The tutorials below will serve as a helpful resource while developing an online course.

The Center for Active Engagement and Scholarship offers a free Blackboard Standard Template course in your Blackboard Course List. This course will help you develop courses for the upcoming semesters. If you do not see the template course listed in your Course List, please use the Contact Us page to create a ticket.

If you cannot resolve your Blackboard issue or would like to schedule a one-on-one with a Instructional Designer, please use the Contact Us page to create a ticket.

For more non-GSU Blackboard tutorials, please view the help.blackboard.com website.

These tutorials provide instruction on how to utilize Blackboard tools within your course content areas.

  • Getting Started

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    Before viewing other tutorials please make sure you understand the basics of Blackboard. The basics include logging into GSU's Blackboard, accessing the Global Navigation menu, entering and navigating a course, etc. Please use the Blackboard Faculty Orientation course (located in your Course List in Blackboard) as another assistance tool.

     
  • Announcements

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    The Announcements page can be used for publicizing due dates for assignments/projects, changes to the syllabus, corrections of materials, etc.

     
  • Assignments

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    Assignments can be accessed through the Assignments left navigation menu link, or within the Course Content menu link, which may contain learning modules, folders, or lesson plans.

     
  • Blogs

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    A Blog is a personal online journal that is updated regularly for public use. The purpose of Blogs are to encourage students to express their ideas. There is a commenting section below of the Blog for responses and interactions.

      Types of Blogs

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      This tutorial will discuss the different types of Blogs.

      Open the Types of Blogs Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Blogs Topic

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      You can create one or more Blogs for students to use. You must create Blog topics before students can add their entries. This tutorial will discuss how to create Blogs.

      Open the Create Blogs Topic PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Blogs Topic Page

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      This tutorial will discuss how to access the Blog Topic page and the different sections of the Blog Topic page.

      Open the Blogs Topic Page Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Blog Entries

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      This tutorial will discuss how instructors and students can create Blog Entries.

      Open the Create Blog Entries Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Comment on Blog Entry

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      This tutorial will discuss how to comment on student's Blog Entries in Individual, Course, and Group Blogs.

      Open the Comment on Blog Entry Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Manage Blogs

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      You can edit/delete any user's Blog entries, but you can only delete comments. This tutorial will discuss how to manage Blogs.

      Open the Manage Blogs PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Add Blogs Link to Navigation Menu

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      This tutorial will discuss how to add the Blogs link to the left navigation menu.

      Open the Add Blogs Link to Navigation Menu Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Grade Blogs

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      When you enable grading, a column is automatically created in the Grade Center. This tutorial will discuss how to grade Blogs.

      Open the How to Grade Blogs PDF Tutorial to learn more.

     
  • Collaborate Original Web Conferencing

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    Blackboard Collaborate Original is GSU's web conferencing software. If you have a hybrid or online course, your instructor may use this tool in the course. Make sure to install this software before your first session, so you do not miss any course information.

     
  • Collaborate Ultra Web Conferencing

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    Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is the updated GSU web conferencing software. If you have a hybrid or online course, you may use this tool in the course. Make sure to get familiar with this software before you make available to your students.

     
  • Contacts

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    Creating contact information allows students know who is teaching the course. It also provides information such as phone number, email address, office hours, and any other information the instructor may provide.

     
  • Calendar

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    Use the course calendar to keep your students organized with all of the assignment, test, and discussion board due dates.

     
  • Course Messages vs Email

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    The default mode of "email" communication in Blackboard is Course Messages, which can be found in the left navigation menu in each course. As the instructor, you may change this or may not use it at all, so make sure your students know how to get in contact with you.

     
  • Discussion Board

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    The discussion board is a tool for sharing opinions and suggestions about course material.

      About Discussions, Forums, and Threads

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      This tutorial will discuss Discussion Board structure, Discussion Board homepage, Forum page, and Thread page.

      Open the About Discussions, Forums, and Threads Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Discussion Forums

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      This tutorial will discuss suggestions for Forum settings, creating a forum, viewing a forum, and allowing email alerts for new discussion posts.

      Open the Create Discussion Forums Web Tutorial or the Create Discussion Forums Video Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Discussion Threads

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      This tutorial will discuss thread examples, creating a thread, changing a thread's status, filtering the list of threads, and drafting posts.

      Open the Create Discussion Threads Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Reply to Discussion Posts

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      This tutorial will discuss discussion etiquette, replying to threads, and rating posts.

      Open the Reply to Discussion Posts Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Manage Discussions

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      This tutorial will discuss editing forums, editing threads, reordering forums, copying forums, and frequently asked questions.

      Open the Manage Discussions Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Moderate Discussions

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      This tutorial will discuss forum roles, assigning forum roles, and moderation.

