Blackboard Instructor Help

Professor listening to a speaker

is the University of ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ’s virtual learning environment. It provides a course site to manage your classes, share resources and files, post and grade assignments, hold online discussions, and more.

 

Blackboard Learn

Blackboard Learn is UAA’s primary online space for courses. It includes tools for several common instructional functions.

  • Getting Started in Blackboard

    Getting Started in Blackboard

    At UAA, new Blackboard course shells are created automatically each semester and students are added to the course as they enroll. Students can’t see the course, however, until the instructor when it’s ready for them.

    If you are new to Blackboard or want a refresher, start with these UAA-specific resources, which cover basic course setup, posting your syllabus and a welcome announcement, and organizing content:

    • webinar (video, 20:10)
    • (5 videos, 16:47 total)

     

    Blackboard Help

    Visit for step-by-step instructions for common functions or watch the (95 videos). Our Blackboard Learn course view is Original, not Ultra.

    Reuse a Course

    To reuse content from a previous Blackboard shell, you can choose from two similar methods: (one step) or and (two steps). Follow these tips for a successful copy:

    • Start by going to Packages and Utilities in the "old" course
    • Select All components and then uncheck any you don’t want (e.g., Announcements)
    • For Discussions, include only the forums, with no starter posts
    • Grade Center Columns and Settings must be checked for assignments, tests or anything connected to the grade center to copy over correctly
    • Keep the default settings for File Attachments (links and copies of the files)
    • Do not Include Enrollments in the Copy

     

    Blackboard Ultra

    If you are part of the Blackboard Ultra Course Conversion pilot, please start with the for assistance with Ultra. If you are teaching a course in Blackboard Ultra and have not registered for that pilot, contact uaa_design@alaska.edu immediately.

  • Accessibility in Blackboard

    Accessibility in Blackboard

    Blackboard is fully committed to ensuring the platform contains no barriers for users with disabilities and is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability or situation. 

    • : Ally lets students convert files to their preferred format (e.g., DOCX to MP3 for listening) and gives instructors feedback and guidance on how to make their content more accessible. Students do not see the Ally accessibility scores
  • Blackboard Communication Tools

    Blackboard Communication Tools

    Blackboard has . In addition, UAA has added several third party tools to Blackboard for student engagement, including Zoom Meetings for web-conferencing (see the Third Party Tools tab for more). 

    You can use these tools for student introductions, in-depth content conversations, posting presentations, and more. Our Peer Interaction page includes additional information on using Blackboard tools.

  • Assessment and Grading in Blackboard

    Assessment and Grading in Blackboard

    You can use and to collect student work in the and provide feedback to students.

    Additional resources:

Blackboard Third Party Tools

These tools inside Blackboard are supported through collaborative efforts of UAA and the vendor. If your program is interested in integrating a different third party tool with Blackboard, review the UAA Blackboard use policy for the process.

Zoom Meetings

video/web conferencing is integrated into Blackboard at UAA. (Blackboard also has an internal tool, Collaborate Ultra.) Zoom lets you share files and applications, use virtual whiteboards, communicate via audio/video/chat, divide students into breakout rooms, and more. If you set Zoom meetings through your Blackboard course and choose to record the meeting automatically to the cloud, Zoom recordings will automatically post to the Zoom area of your Blackboard course. Please review our Web Conferencing page for more details.

Kaltura Media

Faculty, staff and students have access to Kaltura Media, within Blackboard, to create and share videos and other media as course content. Please review our Creating Videos page for more information.

VoiceThread

VoiceThread is an interactive visual collaboration and sharing tool that can be used for discussion boards, instructor lectures, student presentations, and more. 

Please review our Peer Interaction page for more information. Visit to get started with VoiceThread.

Teaching with Blackboard

Almost all UAA courses use Blackboard to share course information, such as the syllabus. Most face-to-face instructors use Blackboard for some functions like posting reminders, sharing materials, collecting assignments, and tracking grades. Online and hybrid courses also frequently use Blackboard-integrated tools for communication, peer interaction, course activities, and assessments.

These resources can help you develop your courses and teaching strategies to use Blackboard effectively:

Assistance

Information Technology Services

If you need assistance with computer or software support; internet or wireless issues; username or password help; or technical questions regarding Blackboard, please call UAA Technical Support Center at 907-786-4646 or 877-633-3888 or via email at uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu. For more information, visit the Information Technology Services website.

Instructional Design Support

For more assistance on designing and teaching your courses, please visit UAA Faculty Development & Instructional Support, or contact the Instructional Design team at 907-786-6219 or via email at uaa_design@alaska.edu. Instructors at Kenai Peninsula College can contact the for assistance.

Disability Support Services 

If you have questions or concerns about accommodations or if you need additional information regarding student requests for assistance, call DSS at 907-786-4530 (voice) or via email at uaa_dss@alaska.edu. For more information, visit the Disability Support Services website.

 

Faculty Development & Instructional Support 
Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence, Academic Innovations & eLearning, and Center for Community Engagement and Learning 
Library 213 â€¢ 907-786-4496 â€¢ uaa_cafe@alaska.edu â€¢ Monday â€“ Friday, 8 a.m. –&²Ô²ú²õ±è;5 p.m.