This document provides an overview of the tools available in Blackboard and how they can be used for different pedagogical purposes. It evaluates each tool based on ease of use, information transfer, ability to assess learning, communication and interaction capabilities, and ability for co-creating content. The Discussion Forum tool is highlighted as being versatile and able to be used for many learning activities beyond just in-depth discussion, such as debates, weekly reports, and peer reviews. Overall, the document serves as a guide for tutors on selecting the appropriate Blackboard tools to achieve their learning objectives and encourage student engagement.

1. BlackBoard Guide for Tutors
Learning Technologists, The Business School
What do you EASE OF USE INFORMATION ASSESS LEARNING COMMUNICATION CO-CREATE
want to achieve
(PEDAGOGY)? How easy can this be TRANSFER Will this tool allow & INTERACTION CONTENT
to set up and used Is it a tool for you to assess your Can it be used for Can you & your
by you? sharing information students’ learning? communicating & students collaborate
What do you
want to do from you to your interaction among & create content
(TECHNOLOGY)? students? participants? together?
ANNOUNCEMENT Easy, students will Yes: Only tutors No: Announcements No: It is a one-way Maybe: Link to
Communicate dates, see Announcements can add an are a one-way communication tool Discussion Forums
exams, results, room when they access Announcement to a publishing tool, for for tutors only. No (DFs) to continue
changes, resources, the Unit and you Unit, with links tutors only. option for students discussion or
weblinks, etc. can email it as well. and/or files. to contribute. collaborative work.
ADD RESOURCE Easy, like an email Yes: Only tutors Maybe: Use to give No: It is a Maybe: Use to give
Upload a learning attachment. But can can upload files to feedback. Collect distribution tool. No feedback. Collect
resource (Word file, your document the Unit – definitely student files option for student files
PDF, PowerPoint stand on its own? a push-tool. through Forum or interaction or through Forum or
presentation, etc). Assignment. communication. Assignment.
ADD RESOURCE Easy, copy the link Yes: Very easy way No: Option is to link Maybe: Link to Maybe: Link to
Link to website or (the URL) and paste of leading students to external student external tools e.g. external tools e.g.
web page. it into your Unit as to information. You e-portfolio or e-portfolio, e-portfolio,
either ‘External Link’ can link to online blogging system to blogging, wiki blogging, wiki
or in part of ‘Item’. resources and files. make this Yes. systems. systems.
* DISCUSSION Easy, DFs have Maybe: Share Maybe: Forum is Yes: Students Yes: Students can
FORUM usable default resources as links or versatile and allows communicate with collaborate, explore
Use for many types settings; ‘name’ and files. High message assessment you and peers, topics, discuss them
of Learning Activities. ‘description’ is volume and risk or providing the scene individually or in and write together
enough to start. losing info. is set by tutor. group. using DFs.
QUIZ/TEST/MCQ Tricky, but easier if No: Tests are aimed Yes: You can time- No: Tests are aimed No: Tests are aimed
Use to assess using materials from at assessment, not release, choose at assessment, not at assessment, not
learning; formative or Publisher and to distribute different question for communication. for communication.
summative. Respondus to information. types, and give or Tip: Use DF, Wiki or Tip: Use DF or Wiki
upload. withhold marks. even Blog instead. instead.
WIKI Easier with practice. Yes: Very easy way Maybe: Versatile Maybe: Not Yes: Students can
Use for many types Use BlackBoard of leading students for assessment, suitable for explore topics and
of Learning Activities. Groups to split to information. You providing students discussion, but good collaborate on the
cohort into study can link to online have explanation on for collaborative write-up.
groups. resources and files. what is assessed. writing or planning.
BLOG Easier with practice. Maybe: Depends Maybe: Versatile Maybe: Not Maybe: Settings
Use for reflective Use settings to keep on reason for using for assessment, suitable for can allow cohort to
writing or student posts Blog, but your input providing students discussion. read all posts, but
development private or open up into Blog will be have explanation on collaboration not
activities. to whole Cohort. required. what is assessed. possible in blog.
ASSIGNMENT Easy, choose from No: Assignments Yes: Set date and No: Assignments No: Assignments
Use to collect, assess simple upload or via are not to be used time for release and are not intended for are not intended co-
and provide feedback anti-plagiarism to distribute submission. Collect interaction or creation of content.
on assignments. software Turnitin. Learning Materials. assignments and communication. Tip: Use DF or Wiki
provide feedback. instead.
* DISCUSSION FORUM: Be creative: it doesn’t always have to be an in-depth discussion. Other Good fit for Good fit for Not best
activity ideas include class debate, team discussion, weekly report, project news, web search
results (to share), role play, feedback, peer-review, assessment support, study support, etc.
Key: intended
use
job, but
consider
alternatives
tool for job
Modified from: “Moodle Tool Guide for Teachers” by Joyce Seitzinger. May 2010