Blackboard

Managing your Blackboard Dashboard and Notifications

Blackboard, Ultra /

With both staff and students accessing Blackboard every day, we thought it would be useful to share some handy hints and tips about managing announcements, module (course) lists and profiles in Blackboard.

Profile and Activity Stream

We have a useful informative video for students about customising Blackboard, with an overview of the main profile and activity stream settings which can be applied:

Please see a link to the video below which can be shared with your students if you wish:

Customising Blackboard Ultra Link

Blackboard also provides an overview of the Activity Stream for users here: Activity Stream – Blackboard

Module Lists

How to select favourites

If your students are finding it tricky to find a module they need due to similar module titles / codes, or if they have more than one occurrence visible on their dashboard, they can favourite modules by selecting the star icon:

The favourites star brings the module to the top of their list, which is useful when assignments are due, and students need to locate the correct module quickly. This reduces the chance of a student accidentally submitting to an incorrect assignment submission point in another module occurrence.

Finding Missing or Hidden modules

You can use the search bar and filters on your ‘Courses’ page to find modules. If you discover that a module is missing as a staff member, you can enrol again using the Blackboard Access forms. Your access will then be granted within an hour and, as a staff member, it is possible to use the list at the bottom of the form to remove your own access too – so that you can hop on and off modules as necessary when supporting colleagues.

However, sometimes users inadvertently hide a module from their list in Blackboard. If this has happened, you will see the ‘Hidden from me’ option in the filter choices.

You can reveal the hidden module so it appears again in your list by using the three dots in the corner of the module tile → ‘Show Course’.  

Announcements

Blackboard has the following guidance for instructors about announcements:

Creating announcements in Blackboard Ultra

It is possible to save drafts of announcements ahead of when you need to send them, or to schedule announcements so that they are delivered to your students on a particular date and time.

Blackboard also has a student-orientated announcements help page, which you may find useful: How students view announcements

Reports of unwanted Email Announcements:

If any of your students have changed course or have completed earlier undergraduate study but are still receiving email notifications, these are most likely to be coming from a Blackboard organisation page. We can remove staff or students’ enrolments from any historic organisation pages. The unwanted messages will then stop clogging up inboxes.

Staff or students can contact us at tel@worc.ac.uk, to inform us about any announcement issues.

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Help Us Improve the Student Experience of Blackboard Ultra: Encourage your Students to Participate in a Focus Group! 

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The TEL Unit are excited to share an upcoming opportunity for students to shape the future of Blackboard Ultra at the University. To ensure the VLE continues to support effective teaching and learning, we’re hosting a series of student focus groups—and we’d love your help spreading the word. 

What’s the Goal? 

The focus group’s aim is to gather student insights on improving how Blackboard Ultra is used. Their feedback will guide key developments, including: 

  • Creating best practice recommendations for module design. 
  • Enhancing the structure and usability of Blackboard Ultra modules. 
  • Ensuring the VLE better supports the overall learning experience. 

Why Should Students Get Involved? 

We know from student feedback that the way the VLE is used has a direct impact on their learning experiences. This is a unique opportunity for students to ensure the VLE is developed in ways that support their needs as learners. Their voices will shape how Blackboard Ultra is used, benefitting both current and future cohorts. Plus, they’ll enjoy a relaxed environment with free tea, coffee, and biscuits! 

How Can You Help? 

We kindly ask you to share this opportunity with your students by: 

Event Details 

  • Sessions are short (max 1 hour), with various dates and times available across campuses. 
  • All feedback will be anonymous. 
  • Free tea, coffee and biscuits for all students. 

Sign-Up Information 
Students can join by scanning the QR code on the poster, visiting https://forms.office.com/e/MeD1sRmiDY , or emailing n.atkins@worc.ac.uk.

Thank you very much for your support! 

Help Us Improve the Student Experience of Blackboard Ultra: Encourage your Students to Participate in a Focus Group!  Read More »

Blackboard Enrolments for Semester 2

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Image By Flash Vector

Following on from our recent blog post regarding preparing your modules for Semester 2 Updating Your Blackboard Courses for Semester 2! – Technology Enhanced Learning Unit we are pleased to confirm that students are now being enrolled on to their semester 2 modules in readiness for teaching next year.

If you haven’t already, please update your modules with your teaching materials for the new semester.

Blackboard Enrolments for Semester 2 Read More »

Important Information: December Assignments & TEL Opening Times

Blackboard, Opening Times, Ultra /
Baubles in snow
By epiximages Adobe Stock

Please be advised that the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) unit will be closed for the Christmas break from end of day Friday, 20th December 2024, until Thursday, 2nd January 2025.

If your students have assignments due during this period or on the close of day on the 20th of December, TEL support will not be available. We kindly ask that you plan accordingly to provide any necessary support to your students during this time.