      Open the Moderate Discussions Web Tutorial to learn more.

      View Discussion Statistics

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      This tutorial will discuss viewing discussion statistics with the Performance Dashboard tool.

      Open the View Discussion Statistics Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Search and Collect Discussions

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      This tutorial will discuss searching for discussions, collecting posts, filtering and sorting posts, and tagging threads.

      Open the Search and Collect Discussions Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Grade Discussions

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      This tutorial will discuss turning on discussion grading, turning on thread grading, grading forum participation, grading threads, emailing students while grading discussions, and grading group discussions.

      Open the Grade Discussions Web Tutorial to learn more.

     
  • Global Navigation Menu

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    The Global Navigation Menu, or My Blackboard, is a menu where you can access several tools from anywhere inside Blackboard. This is also where you create a myEDU account to add an avatar. The avatar will show in Discussions, Blogs, Wikis, and Journals.

      Access Global Navigation Menu

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      This tutorial will show you where you can access the global navigation menu and what items are available.

      Open the Access Global Navigation Menu PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Create MyEdu Account

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create a new MyEdu profile. You must create a MyEdu account in order to upload an Avatar.

      Open the Create MyEdu Account PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Add Avatar to MyEdu Account

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      This tutorial will discuss how to upload a picture to your myEDU account. This picture will show in the global navigation menu, journals, blogs, discussions, and wikis.

      Open the Add Avatar to MyEdu Account PDF Tutorial to learn more.

     
  • Journals

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    Journals are a private space students can use to communicate with you. This tool can also be used as a student self-reflective tool for opinions, ideas, etc.

     
  • My Institution

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    The My Institution page is the first page you are directed to when you login to Blackboard. You may customize this page by changing the theme, adding or removing modules, and editing content in certain modules.

     
  • Online Attendance

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    Online Attendance is a great way to keep track of which students are attending class. This will not only show the instructor the records of each student, but will show the student of their own attendance.

      Setup Online Attendance For Single Course

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      Unfortunately this tool has been discontinued.

      If you would like to setup attendance for your class, please contact Blackboard Support.

     
  • Rubrics

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    A rubric is a scoring tool that allows you to analyze graded material.

      Create Rubrics

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create rubrics. Once the rubrics are created, it will provide transparency in your grading methods.

      Open the Create Rubrics Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Associate Rubrics

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      This tutorial will discuss how to link a graded item to a rubric for more efficient grading.

      Open the Associate Rubrics Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Manage Rubrics

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      This tutorial will discuss how to edit, copy, or delete rubrics.

      Open the Manage Rubrics Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Grade With Rubrics

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      This tutorial will discuss how to grade with rubrics and run rubric evaluation reports.

      Open the Grade With Rubrics Web Tutorial to learn more.

     
  • SafeAssign

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    SafeAssign is a plagiarism detection software embedded into the Blackboard assignment tool.

      SafeAssign FAQs

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      This tutorial will discuss SafeAssign frequently asked questions.

      Open the SafeAssign FAQs Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Use SafeAssign in Assignments

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      This tutorial will discuss enabling SafeAssign in assignments, excluding submissions, supported files, originality reports, suggesting new URLs, and the Global Reference Database.

      Open the Use SafeAssign in Assignments Web Tutorial to learn more.

      SafeAssign Originality Reports

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      This tutorial will discuss accessing the report, reporting layout, multiple attachments and attempts, and interpreting SafeAssign scores.

      Open the SafeAssign Originality Reports Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Grade With SafeAssign

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      This tutorial will discuss using the SafeAssign Originality Report to grade.

      Open the Grade With SafeAssign Web Tutorial to learn more.

     
  • Tests, Surveys, and Pools

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    Tests and Surveys will allow you to measure the students knowledge of the material, progress, and other student information. Pools will allow you to gather questions from several tests to make one customized test.

      Create Tests and Surveys

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      This tutorial will discuss creating tests or surveys, adding questions, adding tests or surveys to content areas.

      Open the Create Tests and Surveys Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Question Settings

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      This tutorial will discuss the question settings page, changing question settings, assigning partial credit, using negative points, and awarding extra credit.

      Open the Question Settings Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Test and Survey Options

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      This tutorial will discuss multiple attempts, Force completion, timer, password, restricting location, test availability exceptions, due dates, results and feedback options, and test or survey presentation.

      Open the Test and Survey Options Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Question Types

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      This tutorial will discuss the different types of test questions.

      Open the Question Types Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Edit Tests and Questions

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      This tutorial will discuss accessing the test and survey canvas, editing questions, deleting questions, reordering questions, and deleting tests and surveys.

