By Kyle Virden
Blackboard Learn will be updated to the latest version over winter break. Blackboard Learn is an organizational tool for students, as well as for instructors.
Ellen Hendrix, educational technology specialist at SE, said that the new features and usability enhancements are designed to create a better workflow and user experience.
Hendrix said, “Updating Blackboard learn periodically is necessary in order to provide the most up-to-date teaching and learning tools. In addition, staying up-to-date ensures that we have full Blackboard technical support, when needed.”
As with any software, when new versions are released, technical support is discontinued for the older versions.
Some of the new features of the update include, Inline Grading, which will provide students with marked-up documents and instant feedback, accessible directly from the My Grades Tab.
Video Everywhere will provide further enrichment for students as it provides a way for students to easily record, embed and reuse a video throughout a course.
The new Blackboard Learn will have a more modern look and feel, and have a new global navigation feature that will put students’ grades and assignments at their fingertips. With a redesigned calendar, updates and notifications will keep students informed of due dates and events, said Hendrix.
Blackboard Learn isn’t just for students, according to Hendrix.
Hendrix said, “Blackboard is the vehicle that allows online students to access assignments and materials, submit assignments, take tests online, participate in engaging discussion and communicate with instructors in an online environment. When instructors utilize the Grade Center, students have immediate access to their grades in Blackboard,” said Hendrix.
This allows students and instructors to interface much as they would in a face-to-face classroom setting.
Blackboard Learn is a versatile tool that provides an efficient way to distribute information and keep important documentation in a central location for students and faculty, in both online and face-to-face classes.
In spring 2002, the first year with Blackboard, there were 74 Blackboard courses. For fall 2013, there are 581 Blackboard courses, of which only 148 are online classes, according to Hendrix..
For students and instructors on the go, there is also a Blackboard Mobile Learn application for smart phones that is very popular, according to Hendrix.
For more information about the new updates to Blackboard Learn, students can browse to the Bb login page (https://blackboard.se.edu) and click Student Support, located below the login boxes.
In addition, students who are enrolled in at least one Bb course will automatically be enrolled in the Bb Orientation course, accessible when students’ log in to Blackboard. Spring 2014 Blackboard courses will be available during the week of Jan. 6, 2014.