To ensure a smooth and stress-free submission process:

  • Establish a clear plan for assisting students with any submission issues.
  • Communicate this plan to your students in advance, emphasising that the TEL inbox will be unmanned over the break.

Resources for Support

Guidance on Turnitin and Panopto submissions is available on our webpage and in these blog posts:

It has been a pleasure supporting you with learning technologies at the University of Worcester this year, particularly as we’ve worked together on the implementation of our new VLE.

The TEL Team wishes you a wonderful festive break, and we look forward to collaborating with you in the new year!

Warm regards,
The TEL Team

Important Information: December Assignments & TEL Opening Times Read More »

Online speaker / person

Speakers Wanted! – A Scaffolded Approach to Blackboard Ultra for Engagement and Retention

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Now that staff have been using Blackboard Ultra for a Semester, we would like to showcase exemplary practice in the academic faculty, with a specific focus on using aspects of course design facilitated by Blackboard Ultra to aid student engagement and retention. As a result, we will be offering a short series of online seminars delivered by academics and members of the TEL and Library teams to generate ideas for methodologies that can be employed on your own Ultra modules. These sessions will be recorded and offered as resources for all staff.

While we have some sessions planned already, we would like to offer the opportunity for staff to volunteer as speakers to demonstrate innovative practice in their modules. Examples do not need to be perfect as areas where you can adapt your methodologies in future can provide a rich seam of discussion.

Areas that we are particularly interested in hearing from staff about include:

  • Using the in-built AI tools offered in Blackboard to create content.
  • Using Blackboard Ultra to help students engage with reading materials on Talis resource lists.
  • Innovative approaches to assessment, either formative or summative.
  • Using blended tuition structures, such as pre and post-session asynchronous tasks.
  • Using the Analytics tools to track student engagement.

If you would be interested in presenting, or discussing any ideas for presentations, please email Andrew Bright at a.bright@worc.ac.uk

Speakers Wanted! – A Scaffolded Approach to Blackboard Ultra for Engagement and Retention Read More »

Understanding Instructor Display in Ultra Modules: A Guide to Course Staff Visibility and Primary Instructor Settings

Blackboard, Ultra /

In Ultra modules, the Course Staff list offers students an easy way to see who is teaching their module. Knowing how instructors are displayed can help both staff and students navigate and connect more effectively. Here’s an overview of how the Course Staff display works, the rules that determine who appear, and how to set Primary Instructors for clearer organisation.

When you open an Ultra module, you’ll find the Course Staff list appears to the right of the page. The Course Staff list includes a selection of instructors based on a few specific parameters.

Course Staff List

Course Staff Guidelines

The way instructors appear under Course Staff follows these guidelines:

  • Instructor-Only Display: Only individuals assigned the ‘Instructor’ role will display under Course Staff.
  • Limited Initial Display: Initially, only two instructor names appear, arranged alphabetically. To see the complete list of instructors, you can click on “Show more.”
  • Primary Instructor Priority: If one or more Primary Instructors are set, they take precedence in the list over other instructors, altering the alphabetical display.

Primary Instructors: Setting and Displaying

Staff with the Instructor role can be assigned as Primary Instructors, which changes how they appear in the Course Staff list. Here’s how the list displays instructors based on Primary status:

  1. No Primary Instructor Set: The first two instructors in alphabetical order are displayed.
  2. One Primary Instructor Set: Only the designated Primary Instructor’s name appears.
  3. Two or More Primary Instructors: The first two Primary Instructors, arranged alphabetically, are displayed.

In all cases, students can click on “Show More” to see a complete list of all instructors in the course.

Steps to Set Primary Instructors

Setting an instructor as Primary helps make their presence more prominent on the Course Staff list. Here’s how to assign an instructor as Primary:

  1. Go to the Class Register: From the Details and Actions menu, navigate to the Class Register.
Details & Actions, Class Register
  1. Edit Member Information: Click the three-dot menu next to the instructor’s name and select Edit Member Information to open the Member Information panel.
Member Information
  1. Assign Primary Status: In the panel, you’ll find a checkbox labelled Primary Instructor. Select this box to designate the instructor as a Primary Instructor and save.
Member Information Menu, Primary Instructor selection

The Course Staff list is now updated to display the Primary Instructor.

Primary Instructor course staff view

This blog post was generated with the assistance of AI

Understanding Instructor Display in Ultra Modules: A Guide to Course Staff Visibility and Primary Instructor Settings Read More »

Updating Your Blackboard Courses for Semester 2!

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As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to start preparing your course content for Semester 2, which students will be able to access from December. Below are some effective tools and strategies to help you organise your Blackboard Learn Ultra courses:

Organise with Learning Modules

Structure your course content with Learning Modules, which provide an immersive and trackable experience. These modules allow students to follow a cohesive learning journey, and you’ll be able to see who’s engaging with each section.