      Open the Edit Tests and Questions Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Reuse Questions

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      This tutorial will discuss information regarding the Find Questions page, copying questions, linking to questions, and finding questions.

      Open the Reuse Questions Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Grade Tests

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      This tutorial will discuss accessing tests to grade, information on Grade Test page, Grade tests by question, deleting or changing the value of questions.

      Open the Grade Tests Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Test and Survey Results

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      This tutorial will discuss viewing column statistics, viewing attempts statistics, downloading results, and formatting options.

      Open the Test and Survey Results Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Resolve Student Issues with Tests

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      This tutorial will discuss submitting tests for students, clearing test attempts, and accessing the test access log.

      Open the Resolve Student Issues with Tests Web Tutorial to learn more.

      If you approve to allow the student an additional attempt, you may hide the student's test attempt, so they make retake. Open the Allow Student Additional Test Attempt Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Item Analysis

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      This tutorial will discuss running item analysis on tests, test summary on item analysis page, question statistics table on item analysis page, viewing question details for single question, and multiple attempts, question overrides, and question edits.

      Open the Item Analysis Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Question Pools

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      This tutorial will discuss the Pool Canvas, building pools, and editing pools.

      Open the Question Pools Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Random Blocks

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      This tutorial will discuss information regarding random blocks, creating random questions, editing random blocks, and deleting random blocks.

      Open the Random Blocks Web Tutorial to learn more.

     
  • Wikis

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    Wikis allow students and instructors to collaborate course related materials on one or more pages.

      Benefits of Wikis

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      This tutorial will discuss the benefits of using wikis in online courses.

      Open the Benefits of Wikis Web Tutorial to learn more.

      When to Use Wikis

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      This tutorial will discuss when you should use Wikis in an online course.

      Open the When to Use Wikis Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Parts of Wikis

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      This tutorial will discuss the Wiki topics, Wiki pages, and Wiki listing pages.

      Open the Parts of Wikis Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Wiki Topics

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create Wiki topics in an online course.

      Open the Create Wiki Topics Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Wiki Topic Page

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      This tutorial will discuss what the Wiki topic page is and where to access this page.

      Open the Wiki Topic Page Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Wikis Listing Pages

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      This tutorial will discuss the Wikis menu, Availability, Student Access, Type column, and Edit Properties.

      Open the Wikis Listing Pages Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Wiki Pages

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create Wiki pages.

      Open the Create Wiki Pages Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Link to Other Wiki Pages

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      This tutorial will discuss how to link Wiki pages to other pages to help organize information for easy access.

      Open the Link to Other Wiki Pages Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Comment On Wiki Pages

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      This tutorial will discuss where to comment on Wiki pages and how to comment.

      Open the Comment On Wiki Pages Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Manage Wikis

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      This tutorial will discuss editing Wiki content and deleting Wikis.

      Open the Manage Wikis Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Add Wikis Link to Navigation Menu

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      This tutorial will discuss how to add the Wikis link to the left navigation menu.

      Open the Add Wikis Link to Navigation Menu Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Grade Wikis

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      This tutorial will discuss how Wiki grades behave, changing topics from graded to ungraded, viewing participation contribution, viewing the participation summary, page comparison, grading Wiki contributions, grading group Wikis, and giving different grades to group members.

      Open the Grade Wikis Web Tutorial to learn more.

     
 

Organize your materials in weekly modules or folders and add web links, course links, and files.

  • Upload Content

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    From any Blackboard content area action menu, you will have the ability to add web links, course links, and files using the Built Content button.

      Create Item

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create Blackboard Items, which are read only text. Items are useful to display learning objectives and readings.

      Open the Create Item PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Create File

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      This tutorial will discuss how to upload files from your computer or your Blackboard course's File Manager and add to a content area. Files are useful if you would like to share documents with students. These files can be opened in a supported web browser or downloaded to the students computer to open with the appropriate software.

      Open the Create File PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Web Link

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      This tutorial will discuss how to add web links to a content area. Web links are useful if you would like to direct students to online databases, articles, or videos.

      Open the Create Web Link PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Learning Module

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create learning modules in a content area. Learning modules are great tools for organizing weekly materials.

      Open the Create Learning Module PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Course Link

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      This tutorial will discuss how to link to another area in a Blackboard course. Link to other content areas, folders, files, assignments, etc.

      Open the Create Course Link PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Content Folder

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create content folders in a content area. Content folders are an alternative to learning modules for organizing weekly materials.

      Open the Create Content Folder PDF Tutorial to learn more.

     
  • Course Menu

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    The course navigation (left) menu allows for users to click on content areas or tool links to direct them to the appropriate page. Content areas are for weekly modules, syllabi, assignments, and tests. Tool Links are for discussions, My Grades, Collaborate Ultra, etc.

