Mastering Blackboard Learn: A Comprehensive Guide for UAA Students and Faculty
Blackboard Learn serves as the primary online learning environment at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to navigating and effectively utilizing Blackboard Learn, covering essential aspects for both students and faculty.
Introduction to Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn is UAA's central online space for courses, facilitating various instructional functions. This platform offers a range of tools for sharing materials, collecting assignments, tracking grades, and promoting student interaction. Whether you are a student accessing course content or an instructor managing your online classroom, understanding Blackboard Learn is crucial for academic success.
Accessing Blackboard Learn
User Access and Login
To access Blackboard Learn, users need to have activated their UAOnline account. Once activated, you can log in to Blackboard using your UAOnline credentials.
Populating Courses with Enrolled Users
Students are automatically added to the course in Blackboard Learn as they enroll in the course in UAOnline.
Navigating the Blackboard Learn Interface
Blackboard Learn offers two interface options: Original and Ultra. While UAA primarily utilizes the Original interface, understanding both can be beneficial.
Read also: Learn about Blackboard Learn at UD
Blackboard Original
The Original interface is the standard for most UAA courses. It provides a structured environment with various tools and features accessible through the course menu.
Blackboard Ultra
Blackboard Ultra offers a more modern and streamlined interface. UAA faculty have the option to transition their courses to Ultra, but it is not mandatory. Training sessions are offered regularly to assist faculty in effectively utilizing the Ultra interface.
Key Features and Tools in Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn offers a variety of tools and features to enhance the teaching and learning experience.
Content Management
Instructors can upload a variety of content, including documents, presentations, and multimedia files, to Blackboard Learn courses. This allows students to access course materials at any time.
Communication and Collaboration
Blackboard Learn has built-in tools for student interaction. Discussion boards, announcements, and messaging features facilitate communication between students and instructors.
Read also: Learn Ultra Navigation
Assessments and Grading
Instructors can create and deploy various types of assessments, including quizzes, exams, and assignments, through Blackboard Learn. The platform also provides tools for grading and providing feedback to students.
Zoom Integration
Zoom video/web conferencing is integrated into Blackboard at UAA. This integration allows instructors to host virtual class meetings, office hours, and more.
Blackboard Ally
Blackboard Ally is a tool that helps ensure course content is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. Ally provides alternative formats for course materials and offers guidance on improving accessibility.
Essential Tasks for Students
Checking Course Delivery Mode
Students should check the student-facing Class Schedule Search to determine the delivery mode for their courses. Courses may be offered in-person, online with set times (synchronous), or online with no set time (asynchronous).
Accessing Course Materials
Log into Blackboard before classes start to see if any announcements or information has been posted for your classes.
Read also: Drexel University LMS
Submitting Assignments
Students can submit assignments electronically through Blackboard Learn. It is important to pay attention to deadlines and submission instructions.
Participating in Discussions
Engage in discussion boards and other interactive activities to enhance your understanding of the course material and connect with your classmates.
Checking Grades and Feedback
Regularly check your grades and feedback on Blackboard Learn to monitor your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Essential Tasks for Faculty
Preparing for Different Delivery Modes
Faculty should be prepared to teach in both in-person and online delivery modes simultaneously.
Designing Assessments
When designing assessments, focus on application and analysis (compare…) rather than testing recall. Focus on process and problem-solving. Consider assigning the relevant sections of the UAA Academic Integrity Tutorial.
Promoting Academic Integrity
Encourage academic integrity by discussing how and why you have changed the assessment. Make sure your students know what is expected of them.
Utilizing Proctoring Tools
UAA uses Honorlock for remote proctoring. If you'd like to use proctored exams in your course, you need to fill out the Faculty Request Form.
Ensuring Accessibility
Ensure that all course materials are accessible to students with disabilities. Use Blackboard Ally to identify and address accessibility issues. Accurate captions are required for all videos.
Managing Course Content
Regularly update and maintain course content to ensure it is accurate and relevant.
Communicating with Students
Use announcements, discussion boards, and email to communicate with students and provide timely feedback.
Guidelines and Policies
Appropriate Behavior
All users are expected to adhere to the behavior standards outlined in UAA's "Acceptable Use Policy."
Copyright-Protected Materials
Faculty should be aware of copyright laws when using materials in Blackboard Learn. External links should include a notification to students that the content will open in a new window.
Accessibility Requirements
UAA is committed to providing accessible learning environments for all students. All Blackboard Learn courses must comply with federal and state accessibility requirements, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0).
Course Size Limitations
The size limitation associated with UAA Blackboard Learn courses is 5GB.
Course Deletion
Courses are subject to automated deletion after a certain period. Instructors will receive notifications prior to deletion.
Technical Support
UAA Technical Support Center
The UAA Technical Support Center provides assistance with Blackboard Learn and other technology-related issues.
Blackboard Instructor Help
Visit Blackboard Instructor Help for step-by-step instructions for common functions or watch the Blackboard Instructor YouTube playlist (95 videos).
Additional Resources
UAA Technology Knowledge Base
Refer to the UAA Technology Knowledge Base for articles and guides on various Blackboard Learn features.
Web Conferencing Page
Our Web Conferencing page provides guidance and instruction for setup, security, and more.
Peer Interaction Page
Please review our Peer Interaction page for more information.
Blackboard Mobile Learn App
Access Blackboard Learn on mobile devices through the Blackboard Mobile Learn app. Download the Blackboard Mobile Learn Feature Guide by Device (PDF) to check out all the features.
Academic Integrity
Consider assigning the relevant sections of the UAA Academic Integrity Tutorial. To access the tutorial, log in to Blackboard, go to UAA Academic Integrity Tutorial, then click Enroll.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
If you need accommodations, please reach out to the Disability Support Services (DSS) office. Disability Support Services (DSS) provides support for students with disabilities.
Honorlock
UAA uses Honorlock for remote proctoring. You should be registering to use Honorlock every semester you use it. Refer to the guide to using Honorlock in Blackboard Original and Honorlock in Blackboard Ultra.
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