This document provides an overview of how to enhance course design using Blackboard. It discusses the importance of having a simple, consistent, and user-friendly interface. It also describes how to set up content areas and learning modules to organize course materials. Hands-on examples are given for creating content areas and learning modules. The document also discusses using teaching styles, increasing instructor presence through contact information, and the Qwickly tool for uploading content to multiple courses at once. It concludes with a live demo of embedding Microsoft Sway content into Blackboard.

1. Enhancing Course Design with
Blackboard
Summer Institute 2017
By Amanda Moras and Nicole Trudell

2. INTRODUCTION
Interface: The view the student has when interacting with the course.
The keys to an effective interface
• Simple
• Consistent
• User-friendly
We will begin with the course entry point.
What do you believe the entry point of a course should be?

3. CONTENT AREAS
• Content areas are used as high-level file folders to store
content and information.
• Content areas are completely customizable.
Example: Assignments, Readings OR Week 1, January 18th
What content areas will you create for your course?

4. CONTENT ARAS – HANDS ON
1. Enter your Sandbox Course.
2. Select the in the top left corner.
3. Select from the menu.
4. Enter a name for the content area in the textbox provided.
5. Select the checkbox next to ‘Available to Users’.
6. Select Submit.

5. LEARNING MODULES
• Learning Modules are a storage space for common content.
• For example, in the ‘Week 1’ Learning Module, all content associated will be stored.
• It provides students with a Table of Contents, and allows them to easily navigate
through the course.
• Instructors have the ability to include any descriptions of the learning module
including learning objectives and scheduled events for the week.

6. EXAMPLES OF LEARNING MODULES

7. LEARNING MODULES – HANDS ON
1. Select a Content Area.
2. Select Build > Learning Module.
3. Enter a name in the textbox provided.
4. In the “Text” space, enter any learning objectives or scheduled events.
5. Select Submit.

8. TEACHING STYLES
• Blackboard provides several design templates to add color to your course.
• The content areas can be viewed as links or buttons, both have the ability to
change the color.
• Customize your course by adding a banner image!
Lets apply these features to the course!
Control Panel > Customization > Teaching Styles

9. INCREASING INSTRUCTOR PRESENCE
• Using the contact tool, create a section to inform students of the best contact
method.
Lets apply these features to the course!
+ > Tool Link > Contacts > Create Contact

10. QWICKLY
• Qwickly is a new tool that allows faculty
to upload content to multiple courses at
one time!
Available at: newblackboard.sacredheart.edu

11. MICROSOFT SWAY
LIVE DEMO AND DISCUSSION

12. EMBEDDING SWAY INTO BLACKBOARD

13. QUESTIONS?