      Create Content Area

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create content area pages. Content area pages are great for adding course materials such as weekly modules, web links, files, etc. Many of these pages are already created in a Blackboard course: Syllabus & Orientation, Course Content, Assignments, and Quizzes and Exams.

      Open the Create Content Area PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Tool Link

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      This tutorial will discuss how to tool links. Tool links are great for adding course tools such as discussions, instructor contact information, grades etc. Many of these pages are already created in a Blackboard course: Discussion Board, Instructor, My Grades, etc.

      Open the Create Tool Link PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Create Divider

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create divider. Dividers are great for grouping menu links. Separate course information from course activities from course communication.

      Open the Create Dividers PDF Tutorial to learn more.

     
 

These tutorials provide instruction on how to manage your Blackboard course and settings.

 

CAES has additional software available to users. The software availability is subject to annual license renewal.

  • Respondus

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    GSU owns a university-wide subscription to Repondus. Respondus is a software program that allows you to easily create new quizzes/surveys or upload your existing tests to Blackboard. If you would like to get started with Respondus, please contact Blackboard Support by email (blackboard@govst.edu) to provide a license. Download the GSU campus version of Respondus 4.0.

    View the following tutorials to create exams. Please make sure your Edit Mode button is ON inside Blackboard. If it is set to OFF, the upload process will not work.

      Respondus Setup

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      This tutorial will discuss where to download and how to install Respondus on your PC.

      Open the Respondus Setup PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Update Respondus

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      This tutorial will discuss how to update your Respondus License. The license is updated every July 31st. If you need a new license, please contact blackboard@govst.edu.

      Open the Update Respondus PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Respondus Server Settings

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      This tutorial will discuss how to add a new server to Respondus. The server includes your Blackboard information such as your username/password and course sections. By creating a new server, Respondus will be able to convert the test file and place in any content area within your course.

      Open the Respondus Server Settings PDF Tutorial to learn more.

      Respondus Exam Wizard

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      The Respondus Exam Wizard is the quickest way to create an exam using an existing set of questions.

      Open the Respondus Exam Wizard Video Tutorial to learn more.

      Create and Format Questions

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      This tutorial will discuss how to create and format questions using the edit menu in Respondus.

      Open the Create and Format Questions Video Tutorial to learn more.

      Import Questions

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      This tutorial will discuss how to import exam questions from other formats.

      Open the Import Questions Video Tutorial to learn more.

      Publish to a Blackboard Course

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      This tutorial will discuss how to take an exam in Respondus and publish it to Blackboard.

      Open the Publish to a Blackboard Course Video Tutorial to learn more.

      Use Publisher Test Banks

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      This tutorial will discuss how to gain access to publisher test banks and publish it to your Blackboard course, using Respondus.

      Open the Use Publisher Test Banks Video Tutorial to learn more.

     
  • VoiceThread

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    VoiceThread is an interactive collaboration and sharing tool that enables users to add images, documents, and videos. Users can add voice, text, audio file, or video comments. This software is integrated into the Tools section of a content area within Blackboard. To view more about VoiceThread, please use the link below.

     
 

These mobile apps will be available after the Winter Blackboard Update.

Blackboard has two apps for mobile devices. One for access course content and connecting with student discussions. The other is for mobile grading.

  • Blackboard Instructor App

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    The Blackboard Instructor app allows you to view course content and connect with students. This mobile app is available on iOS, Android, and Windows.

     
  • Bb Grader

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    Bb Grader is a Blackboard app that allows you to grade on the go. This portable solution allows instructors to review, provide feedback, and grade assignments.

      Bb Grader Overview

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      This tutorial will provide information about the Bb Grader app.

      Open the Bb Grader Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Assignment List

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      This tutorial will discuss how the assignments are listed, the Progress Bar, Assignments Filter, how to access the Submission List Page, and View Another Course.

      Open the Assignment List Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Submission List

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      This tutorial will discuss the Submission list, Assignment Details, Heading Categories, Grade a Submission, and Missing Submissions.

      Open the Submission List Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Group Submissions

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      This tutorial will discuss how to grade a Group Submission, View Group Members, and Grade Group Members Individually.

      Open the Group Submissions Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Apply Grades

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      This tutorial will discuss how to apply a grade to a submission.

      Open the Apply Grades Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Use Rubrics

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      This tutorial will discuss how to use Rubrics and Apply a Score.

      Open the Use Rubrics Web Tutorial to learn more.

      Send Grades

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      This tutorial will discuss how to send all grades at once to the Grade Center.

      Open the Send Grades Web Tutorial to learn more.