Tips for Communicating Effectively Using Blackboard

Tips for Communicating Effectively Using Blackboard Jason Rhode, Assistant Director Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center jrhode@niu.edu | jasonrhode.com | twitter.com/jrhode Handout available at http://blackboardtips.wikispaces.com/communications

Agenda
Tips for email using Blackboard
Tips for announcements using Blackboard
Tips for asynchronous discussions using Blackboard
Tips for synchronous presentations and discussions using Blackboard
Q&A

Email
Compose emails in word processor and save for future reuse
Email students from Blackboard
Save a copy of Blackboard emails in a folder in your email client
Email students regarding assessment deficiencies directly from Grade Center
Avoid using Blackboard’s built-in Messages tool

Announcements
Compose announcements in word processor and save for future reuse
Post important news items as announcements in Blackboard and simultaneously email to all students
Do not make announcements permanent so Blackboard can organize
Include course links when notifying students of new course resources or assignments

Asynchronous Discussions
Create “HELP!” forum and require students to post general questions there instead of sending via email
Enable subscription to “HELP!” forum and subscribe to be notified via email when new questions are posted
Create social forum for off-topic discussion

Asynchronous Discussions – cont.
Specify due dates for required contributions
Include due dates for discussion contributions in forum description
Make discussion forums available as needed rather than all at once
Reorder discussion forums in reverse chronological order to reduce scrolling

Asynchronous Discussions – cont.
Don’t remove past discussion forums
Supplement text communications with audio

Synchronous Communications
Offer synchronous chat options for Q&A
Archive synchronous sessions whenever possible to make available for those who can’t participate live

Session Handout http://blackboardtips.wikispaces.com/communications

Contact the Presenter Jason Rhode, Ph.D. Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center Northern Illinois University [email_address] jasonrhode.com twitter.com/jrhode 815.753.2475

Tips for Communicating Effectively Using Blackboard

by Jason Rhode

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