has been improved. Summary data and search criteria have been added near the top of the screen to help users locate items in the listing more quicky. The format of the items in the listings has been changed so that longer titles can be used, and the status and pertinent information is easier to read.
• Integrated HTML Editor with Spell-Check: Bb Campus Edition 4.0 includes an HTML editor with spell-check, providing course designers with "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) content creation and edition capabilities, making it easier to create and maintain content within the WebCT course environment.

Section 3: Designer and Student Enhancements

These enhancements apply to both designers and students:

• The performance of the Bb Entry Page has been improved.
• Several minor issues related to accessibility have been resolved.
• In Quizzes/Surveys, pop-up blocking software will no longer prevent pop-up windows from opening.
• XML files that are attached to Discussions and Mail messages can now be viewed successfully.

These enhancements apply to only designers:

• Courses can now be reset using Course Functions on the myBb screen.
• It is now possible to download Self Test questions to their computer.
• Multiple choice Quiz questions that have been dowloaded to a computer can be imported into Self Test. All other question types will now be ignored.
• In Manage Files and the File Browser, selected files and folders remain selected when folders are expanded or collapsed.
• In Manage Students, the Letter Grade Editor screen in Manage Columns now display the grade ranges fro highest to lowest.
• WebDav allows designers to drag and drop files from their PC.

Section 4: WebDAV

Blackboard supports Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol (WebDAV) which offers Bb designers the convenience of drag and drop file management. Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) allows you to use a remote web server as though it were a local file server. This means you have local access to Bb course file folders and can use your computer's file manager to upload and download multiple course files.

You can view, manage, move, copy, save, and rename the files and folders on your Bb server just as you would perform the same actions in file manager. In particular, you can drag and drop files to and from the "WebDAV" folder to other folders on our local computer. When you hear "WebDAV" think "File drag and drop".

Setting up WebDAV on Windows XP

• Log into Blackboard and from your myWebCT screen, click the WebDAV info link. The WebDAV Info page appears.
• From your WebDAV info page, select and copy the URL for the Course Files you want local access to. The URL begins with http://. Ignore the Course Backup URL.
• Minimize the WebCT window; you are done with it for now.
• From your Windows desktop, double-click My Network Places.
• From your My Network Places folder, double-click Add a network place.
• The Welcome to the Add Network Place Wizard appears.
• Select Next.
• Select Choose another network location. In the "Where do you want to create this network place?" dialog box.
• Select the Next command button.
• Paste the URL that you copied from WebCT into the Internet or network address textbox.
• Select the Next command button. The Enter Network Password screen appears. Enter your UCA and Password. IMPORTANT: If you are sharing a local computer you should deselect the remember my password check box.
• Select the OK command button. The Completing the Add Network Place Wizard screen appears.
• In the Network Place text box, enter a name. This will be the name of the folder displayed on your desktop. Use a name that reminds you that it is a Bb folder for a particular course.
• Select the Next command button.
• To complete your WebDAV setup, select the Finish command button. A Microsoft WebFolder appears containing your Bb course files.
• Repeat these steps for every course that you want file drag and drop access.

This section reprinted from documentation by Dr. Roxann Humbert, Assistant Professor/Director Learning Technologies,Fairmont State University

Forum

WVNET Presents State Blackboard Discussion List

WVNET has created a new electronic discussion list called WVWEBCT to provide a forum for electronic dialogue between WVNET users of Blackboard's Web-based courseware & authoring, management and delivery tools, which are now available through West Virginia Network.

WVWEBCT is a "closed list" -- open for subscription to:

• faculty, students and staff at any West Virginia public higher education institution
• state agency employees
• K-12 teachers

Authorized participants will have access to the mailing list via any electronic mail package and an Internet connection.

WVWEBCT E-mail is processed by the list serving facility called LISTSERV on the WVNET VM/CMS operating system.

Subscriptions are controlled by the WVWEBCT list administrator, Kathy Musick, but discussions on this list are not "moderated" or screened -- electronic mail sent to the list address will automatically be forwarded to all subscribers.

Authorized users can subscribe to WVWEBCT and submit postings using the common E-mail techniques discussed below.

Subscribing to the WVWEBCT Discussion List

To receive electronic mail from, and send it to, WVWEBCT, you must first subscribe to the list by sending an E-mail request to the list administrator. Use your system's electronic mail capabilities to send your subscription request to the following address:

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The body of the note you send should contain the following content at a minimum:

subscribe WVWEBCT yourname

where "yourname" is your proper name entered in mixed case with spaces between the parts -- for example: John Doe or Johnnie B. Goode or John Beresford Tipton.

If your E-mail address indicates that you are eligible to subscribe, the list administrator will add you to the list, and you will receive subscription confirmation and additional instructions from LISTSERV.

Sending Mail to the WVWEBCT Discussion List

After subscribing to WVWEBCT, you can use your system's electronic mail capabilities to send files containing your messages to:

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Your correspondence will be delivered to all other WVWEBCT subscribers.

Removing Your Name from the WVWEBCT Discussion List

Use your E-mail system to send mail to:

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which contains the following command as the first line:

SIGNOFF WVWEBCT

You should receive confirmation that your name has been removed from the list.

NOTE: If you have problems using any of the instructions above, please report them to the WVWEBCT list administrator through the central site Help Desk, or by sending electronic mail to:

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Resources

WVNET Online Teaching and Learning Resources

Here are a collection of useful sites dealing with the most important issues related to online learning: learning styles, teaching, community building, accessibility, copyright issues, and comparisons of online course management systems.

This information is focused on WebCT. These tips can help instructors of completely online courses, as well as those that are using WebCT to enhance classroom education. Many of these ideas and concepts are applicable to those who are using other course management systems.

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Contents

Course Request Form

Blackboard Course ID Request Form

Access Blackboard

Ready to Access Blackboard?

Access the Blackboard Production System

Access the Blackboard Development System