What’s new with Blackboard: Summer 2018 update

Author:  Jan Thomson, TELT

There are lots of enhancements and updated features following the annual Blackboard upgrade that recently took place.  Some of the key changes are outlined below, but the full list is available to view via our special upgrade edition of the Blackboard Bulletin. 

Microsoft One Note Class Notebook has now been fully integrated into Blackboard enabling instructors to automatically associate students enrolled on the module with the notebook.

The Medial Mashup tool enables instructors to embed existing media from the VLS, upload new media or create live webcam recordings that can be instantly embedded within the content area of any Blackboard space.

There are several updates to the Blackboard Assignment tool including the ability to annotate using point-based comments and highlighting via Box View.  Instructors and students can also view submission receipts capturing the time of submission, details of any attached files, date and time, etc.  Instructors can also send assignment reminders from the Grade Centre columns to students and members of groups who have missing coursework.

For users of Blackboard Online Tests/Exams we now have the Respondus LockDown browser installed, which when enabled prevents students from printing, copying or accessing other browsers or applications during an assessment.

The Virtual Classroom/Chat Tool and the Video and Audio upload options have now been deprecated and superseded with alternative more robust technologies.

Contact the Blackboard Support Team for further information or advice.