Most of my day as a Blackboard (Bb) system administrator is spent monitoring the system, finding ways to improve performance, working with vendors to develop Learn integrations, and troubleshooting request for support. While I enjoy that, but one of my favorite this to do is talk with students about the technology. It is interesting how some students think they do not have a voice about
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Groups in Blackboard Learn & Google
Posted on 11:53 by Unknown
Shared the below information from Blackboard Inc. (Bb) about an opportunity for faculty to help Bb improve LEARN course groups with some co-workers. Not all companies ask clients for feedback, so I strongly believe if they ask then take the time to assist or you do not have the right to complain. Just in case you are a LEARN faculty and did not get informed here is the information.
SURVEY:
Monday, 28 January 2013
MERLOT is not just a fine wine, but a great educational resource
Posted on 08:11 by Unknown
When you here the term "merlot" you might be tempted to think about a fine wine, but try thinking about an organization that deals with " Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching" instead. "MERLOT is made up of over 43,000 members, who are primarily Faculty, Staff, Students, Administrators and Librarians" (Merlot.org, 2009). Here are just a few things that Merlot has
Friday, 25 January 2013
Blackboard Content Editor & Snapshot to SIS Integration
Posted on 07:09 by Unknown
Peter DiFalco, from California State University provided several Blackboard (Bb) System Administrators a good explanation as to why Bb users cannot just right click and paste into the new Content Editor, but instead have to use the keyboard shortcuts like CTRL-V. Since this is a question that I have also been asked, I thought I would share Peter's answer with everyone. Blackboard based the
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Jobs, Conferences, Old Brains, & Other Stuff
Posted on 12:33 by Unknown
Here are just a few of the jobs I have heard about lately.
Envy Labs & Code School are looking to hire some additional Ruby developers in Orlando. Click here to learn more.
The University of Chicago has two positions open: Learning Platforms Service Manager – Req. #091575 (please note – Blackboard is referenced as Chalk at the University). Academic Technology Analyst – Req #091689 Please
Envy Labs & Code School are looking to hire some additional Ruby developers in Orlando. Click here to learn more.
The University of Chicago has two positions open: Learning Platforms Service Manager – Req. #091575 (please note – Blackboard is referenced as Chalk at the University). Academic Technology Analyst – Req #091689 Please
Monday, 21 January 2013
Blackboard and ePortfolio's
Posted on 11:51 by Unknown
I am continuously getting asked about ePortfolio's within Blackboard, so here is what I know. At Shenandoah University we do not license the Bb content system, thus we don't have a "portfolio" option. Right now we tell instructors to use Google Sites, ePortfolio.org, Epsilen.com, or pay for integration with Learning Objects. While these tools work, faculty really want something that is inside
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Sometimes Blackboard System Administrator Is The Problem
Posted on 08:50 by Unknown
I always tell my students at Lord Fairfax Community College that no one is a total "technology expert". With the rapid speed in which technology changes, there is always something to learn. Area experts do exist though and Dictionary.com agrees as "expert" is defined there as "A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area." As much as the Blackboard
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
LMS Interactive Rubrics Enhance Instructor Feedback
Posted on 03:25 by Unknown
Since Service Pack 6 of Bb Learn 9.1 faculty have been able to include rubrics. Rubrics are a great tool to foster instructional best practices and help faculty teach more efficiently, while letting students understanding their scores on assignments.
According to Blackboard (Bb) Rubrics help:
Increase Efficiency – Rubrics built right into the grading workflow with click-and-score simplicity
Monday, 14 January 2013
Discussion Boards in Blackboard 9.1
Posted on 06:56 by Unknown
Only one day into our semester and I am learning how much people do not understand all the features of Blackboard's (Bb) discussion board features. Hopefully, this post will help some.
To mark threads as read/unread:
Select a thread by clicking the check box next to it.
Point to Thread Actions, and then click Mark as Read or Mark as Unread.
To lock Threads:
Select a thread by
To mark threads as read/unread:
Select a thread by clicking the check box next to it.
Point to Thread Actions, and then click Mark as Read or Mark as Unread.
To lock Threads:
Select a thread by
Friday, 11 January 2013
6 Suggestions For The New Semester With Bb Learn
Posted on 07:39 by Unknown
As higher education faculty start their semester, I thought I would provide a few tips and reminders to help get the most from Blackboard Learn 9.1.
Reflect on Your Activities:
Think about what course activities you did in your classes before. What was the high points and what lead to them. What assignments were successes and not-so-successful? Think about how to make those not-so-successful
Reflect on Your Activities:
Think about what course activities you did in your classes before. What was the high points and what lead to them. What assignments were successes and not-so-successful? Think about how to make those not-so-successful
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Stange January Scramble
Posted on 09:05 by Unknown
Vanderbilt not only creates Blackboard (Bb) building blocks for Bb Learn users, they are working to give independence back to people with paraplegia. A team of engineers at Vanderbilt University’s Center for Intelligent Mechatronics has developed a powered exoskeleton that enables people with severe spinal cord injuries to stand, walk, sit and climb stairs. Its light weight, compact size and
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Technology Tidbits January 8, 2013
Posted on 05:09 by Unknown
Google Changes Going into Effect This Month - A posting on the Google Developers Blog announced that some
features will be going away starting this month. Most notably is the
ability to create Appointment Slots in Google Calendar. Further
information can be attained by following this link: http://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2012/12/winter-cleaning.html
According to Lee Rainie and Maeve Duggan
Monday, 7 January 2013
Blackboard Mobile Values User Feedback
Posted on 06:35 by Unknown
Image from GWU.edu
I love the Blackboard (Bb) listservs because they provide a fast feedback when I need help from an administrative\system issue. I can go to my peers on the listserv and get suggestions quickly, which allows me to solve my problem without having to submit a support ticket. Additionally, it allows me to discover if the issue is just happening at my institution or are others
Thursday, 3 January 2013
My 2013 Wish List For Blackboard, Inc.
Posted on 11:33 by Unknown
Just as people make New Years resolutions and wishes of what they hope happens in their lives during in upcoming year. I made a list of wishes for Bb's new CEO (Jay Bhatt) to consider.
Wishlist from my Bb System Administrator job:
To have discounted and bundled pricing based on number of Bb products licensed at their institution. This will reward institutions who engage in all that Bb has
Wishlist from my Bb System Administrator job:
To have discounted and bundled pricing based on number of Bb products licensed at their institution. This will reward institutions who engage in all that Bb has
Blackboard, Inc. 2012 in Review From One Customer's View
Posted on 06:39 by Unknown
Blackboard, Inc. (Bb) was busy in 2012 and they keep me busy trying to keep up. While I cannot say 2012 was always a smooth road with Bb and their products. I can say that if you drive into a pot hole with Bb, stop and ask them to help fix your car. They are willing to listen and try to find a solution that is best of all. Keep in mind that the solution may require you to give a little also, but
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
MOOCS and Alternative Education Links
Posted on 05:04 by Unknown
Below are just a few links if you want to learn more about MOOCs, why some universities are opening up their doors to classes, and why MOOCs have gotten a good response from today's learners and time short professionals.
Massive Open Online Courses as Drivers for Change: http://alternative-educate.blogspot.com/2012/12/av-fall-cni-2012-massive-open-online.html
All MOOCs, All The Time:
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