Blackboard

Blackboard is a web-based learning management system (LMS) which provides an online platform for student interaction and access to course materials. Instructors create and manage these spaces with simple authoring tools within Blackboard.

Features

• Grade center – Customizable grade book with views, periods, statistics, etc.
• Self and Peer Assessment Tool – Useful for peer feedback of writing performance
• Group Management Tools – Create and manage student groups
• Discussion Board – Foster discussions beyond the classroom
• E-Mail – To mass communicate with students
• Early Warning System – Set alerts for student assignments
• Languages – English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, and Japanese

Access & Support
Instructors can create Blackboard sites for any of their courses in the University class schedule by using the Course Management Utility, accessible through RouteY (or directly at http://coursemanagement.byu.edu). Once a course shell has been created, instructors can access the course by going directly to http://blackboard.byu.edu or by using the Blackboard link in the “School” menu in RouteY. The Office of Information Technology provides training for beginners and intermediate users (it@byu.edu, 422-4000). The CTL Walk-In Center is also available for pedagogical training (422-8008) and offers online step-by-step tutorials and “best practices” recommendations (http://ctl.byu.edu/home/tools/blackboard-backpack). Blackboard has also provides “quick tutorials” for both instructors and students (http://www.blackboard.com/quicktutorials/quicktutorials.htm).