Blackboard Technical Tips

Tip: You do not need to look at it all.

Scan What’s on this webpage to see if the category of information matches you.
If the category matches, then scan down the left column of its table to see if the information matches what you are looking for. If it does match, then read to the right.

Favor: If you find something that is not accurate, please let me know by emailing in the course. Thanks!

What’s on this webpage:

Blackboard Tutorials for Students Using Blackboard Tools (Assignment, Discussion, Tests, Mail)

Blackboard Icons for Types of information, What the Icon Indicates, and How You Use the Content

Blackboard Tutorials for Students Using Blackboard Tools (Assignment, Discussion, Tests, Mail)

Icon	Blackboard Tool	Student Tutorial Created by Blackboard
	Assignment	Using a file provided by your instructor, completing it, and then submitting your completed version http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/movies/bb91_student_submit_assignment.htm
	Discussion Board (FYI: In some places, Blackboard calls these Forums.)	Posting your introduction or posting a question in a discussion: http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/movies/bb91_student_creating_new_thread.htm Replying to an introduction or answering a question in a discussion: http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/movies/bb91_student_reply_to_thread.htm Organizing postings, including sorting them http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/movies/bb91_student_organizing_discussion_board_posts.htm
	Test of some type	Taking a test http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/movies/bb91_student_taking_test_online.htm
--	Mail (Available from Messages)	Sending mail. Within our Blackboard course, you send and receive email within the course. The basic instructions here apply to Messages/Course Mail. http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/movies/bb91_student_sending_email.htm

Blackboard Icons for Types of information, What the Icon Indicates, and How You Use the Content

When instructors provide or organize documents or other things with Blackboard, Blackboard automatically applies a specific icon to the type of thing that the instructor is using. This table is to try to give you more power over the content in the course so you know how it works by seeing the icon.

With those things that I build, I try to make the course where you do not have to print but instead you can:

Either view online
Or save to your computer or flash drive

If you need help with this information, just ask.

Icon	Blackboard Purpose	How You Use Them—at Least in This Course
	A folder, a collection	You can tell how to use the item in a folder by its icon—either a Blackboard tool (such as an Assignment or a Test) or a document such as those below.
	Link to a source directly on a Blackboard screen	How Do They Open? These links automatically Open in New Window. That means you can keep them open while you move to other parts of the course. For example, you could have the link to all quiz questions for Quiz A open when you were in posting your question in the Unit 1 Ask and Answer discussion topic.. Can You Save Webpage Content To Your Computer or Flash Drive? With links to videos provided by Dallas TeleLearning, no. FYI: With the collection of Videos in Units 1, 2, and 3 (those created by Dallas TeleLearning), you cannot even click on a video outside of this course. Saving a favorite, for example, will not work. With links that I created, usually, but it may vary. - You can save the content of the webpage (but not any links on it) to your computer or flash drive. - If you want any links on the webpage, you would have to save those separately. *Tip:* the best way to use this webpage again is to save it as a favorite.
	A document or group of documents	How Do They Open? Depending on the type of computer and Internet browser document links may or may not be Open in a New Window automatically and they may fill the frame on the right side of the Blackboard screen. If you want something to Open in a New Window, you can always use the tips in the "Basic Internet Tips" link. Can You Save This Kind of Content To Your Computer or Flash Drive? For all documents provided with this icon, you should be able to view online or save to your computer or flash drive. If you cannot, please tell me and I will try to fix it.
	One of several similar looking icons for types of files	Although it is used in this course, it is not as common as the other icons. How they Open? A similarly-shaped icon in our course that is used for the Course Introduction Video in Getting Started open and fills the right section of the screen.

WCJC Department:	History – Dr. Bibus
Contact Information:	281.239.1577 or bibusc@wcjc.edu
Last Updated:	2013
WCJC Home:	http://www.wcjc.edu/