Use the Content Market to add useful tools

Set up Turnitin assignments, add Panopto videos, and incorporate Talis Aspire Reading Lists (resource lists) directly into your Learning Modules. These integrations streamline access to essential course materials.

Convert or Create Course Documents

You can easily upload existing Word files and convert them into web pages that are accessible and editable directly within Blackboard. This makes updates convenient and ensures students always have the latest version to work from. Alternatively, create your own web pages using the content blocks to construct pages with multiple types of content all in one place.

Enhance Interactivity with AI Tools and Discussion Boards

Use AI Tests to set up quick, formative knowledge checks based on your course content. You can also incorporate Discussion Boards to foster peer interaction and co-construction of knowledge (and see who has participated!).

Leverage Analytics to Track Engagement

Adding interactive elements not only enhances the learning experience but also feeds valuable data into your Analytics. This can help you identify students who may need additional support or who aren’t fully engaging with the course material.

Updating Your Blackboard Courses for Semester 2! Read More »

Blackboard Ultra Implementation Feedback

Blackboard, Ultra /
Feedback © Web Buttons Inc

To All Blackboard users,

Phase one of the implementation of the new Blackboard Ultra VLE is now completed and the platform has been in use for learning and teaching since the beginning of this semester. The project team would like to get some feedback on how staff and students have been getting on with Ultra and have put together a very short feedback form to gather your thoughts and feelings about the new system.

The form should take no longer than five minutes to complete and any feedback you provide will be fed into the evaluation report and next phase developments. You can choose to remain anonymous.

You can access the form here.

Many thanks for taking the time to contribute.

Organisations in Ultra

Phase two of the Ultra implementation includes reviewing the use of Blackboard organisation sites. As a first step we are looking at which sites are no longer being used, and will be carrying out a housekeeping exercise to remove any organisations which have not been accessed within the past 12 months. If you have Blackboard Organisation sites you still wish to use, please contact e.symonds@worc.ac.uk and we can arrange a discussion about future provision.

Blackboard Ultra Implementation Feedback Read More »

Turnitin assignments and submissions

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With various assessment deadlines approaching soon, you may wish to refamiliarise yourself with our new guides and resources for Turnitin, and your submission points within Blackboard Ultra.

Our new Ultra manual includes settings for Turnitin Assignments. You can use this to check through the recommended settings, to ensure that everything is as it should be ahead of your students’ submissions. 

We have new guidance for Grading Turnitin assignments. In Ultra, there is no longer a need to manually hide the grade centre column, ahead of marking commencing. However, if this is within an older module, which uses our original Blackboard VLE, this action will still need to be taken.

Once marking has been completed, grades are automatically posted on the feedback release date, for Turnitin assignments. We have further details about releasing grades in Blackboard Ultra within our manual, and Blackboard also have additional advice for instructors: Assign Grades (blackboard.com)

You are most welcome to share our new Ultra Resources and FAQs with your students. Please see our Turnitin video below, which includes a demonstration of the submission process for students.

Here are some quick reference tips – if your students have any queries about their submissions:

  • Students can resubmit work to the submission point as many times as they like, until the due date if  ‘Generate reports immediately (students can resubmit until due date): After 3 resubmissions reports generate after 24 hours’ is selected:
Generate reports immediately
  • After the 3rd upload, there will be a delay of 24 hours until the next similarity report is received.
  • We recommend using ‘allow late submissions’ as a setting. Once the due date has passed, students who have already submitted ahead of this date and time, will be unable to resubmit again. However, if they have not made a submission until after the due date, a single attempt will be allowed, and this will appear as a late submission, highlighted in red.
  • Resubmissions, resits and mitigating circumstances, will require a new Turnitin submission point to be created in the original module.
  • Grades and feedback are automatically released to students, on the ‘Feedback Release Date’ and ‘Time’, for Turnitin assignments. Grades will then be visible within the Blackboard Ultra grade centre – where you will be able to see whether grades have been released, as these will have the label ‘Posted’ next to them.
  • You may wish to share relevant student support sources, in the run up to submissions, and to clarify with your students the title & location of the submission point.

Turnitin assignments and submissions Read More »

New Microsoft Integrations with Blackboard

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We are currently in the process of installing some exciting new Microsoft integrations to our Blackboard virtual learning environment. While these integrations are being installed and tested, you may see references to Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft Teams throughout various menus within your Ultra courses.

MS Teams in Ultra

While we understand that you are looking forward to trialling these, please could we ask that you refrain from using these features, until they have been fully tested and commissioned.

We will let you know when these features are ready to use with your students.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at TEL, tel@worc.ac.uk

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