Transition to Bb 9
Fresno State is upgrading Blackboard from version 7.3 to version 9. Summer and Fall 2009 will be a transition phase with only selected courses running in the new version. Spring 2010 the implementation of Blackboard version 9 will be campus wide.
Faculty will find more information on Blackboard 9 in the Blackboard Faculty Forum located in the My Organizations on Blackboard 7.
Blackboard 9 Documentation and Training Tutorials!
Blackboard Sandbox Courses
All faculty have Blackboard 9 Sandbox courses on the pilot server. These sandboxes have been created so faculty may preview and explore the new version of Blackboard. The sandboxes are not intended for course development and will only be available until the end of the fall 2009 semester. You may access your sandbox course on the pilot site at http://bb-app-pilot.csufresno.edu using your Fresno State username and password. If you want to participate as part of the Blackboard 9 pilot this fall please email Mary Bennett mbennett@csufresno.edu/.
Blackboard 9 Pilot Information
- Due to the fact that the Grade Center does not load properly for instructors when they access it from the link in Blackboard 7, it is suggested that instructors login directly to the pilot server when working in the Grade Center http://bb-app-pilot.csufresno.edu. This is not an issue for students.
- Due to the budget issues, furlough days are a challenge. On furlough days Blackboard user and technical assistance is limited so you may want to avoid giving exams or having students submit assignments on those days. This will ease the frustration in the event that students have technical issues.
Blackboard 9 Training
All training will be using the Blackboard 9 platform. To register for Blackboard Training visit http://training.csufresno.edu/ for instructions.
Blackboard 9 Workshops
What’s New in Blackboard 9
In this workshop participants will be introduced to the new features, interface and navigation found in Blackboard 9. This version of Blackboard features a new “course hompage” which allows instructors to customize what the students see upon entering a course. There are fewer clicks to navigate to complete course setup options as well as drag and drop functionality. Additionally, the Control Panel is accessible from any page in the course making navigation easy and flexible. Blackboard 9 offers new and improved social learning tools such as blogs and journals, and other Web 2.0 technologies that allow for greater interactivity and collaboration.
Blackboard Start-Up
This is the first course in the Blackboard series and is designed to help faculty/staff get started developing web-enhanced courses on Blackboard. Topics include an introduction to online learning and the basics of Blackboard. You will learn how to set-up your course and create a Course Menu suitable for your students. Common start-up tasks such as creating announcements, adding calendar entries, selecting tools, uploading documents, and setting up discussion forums will also be introduced. Participants will also learn to customize their courses to add visual interest and address pedagogical requirements.
Participants are encouraged to bring any materials they wish to upload on a flash drive.
Blackboard Evaluation Tools
This course is designed to help faculty/staff create online tests, surveys and assignments. Participants will also gain an understanding of the Performance Dashboard and other features in Blackboard that allow instructors to track user progress. In addition the Adaptive Release features, which give instructors control over the release of content to students, will be presented.
Blackboard Collaboration Tools
In this course faculty/staff will learn how to use the discussion boards, chat feature, virtual classroom and Blackboard email to effectively communicate in the online classroom. In addition, the Group feature will be covered, which provides instructors with the opportunity to easily set-up groups in Blackboard courses. The new Blog and Journal tools, which are ideal for allowing students to create and share ideas with their instructor or other students, will also be presented.
Blackboard Grade Center
Learn the basics of the Grade Center, including creating, modifying, and grading assignments, sending feedback to students, and using the Grade Center to help manage your course. Explore the ability to enter student scores much more efficiently, select dual display of Grade Center data, access audit/grade history changes, provide Gradebook comments, and much more.
Individual Instructional Design Consultations
By appointment:
Mary Bennett mbennett@csufresno.edu
JoLynne Blake jblake@csufresno.edu.