2. Why Blackboard?
• Time saving
• No need to make bulk copies or reprint for students
• Quickly edit/update materials online
• Copy and reuse materials from previous terms
• Efficient & effective communication
• Clear written instruction available for students 24/7
• Easily add resources and support materials
• Send an email to entire class with one extra click
• Effective assessment
• Provides feedback online as you grade student’s work
• Student work stored online throughout the term
3. Design Cycle – Simple Steps
Investigate
Design
PlanCreate
Evaluate
The International Baccalaureate Organization
4. Step 1 - Investigate
As a first step, you need to investigate:
• The features available in Blackboard
• How these features can help you enhance your efficiency and
effectiveness
If you have been teaching in COCC but not fully utilizing
Blackboard yet, you may want to identify:
• Issues and challenges you have experienced
5. Blackboard Basic Features
• Gradebook – Student can submit assignments in Blackboard and
check their grade anytime throughout the term. The instructor
can customize grading scales and grade weighting
• Announcement – Post an announcement in Blackboard and
send it out to entire class via email.
• Course Documents – Providing course documents and support
materials to students via Blackboard saves time, money and
paper all while keeping materials convenient and accessible to
your students 24-7.
• Course information & Syllabi – Distributing syllabi to students in
your course with Blackboard is a fast, effective way to
communicate class objectives and instructor expectations.
6. Step 2 - Design
Brainstorm what features, buttons and folders you would like to
have in Blackboard based on the structure of your course.
Example:
• I want to create an Assignment folder and post instructions and
each due dates.
• I would like to have a online discussion site.
• My course requires some technical skills. I need to post some
Youtube video links for students to watch.
• I want to drop three of the student lowest homework scores at
the end of term.
• I want to have a multiple choice quiz each week.
7. Step 3 - Plan
Set a deadline or make a timetable (when you will do each of
the parts for your output) and prepare all the materials or
resources that you need for your output.
Make sure you have essential data and course materials ready at
least for the first week of the term.
Items you may need:
• Couse syllabus
• Instructor info. (email address, phone#, Office Hour, etc.)
• Course materials
8. Step 4 - Create
Let’s log in to the Blackboard account created for you.
New to Blackboard?
Click on the Build Your Couse BB in 30 min button on the menu
link and watch tutorial videos at your pace.
Want to add features or modify your Blackboard?
Click on the Add More Features button on the menu link and
find out what kind of exciting features are available for you.
9. Step 5 - Evaluate
Evaluate the appearance and function of your course
Blackboard. Improve your work if necessary.
You can always request a dummy student account so you could
login to see how it will be displayed to students eye.
Keep it simple and clear for students to navigate through your
Blackboard.
Remember, you can make changes and updates at any point so if
you want to add more features later you can.
